Soil carbon and nitrogen dynamics under zone tillage of varying intensities in a kura clover living mulch system

•The effect of zone tillage intensity on C/N cycling in a living mulch was determined.•High intensity zone till added greater inorganic N in crop rows two weeks post-tillage.•Quantity of incorporated kura clover biomass appeared to govern nutrient cycling.•High intensity zone till reduced kura clover regrowth into rows after spring tillage.