Conversion of ammonium to nitrate (NO-3) nitrogen. Ammonium is first converted to nitrite as in the equation: above with the activity of Nitrosomonas bacteria, a group of obligate autotrophs which have as their sources of energy the oxidation of simple molecular substances such as NH4+, Nitrite (NO2) is then rapidly converted to nitrate (NO-3) through further oxidation by another group of obligate autotrophs.
In well-aerated soils, step (ii) above follows step (i) very quickly that there is no accumulation of nitrite which, if otherwise, could be injurious to plant roots.
In cases where a large amount of ammonium fertilizer has been applied to alkaline soil, the conversion of nitrite to nitrate is delayed until after the ammonium ion concentration has reached a relatively low level.
It should be noted that plants take up nitrogen in both the ammonium (NH4+) and nitrate (NO-3) forms from the soil solution. In effect, the decomposition of organic matter results in The use of some of the carbon, nitrogen, and some other elements by micro-organisms.
Read Also: Sources, Composition, Decomposition, and Mineralization of Soil Organic Matter and Soil Organisms
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