Effect of long-term fertilization on the nitrogen status of leached chernozem and the nitrogen balance in a grain–beet crop rotation

Abstract

It has been revealed that the 70-year-long application of fertilizers to a sugar beet crop rotation in the forest-steppe of the Central Chernozemic Zone has significantly affected the nitrogen status of leached chernozem and increased the content of mineral nitrogen and the mobility of nitrogen compounds. High application rates of mineral fertilizers create a positive nitrogen balance in the crop rotation and could minimize the losses of total nitrogen in the future.