Question

Nitrogen is present in the atmosphere in huge amounts but higher plants fail to utilize it. Why?

Answer 1

1. Plants absorb minerals from the soil along with water with the help of Roots. Minerals are absorbed as salts.
2. Nitrogen is present in large quantities in the atmosphere in a gaseous form, the gaseous nitrogen must be fixed in the form of Nitrate salts in the soil to facilitate absorption by plant roots.
3. Nitrogen fixation can occur 2 ways by

• Non - Biological means (Industrial process or by lighting)
• Biological means (Bacteria/Cyanobacteria Fungi)
• Therefore higher plants con not utilize the atmospheric Nitrogen.