Question

What is incorrect about nitrogen fixing bacteria?

• A. They convert gaseous nitrogen to a substance utilizable by plants
• B. They convert gaseous nitrogen to ammonia
• C. They convert gaseous nitrogen to nitrite
• D. They make the soil fertile

Answer 1

The correct option is C They convert gaseous nitrogen to nitrite

Nitrogen fixing bacteria convert gaseous nitrogen present in the atmosphere to ammonia $\left(N{H}_4^{+}\right)$, which can be utilized by plants. Hence they help in making the soil fertile by enriching it with utilisable nitrogen. Nitrifying bacteria and not nitrogen fixing bacteria convert $\left(N{H}_4^{+}\right)$​ to nitrite $\left(N{O}_2^{-}\right)$.