Gains and losses of mineral elements in an irrigated soil during a 20-year lysimeter investigation

In addition to data on nitrogen gains and losses, a summary of all data on gains and losses of seven other mineral elements in a soil irrigated, fertilized, and cropped for 20 years in large lysimeters is presented. Granitic-derived residual soil (Holland loam) was winter-treated with applications of cereal straw and with the growth of various covercrops, each in combination with nitrogen from Ca(NO3)2. Summer crops were barley and Sudangrass. Winter crops were returned to the soil, but summer crops were not. Aboveground portions of all crops were removed, weighed, and samples taken for analysis. Total nitrogen and carbon in the soil, at varying depths and times and with different covercrops, was measured. Variation in yields of different covercrops under varying nitrogen applications were observed.