In order to evaluate organic N availability to oats and corn, a microplot experiment was carried out using 20 types of soil from Rio Grande do Sul State, Brazil. Microplots consisted of 20 L soil plastic pots with free drainage, maintained in an open area, with supplemental irrigation when necessary. N taken up by oats (Avena strigosa) and three corn (Zea mays) crops grown in successions was evaluated. Soil total-N and organic matter contents were initially determined as well as N extracted by acid 0.05 mol L-1 KMnO4, phosphate-borate buffer and by 2 mol L-1 KCl at 100°C and 95°C temperature for 4 and 16 hours, respectively, on samples taken before each crop. N extracted by 2 mol L-1 KCl at 95°C for 16 hours showed the highest correlation coefficient with total-N taken up by plants from all crops. Liming soil to pH 6.0 increased the correlation coefficients for all the tested methods.
N-absorbed; method selection; mineralization; microplots; corn; oats