Nitrogen Economy Flashcards
is an essential primary macronutrient that commonly limits plant growth
N
is a component of proteins and nucleic acids. It is also an integral part of chlorophyll and a component of ADP and ATP.
N
T or f
Deficiency of N causes chlorosis, stunted growth, low protein content, and the plant matures early.
T
Deficiency of N leads to excessive vegetative growth, lodging, and reduced yield quality.
T or f?
F - OVERSUPPLY of N leads to excessive vegetative growth, lodging, and reduced yield quality
Atmosphere contains__% N2, 21% O2, and 0.04% CO2 gas
78% of N2
Healthy plants contain__-__% N
2.0-4.0%
N Deficiency observed on
“older leaves” or “newer leaves”?
Older leaves
“Plants are more susceptible to disease & insect pests”
N oversupply or N deficiency
N oversupply
Form of nitrogen in the atmosphere, this form of nitrogen must be transformed to usable forms before it is available for plant uptake
Nitrogen gas (N2)
Can escape from the surface of the soil under certain conditions and is harmful to plants in high quantities.
*Basic building block of commercial nitrogen fertilizers
Ammonia gas (NH3)
Soil particles attract and retain ammonium on cation exchange complexes.
This form may be directly taken up by plants
Ammonium (NH4+)
Second form of nitrogen which is available for plant uptake.
Highly mobile.
In highly weathered soil, it is stored in anion exchange capacity and become less mobile
Nitrate NO3+
Intermediate product in the conversion of ammonium to nitrate (nitrification). Present in low quantities, but is toxic to plants
Nitrite NO2-
Must be converted to ammonium before it is used by plants. This conversion occurs with time and is know as mineralization
Organic nitrogen
N in soil may come from residues, fertilizers, manures, precipitation
T or f?
T
__________can reduce efficiency of unprotected nitrogen fertilizer applications.
Natural loss mechanisms
A bio geochemical process through which N is converted into many forms
N cycle
__-__% of soil N exists in organic form (protein, amino acids)
95-99%
95-99% of soil N exists in ___ form
Organic form
Conversion of organic nitrogen to inorganic (NH4-N) by microbes
Mineralization
Two step process whereby organic matter is broken down by soil microorganisms into ammonium
Mineralization
is the decomposition of proteins and the release of amines or amine groups (R-NH2), urea and amino acids (lysine-CH2NH2COOH; alanine-CH3CHNH2COOH).
1st process: Aminization
Aminization process is carried out by the ff. Except:
Pseudomonas
Bacilli
Clostridium
Aerobacter
Serrotia
Micrococcus
Aerobacter
Amines, urea and amino acids produced during aminization of organic N are decomposed by other heterotrophs with
release of NH 4 +
2nd process: Ammonification-