A field experiment was conducted at the forage experimental plots, Seoul National University, Suweon h m 1995 to 1996 to determine the effect of legume residues as a N source and N fertilizer on corn (Zea mays L.) silage yield, N uptake, and availability of inorganic N in the soil. Corn was grown following (i) red clover (Trifolium pratense L.), (ii) crimson clover (Trifolium incarnatum L.), (iii) alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) and (iv) winter fallow. The plots were split into two rates of fertilizer N (0 and 90kg Nlha) in a split-plot experimental plan. Compared with fallow treatment, legumes depleted soil water in the surface 15cm at corn planting by 17 to 26%. As a result, corn emergence was markedly delayed with legume residues by 8 to 11 days. Corn silage DM yield was significantly reduced in the presence of legume residues by 2.0 to 3.4 and 1.5 to 2.5 tonlha compared with winter fallow treatment at 0 and 90kg fertilizer Nlha, respectively, but no significant difference in the corn DM yield was found between legume residue treatments. There was an overall tendency for increased corn yields with 90kg fertilizer Nlha compared to Okg fertilizer Nlha, although not all yield increases were significantly greater. The corn yield response to applied N suggests that a source of N from legume residues was not sufficient for a succeeding corn crop. There was significantly more N (P<O.O5) in the corn plants at both silking and late dent stages fertilized with 90kg Nlha on legume residue plots compared to winter fallow plots. Legume residues did not increase the total inorganic N content of the soil during the early stage of corn growth, but a considerable increase was observed after the period of corn silking except in the case of crimson clover residue. Thus, we conclude that legume residues are not capable of providing a substantial portion of the N required by subsequent corn under the relatively dry conditions of May in Korea.