Nitrogen

Question 1

Why do plants need nitrogen?

Answer 1

to make Amino Acids

Question 2

How many microorganisms are in the soil?

Answer 2

Millions or even billions per gram of soil

Question 3

Name the forms of nitrogen

Answer 3

N2, NH3, NH4+, NO2-, NO3-

Question 4

What is N2

Answer 4

Dinitrogen gas (78% of the air we breathe)
Lightning process to make Ammonia

Question 5

What is NH3

Answer 5

Ammonia gas
Chemical change makes Ammonium

Question 6

NH4+

Answer 6

Ammonium
1. Used by plants (converted into amino acids, which are then used to make protein
2. Bacteria and Nitrobacter change makes Nitrate
3. Very slow conversion, takes a lot of energy

Question 7

NO2-

Answer 7

Nitrite
1.Used by plants
2. Bacteria and Nitrobacter change makes Nitrate

Question 8

NO3-

Answer 8

Nitrate
Used by plants

Question 9

What is in the air we breathe

Answer 9

78% nitrogen
21% oxygen
0.04% CO2

Question 10

What are the two most important microorganisms?

Answer 10

Bacteria and fungi

Question 11

What do bacteria and fungi do

Answer 11

They break down all the inorganic material and give it back
50% per year

Question 12

Name the 17 essential plant nutrients?

Answer 12

C H O P K N S Ca B Fe Cu Zn Mo Mn Mg Cl Ni Co

Question 13

What is Allelochemical? And name an example

Answer 13

A chemical that prevents other plants from growing
Ex: black walnut

Question 14

Explain/define a symbiotic relationship

Answer 14

relationship where two different organisms benefit

Question 15

What is N P K?

Answer 15

N- amino acids
P- used to bind DNA
K- open/closes the stomata

Question 16

What is the carbon ratio of various products?

Answer 16

Microorganisms <10:1
Alfalfa 15:1
Straw 80:1
Wood Products 100’s:1

Question 17

Are there environmental factors that affect biological activity in the soil?

Answer 17

pH–6.5 is ideal
Temperature–not too hot, not too cold
Moisture content–not too wet, not too dry

Question 18

What is the difference between these?

Answer 18

Plants
Plant residue
Organic matter