Describe the nitrogen cycle. How the atmospheric nitrogen enters the soil? Also explain Ammonification, Nitrification, and Denitrification.
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Ishu
Nitrogen the living block of living cells is one of the core components of proteins. It plays an important role in the biochemical processes that take place in living beings. It limits the rate of production in ecosystems.
Nitrogen Fixation:
The atmosphere is the largest reservoir (78% approximately) of free nitrogen. The nitrogen in this form cannot be used by the living systems. It has to be converted into nitrates through a process known as nitrogen fixation and then it is available for use by plants.
Plants take nitrogen in the form of nitrates from the soil and animals obtain nitrogen by eating plants or animals which eat plants
The atmospheric nitrogen enters the soil in the following ways:
Ammonification:
Ammonification is the process of ammonia formation carried out by all organisms. The ammonia may escape to the atmosphere or be retained in the soil and is sometimes oxidised to nitrates.
Nitrification:
Nitrification is the process of conversion of ammonia to nitrates by the bacteria, (Nitrosomonas in soil and Nitrosococcus in marine systems).
Denitrification:
Denitrification is the process by which some other bacteria (decomposers) reduce nitrates back to nitrogen or to ammonia or to some other oxides. Free nitrogen returns to atmospheric pool and oxides are taken up by plants.