SINDH AGRICULTURE UNIVERSITY TANDOJAM

The Nitrogen Cycle

Jahanzeb Chang (2k19-PT-90)

Faculty of Crop protection

Sindh Agriculture University, Tandojam
Sindh Pakistan
 The Nitrogen Cycle

Definition
The nitrogen cycle refers to the cycle of nitrogen atoms through the living and non-living
systems of Earth. The nitrogen cycle is vital for life on Earth. Through the cycle, atmospheric
nitrogen is converted to a form which plants can incorporate into new proteins.

Introduction

Nitrogen cycle, circulation of nitrogen in various forms through nature. Nitrogen, a component
of proteins and nucleic acids, is essential to life on Earth. Although 78 percent by volume of
the atmosphere is nitrogen gas, this abundant reservoir exists in a form unusable by most
organisms. Through a series of microbial transformations, however, nitrogen is made available
to plants, which in turn ultimately sustain all animal life. The steps, which are not altogether
sequential, fall into the following classifications: nitrogen fixation, nitrogen assimilation,
ammonification, nitrification, and denitrification.

We are generally under the impression that we only need oxygen to live. Well, you couldn’t be more
wrong! There is a laundry list of elements that animals need for survival. One such element is Nitrogen.
But we can’t just get nitrogen from the air. It needs to be converted to nitrates, via a process called
nitrogen cycle. So let us learn more about this fascinating concept. The air we breathe contains 78%
nitrogen, 21% oxygen and remaining are other trace gases. The nitrogen component of air is inert. So
this means plants and animals cannot use it directly. To be able to use nitrogen, plants convert
atmospheric nitrogen to nitrates, nitrites and ammonia compounds by a process called the nitrogen
cycle. Animals derive their nitrogen requirements from plants.

Nitrogen cycle consists of four main steps namely:

1. Nitrogen Fixation

2. Ammonification/ Decay

3. Nitrification

4. De-nitrification
It is important to note that microorganisms play an important role in each of these steps.

Nitrogen was originally formed in the hearts of stars through the process of nuclear fusion. When
ancient stars exploded, they flung nitrogen-containing gases across the Universe. When the Earth
was formed, nitrogen gas was the main ingredient in its atmosphere.
Today, the Earth’s atmosphere is about 78% nitrogen, about 21% oxygen, and about 1% other
gases. This is an ideal balance because too much oxygen can actually be toxic to cells. In addition,
oxygen is flammable. Nitrogen, on the other hand, is inert and harmless in its gaseous
form. However, nitrogen gas is not accessible to plants and animals for use in their cells.
Here we will discuss how nitrogen plays a vital role in the chemistry of life – and how it gets from
the atmosphere, into living things, and back again.