Nitrogen terms

IMPORTANT TERMINOLOGIES

N MINERALIZATION RATE: The rate at which organic nitrogen is converted to ammonium and nitrate is termed as N mineralization rate.

AMMONIFICATION: The production of ammonia from organic nitrogenous materials of the soils. (Formation of ammonium from organic compounds)

AMINIZATION: The breakdown of organic matter by certain heterotrophic bacteria and fungi, resulting in the release of amines, amino acids and urea.

NITRIFICATION: The conversion of ammonia nitrogen to nitrate nitrogen. (Oxidation of ammonium to nitrate)

DENITRIFICATION: The conversion of nitrate and nitrite into molecular nitrogen or nitrous oxide through microbial processes.

IMMOBILIZATION: The conversion of inorganic nitrogen ions (NH4+ NO3) into organic forms

VOLATILIZATION: Gaseous ammonia loss to the atmosphere from nitrogen fertilizers.

LEACHING: The loss of nitrate ions into water bodies, rivers and lakes.