Question

Why do plants need nitrogen? How do plants obtain nitrogen?

Answer 1

Need for nitrogen by plants:

1. Nitrogen is the most frequently limiting nutrient for crop growth and promotes the growth of plants.
2. Nitrogen is absorbed by roots as inorganic nitrate i.e. NO₃ and ammonium NH⁴⁺ ions.
3. NO₃ is converted to NH₂ and assimilated to form organic compounds inside the plant.
4. Fertilizers, as well as animal and plant waste, enrich the soil with nitrogen.
5. Nitrogen fixation occurs when bacteria are in the soil.
6. They convert nitrogen to ammonium and nitrate, which plants absorb.
7. Nitrogen is required by plants to produce amino acids, proteins, and DNA.
8. Nitrogen is necessary because it is a component of chlorophyll.
9. It is also an essential component of amino acids, which serve as the building blocks of proteins.