A field study was conducted for 5 yr (1993-1997) to evaluate the effects of
green manure residues applied to the soil in 1993 and 1995, on wheat (Trit
icum aestivum L.) yields and N nutrition as subsequent crop in 1994, 1996 a
nd 1997. The effect of green manure application was also evaluated on soil
microbial activity (CO2), on C and N contents of whole soil and on labile (
LF) and heavy fractions (HF) of organic matter (On. The experiment was init
iated on a Le Bras silt loam (Humic Gleysol). The green manures, as a main
factor, were clover (Trifolium pratense L.), buckwheat (Fagapyrum esculentu
m L.), millet (Echinicloa crus galli L.), mustard (Brassica hirta Moench),
and colza (Brassica campestris L.), and there was a control without green m
anure. The sub-factors consisted of four N fertilizer rates for wheat in th
e subsequent years at 0, 30, 60 and 90 kg N ha(-1). Broadcast application o
f N-15- labelled NH4NO3, was made in 90 kg N ha(-1) fertilizer treatments.
Two green manure applications did not influence the C and N contents of den
simetric fractions of OM (LF and HF), but significantly increased those of
whole soil, and microbial respiration (CO2). Green manures significantly in
creased wheat yields and N uptake in 1994 and 1996. Levels of N derived fro
m fertilizer (Ndff) were lower in all green manure treatments as compared t
o the control, which indicates that the proportion of N derived from soil a
nd green manures (% Ndfs) was higher in these treatments. The contribution
of N from green manure varied in the following order: buckwheat < clover <
mustard < millet < colza. With the exception of the clover treatment (< 100
%), the N recoveries from the other green manure N (NRGM) ranged from 23 to
34% and from 19 to 36 % for 1994 and 1996, respectively. Green manure appl
ication provided 15 to 24 kg N ha(-1) in 1994 and from 16 to 36 kg N ha(-1)
in 1996 and this contribution accounted for 25 to 31 % of the total wheat
N uptake. Significant green manure effects on wheat yield and N nutrition w
ere primarily due to the improvement of soil properties and to high N recov
eries from the green manure. In the cold temperate climate of Quebec, green
manure incorporation into soil in late summer or early fall of the precedi
ng year allowed N synchronization with wheat N needs in subsequent cropping
seasons. Nitrogen fertilizer rates could be reduced after the incorporatio
n of green manures having high yields and N contents in the previous season
.