What do plants use nitrogen for
This process is called nitrification. Compounds such as nitrate, nitrite, ammonia and ammonium can be taken up from soils by plants and then used in the formation of plant and animal proteins. Denitrification completes the nitrogen cycle by converting nitrate NO 3 - back to gaseous nitrogen N 2. Denitrifying bacteria are the agents of this process. These bacteria use nitrate instead of oxygen when obtaining energy, releasing nitrogen gas to the atmosphere.
Agriculture may be responsible for about half the nitrogen fixation on Earth through fertilisers and the cultivation of nitrogen-fixing crops. However, nitrogen in excess of plant demand can leach from soils into waterways.
The nitrogen enrichment contributes to eutrophication. Another problem can occur during nitrification and denitrification. When the chemical process is not completed, nitrous oxide N 2 O can be formed. This is of concern, as N 2 O is a potent greenhouse gas — contributing to global warming. It is also an elementary constituent of numerous important organic compounds including amino acids, proteins, nucleic acids, enzymes, and the chlorophyll molecule.
Of all the essential nutrients, nitrogen is the one that is most often limiting for crop growth. Nitrogen is the nutrient which normally produces the greatest yield response in crop plants, promoting rapid vegetative growth and giving the plant a healthy green color.
To understand the relationship between soil CEC and nutrients, we need to understand the chemistry behind the soil and the nutrients found or applied to the soil.
Nitrogen is an essential macronutrient for plant function and is a key component of amino acids, which form the building blocks of plant proteins and enzymes. Proteins make up the structural materials of all living matters and enzymes facilitate the vast array of biochemical reactions within a plant.
Nitrogen is also a component of the chlorophyll molecule, which enables the plant to capture sunlight energy by photosynthesis, driving plant growth and grain yield. Nitrogen plays a critical role within the plant to ensure energy is available when and where the plant needs it to optimize yield. This crucial nutrient is even present in the roots as proteins and enzymes help regulate water and nutrient uptake.
Unfortunately, the nitrogen cycle is a leaky system, meaning it often works against the goal of high nitrogen use efficiency.
Nitrogen is increasingly used in hydroponics agriculture where plants are grown without soils. It is important to note that the exact amount of nitrogen required in soil and hydroponic gardening is the same. Use of nitrogen fertilizers enhances its availability to plants in hydroponic and soil gardening.
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