Abstract
During the microplot experiment with two soddy podzolic and eight grey forest soils it was shown that estimation of total mineral N (NO3 − exchangeable and nonexchangeable NH4 +) in pre‐experiment soil samples might help to estimate N deficiency in soil. The values of total mineral N correlated with “A"‐values and had the minimum spatial and seasonal variability in soil. The technique of total mineral N determination is suggested.