The chemical leaching is largely related to the land use and associated management practices. The aim of this study was to examine leaching of NO3-N, NH4-N and PO4-P from tilled and orchard silty loam soil in column experiments. The experimental objects included: a conventionally tilled field with main tillage operations including pre-plow (0.1 m) + harrowing, mouldboard ploughing (0.2 m), and a 35 year-old apple orchard with a permanent sward. Concentrations in the leachate and total leaching of NO3-N were greater and those of NH4-N were lower in the CT than in the OR soil. Irrespective of the management system total percentage of the NO3-N collected in the leachate correspond to 15.5-17.2% of applied NO3-N and was substantially greater than that of NH4-N (0.47-0.85%). Leaching of the indigenous PO4-P was appreciably greater from the tilled soil than from the orchard soil. The stained surface area at the 2-8 cm horizontal sections was greater under tilled soil than orchard soil, and lower at 10-18 cm depths. The results indicate the potential of management practices in the control of leaching of the macroelements.