Hi, now we will discuss the examples and definition of ammonification along with its implications. All living organisms and biomolecules are made of some basic elements carbon, hydrogen, oxygen and nitrogen.
Among them nitrogen is very important for protein and amino acids plants need nitrogen for maintaining regular metabolic reactions and structure of cells. Our atmosphere has an abundant amount of nitrogen but the main problem is that plants are unable to utilise the atmospheric nitrogen.
Plants only can utilise the nitrogen present in soil in compound state so atmospheric nitrogen needs to be fixed in soil.
Some bacteria are present in soil which are capable of fixing the atmospheric nitrogen into soil and it helps the plants to meet their nitrogen requirements naturally. If sufficient nitrogen is not present in soil then the plant suffers from various nitrogen deficiency disorders and then we supply nitrogen externally in the form of chemical or biofertilizers.
Sometimes we raise leguminous plants before the main cultivation because the nitrogen fixing bacteria present in the nodules of leguminous plants fix atmospheric nitrogen into soil which fill the deficiency of nitrogen in soil. Now we will try to understand what ammonification is and how it is important for nitrogen requirements of plants.
Table of Contents
What is Ammonification:
The plants are able to absorb the nitrate compound present in soil using their roots and into their cells the nitrate undergo different types of biochemical reactions and finally convert into protein.
All organisms which are not able to produce their food own are dependent on plant directly or indirectly and the protein from the plant source reach into animals body. When the animals die their body start to decay and the nitrogen compounds of the animal break down into ammonia which is known as ammonification.
Different types of microorganisms, especially bacteria, have a great role in ammonification because they cause the decomposition of dead organisms and convert the nitrogen compounds into ammonia.
Ammonification is a important phenomenon because it helps to maintain the nitrogen cycle in ecosystem otherwise nitrogen would not be available for long time in nature.
Implications of Ammonification:
The organic nitrogen compounds in decomposing organisms are not present for utilisation in case of plants but ammonification converts the organic nitrogen compounds into ammonia and inorganic ammonium ion.
Through this process the dead decaying animals and plants’ bodies and their nitrogenous excretory product are converted into ammonia. Ammonification makes the unusable nitrogenous compound into usable nitrogenous compounds so that it can be utilised by living organisms easily.
But like other processes, ammonification is also harmful over a certain limit which becomes very harmful for our ecosystem. If ammonification occurs more than its requirements then the ammonia level increases in soils which cause overgrown algae present in soil.
If algae grows so rapidly then it may increase the toxicity of the soil which is not good for other organisms present in soil and it damages the balance of our ecosystem.
Examples of Ammonification:
Examples of some bacteria present in soil which is responsible for ammonification are clostridium, pseudomonas, proteus, streptococcus and some bacillus bacteria.
Most Frequently Asked Questions:
1. What is the Importance of Ammonification ?
Ans: The major importance of Ammonification is it helps the plants to find the nitrogen source which they can absorb easily, ammonification helps to maintain nitrogen cycle in our environment, ammonification utilise the nitrogenous excretory material converting ammonia and ammonium ion.
2. What are the Disadvantages of Ammonification ?
Ans: Ammonification is very useful to maintain the nitrogen cycle and make the nitrogen available for plants but over ammonification causes intense algae growth which increases the toxic level of soil and damages the balance of the ecosystem.
3. Who is Responsible for Ammonification ?
Ans: The microorganisms for example nitrogen fixing bacteria in the nodules of leguminous plants and other nitrogen fixing bacteria present in soil convert the atmospheric nitrogen into absorbable form of nitrogen compounds.
Reference: Examples and Definition of Ammonification
Read More: Definition and Examples of Amensalism
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