Nitrogen Cycle

Atmospheric or inorganic nitrogen (N2) is converted for use

in plants by nitrogen fixation. This process is completed by
enzymes in bacteria in root nodules of leguminous plants
(such as clover). Consumers eat the organic nitrogen
compounds in plants, when these organisms die; they are
broken down by saprobiotic microorganisms. Using
external egestion, they excrete enzymes to digest organic
compounds into ammonia or ammonium ions by
ammonification (a reduction reaction). The ammonia is
then oxidised by nitrification into nitrites and then nitrates,
which can then be directly absorbed and assimilated by
plants into useful organic nitrogen containing compound
such as amino acids and nucleotides. However this
requires nitrifying bacteria and aerobic conditions. In
anaerobic conditions, denitrifying bacteria covert nitrate
ions into atmospheric nitrogen. This removal of useful
nitrate ions can be problematic for farming industry.
Waterlogged fields lead to removal of oxygen from soil and
thus anaerobic conditions. This can lead to shortage of
nitrate ions, lower rate of growth and lower yield of crop
and lower productivity and profit Therefore it is imperative
that fields be drained at the earliest opportunity.
Nitrogen fixing can also occur by lightening and nitrogen
fixing bacteria in the soil. These both lead to the
production of ammonia.