Equilibrium-tension lysimeters were used to quantify year-round drainage, inorganic nitrogen (N) concentrations, and inorganic N leaching losses from undisturbed Plano silt loam soil (fine-silty, mixed, mesic Typic Argiudoll) of N-fertilized no-tillage and conventionally-tilled chisel plow corn (Zea mays L.) agroecosystems for 1996, 1997, and 1998. The chisel plowed corn agroecosystem consistently had greater drainage losses of water from its soil profile than a notillage corn agroecosystem over the 3 year period. Both fertilized tillage treatments maintained nitrate-N concentrations above the 10 mg L-1 safe drinking water standard for the majority of the three growing seasons monitored between 1996 and 1998. Inorganic N leaching losses were nearly the same for both fertilized corn tillage treatments for the first 2 years of this 3 year study. During the third year, inorganic N leaching losses from the fertilized no-tillage corn agroecosystem were greater than inorganic N leaching losses from the fertilized chisel plow corn agroecosystem.