Natural forms of nitrogen

Everyone knows that the nitrogen is a fundamental element in the development of the plant cycle. But what are the natural forms of nitrogen in the soil? Let's have a look.

The absorption form of the nitrogen by plants is given as NH4 +, NO2- and NO3-, i.e. inorganic molecules. But these forms, as is always the case, are not at all common in soils. This deficiency is usually combated with synthetic fertilisers. However, there are ways to keep the level of this element stable: nitrogenisation.

The inorganic forms of nitrogen are extremely washable and last very little time in the profile.

What are the sources of nitrogen for our crops?

• The atmosphere is an incredibly abundant source of nitrogen. This element forms the 78% of the composition of the air and fortunately the bacteria of the genus Rhizobium are able to fix nitrogen in the soil. Unfortunately, this is mainly relevant for leguminous crops, and for other crops the effect is much smaller.
• All the organic components (built on the basis of the carbon) in the soil have nitrogen. From the most stable and slowly mineralisable such as hummus, as well as the more degradable ones such as plant matter or decomposing animals, are composed of nitrogen that will eventually be mineralised and can be absorbed by the plant.

Temperature and moisture significantly affect the concentration of organic matter (OM) in soils. High temperatures increase mineralisation and decrease the concentration of OM. High humidity also increases mineralisation but stimulates vegetative growth at the same time.

• The nitrogen cycle  starts with nitrogen in its simplest stable form, atmospheric dinitrogen (N2). Through fixation processes such as mineralisation, nitrification and nitrification, leachingThe cycle is built up by plant assimilation, plant assimilation, ammonia volatilisation, denitrification and immobilisation.

In order to understand the nitrogen cycle in the soil, it is important to understand the transformation processes of this element, which is so important for life. The fundamental processes are 4:

• Fixation: Atmospheric nitrogen is fixed with two pathways. It is taken up in the soil by bacteria that fix ammonium ions in the soil and the thunderstorms nitrify atmospheric nitrogen that precipitates massively in the soil. 
• Decomposition: All living things have nitrogen in their composition, the primary source of which was nitrogen-fixing bacteria. When they die, this nitrogen becomes available for another individual to make use of it, most often decomposer microorganisms that produce ammonia which is then nitrified.
• Nitrification: Other bacteria, this time called nitrifying bacteria, convert ammonia into nitrites and nitrates, elements that can be absorbed by crops.
• Denitrification: Denitrifying bacteria convert nitrates (NO3-) into gaseous nitrogen (N2) which is released into the atmosphere. These bacteria use the oxygen in the nitrate as an energy source for their oxidative processes.

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