Soluble organic matter and microbial biomass C and N in soils under pasture and arable management and the leaching of organic C, N and nitrate in a lysimeter study

The leaching of organic C, N and NO3− from these soils was also measured over a 6-month period in a greenhouse lysimeter study. The soils were either left undisturbed or were disturbed (broken into clods <50 mm diameter) to simulate tillage and stimulate microbial activity. Quantities of organic C and N leached were greater from the kikuyu than other treatments and tended to be greatest from the disturbed kikuyu soil. The percentage of total soil N leached as organic N was considerably greater than that of total organic C leached as soluble C. Leaching of NO3− was greatest from the disturbed kikuyu soil and least from the undisturbed kikuyu soil. The mean percentage of total soluble N present in organic form in leachates ranged from 17 to 32% confirming the importance of this form of N to leaching losses of N from agricultural soils.