How does nitrogen get transformed in the soil?

Nitrogen transformation in the soil is primarily facilitated by microbial activity and decay processes. Microorganisms, such as bacteria and fungi, play a vital role in converting nitrogen from various organic and inorganic forms, making it available to plants.

In the soil, nitrogen exists in multiple forms, including atmospheric nitrogen (N2), organic nitrogen from decomposed plant and animal matter, and inorganic forms such as ammonium (NH4+) and nitrate (NO3-). Microbes break down organic matter, releasing nitrogen into the soil in a process known as mineralization. Additionally, certain bacteria can convert atmospheric nitrogen into ammonia through nitrogen fixation, further contributing to the nitrogen pool in the soil. Nitrifying bacteria then convert ammonia into nitrate, which plants can readily uptake.

Through this dynamic cycle involving microbial activity, nitrogen is continuously transformed and made available in forms that support plant growth, thereby playing a critical role in soil fertility and agricultural productivity.