A review is being presented of the latest results in the use of nitrogen-15 in the soil-plant system. The literature covers the period from 1991 to early April 1993. The increase in environmentally related experiments shows that the stable nitrogen isotope technique, applied either as tracer or as the natural isotope tracing approach, is well suited particularly to ecosystem studies. This trend is supported by convenient analytical systems. An important challenge to scientists in the field of environmental research is to contrive ways and means of permitting the plants to utilize the available nitrogen in the soil more efficiently. Examples of research areas needing more attention are pointed out.