Question

Nitrifying bacteria convert ___to nitrate.

Answer 1

Nitrifying bacteria like Nitrosomonas and Nitrobacter convert ammonia or ammonium $\left(N{H}_3/N{H}_4^{+}\right)$ to nitrite $\left(N{O}_2^{-}\right)$ and then convert $N{O}_2^{-}$ to nitrate $N{O}_3^{-}$. It is very easy for plants to take up nitrogen in the form of $N{O}_3^{-}$​. Therefore, these bacteria help the plants gain essential nitrogen in the form of nitrates.