Organic Carbon, Nitrogen Accumulation and Nitrogen Leaching as Affected by Legume Crop Residues on Sandy Loam in the Eastern Baltic Region.

Legumes have a wide range of positive effects on soil properties, including nitrogen and carbon storage, soil structure and the phytosanitary condition of crops. From an agronomic point of view, legumes are most valued for their ability to take up atmospheric nitrogen in symbiosis with nitrogen-fixing bacteria. The aim of this research was to determine the effect of legume residues (peas, fodder beans, narrow-leaved lupins) on the N (N) and organic carbon (C) accumulation in soil and N leaching under temperate climate conditions.