Fate of nitrogen from artichoke crop residues: a lysimeter study

The fate of N from artichoke (Cynara cardunculus L. var. scolymus (L.)) residues is quantified with a lysimeter study of 15N-labelled residues in an artichoke-cauliflower (Brassica oleracea L. cv. botrytis) rotation observed between 1998 and 2004. At the end of the three year crop rotation, 6% of N in artichoke residue was leached, 8% was exported by crops, 86% remained in the lysimeter. Summed over the rotation, 16% of artichoke N residue was absorbed by artichoke and 14% by cauliflower. Total aboveground N uptake ranged from 370-534 kg N ha-1, of which 207-311 kg N ha-1 returned to the soil as residues. Nitrate leaching was reduced by cauliflower.