> Hello - I am very interested in learning of any information relating to the
> loss of nitrogen from legume or grass cover crop residues that are left on
> the soil surface. This issue is rapidly gaining in importance as more and
> more tree and vine crop growers are using cover crops with nontillage (or
> tillage only at the time of cover crop seeding). Growers wishing to credit
> the residue as a source of nitrogen are often told that up to half or more
> of the nitrogen is volatilized into the atmosphere if it is not disked in.
> Do we have any data, especially under California conditions? Apparently,
> the loss may be related to the amount of wetting and drying of the residue,
> so loss likely varies among climates, irrigation systems, and soil types.
> Any feedback would be greatly appreciated.
I always thought that the Nitrogen was being fixed in the root system of
the plant .
> >
Sal Schettino,Organic Farmer,don't panic eat organic,sals@rain.org
or check out my homepage: http://www.rain.org/~sals/my.html .