How is atmospheric nitrogen converted?
Leguminous plants are plants that have nodules in their roots so that they can absorb atmospheric nitrogen. This process is called Nitrogen fixation, which is necessary otherwise it would be impossible for living beings to use atmospheric nitrogen. Fixation also occurs when the atmospheric temperature is high and also due to lightening since this is when the nitrogen is converted to nitrogen oxides. The chances of such nitrogen fixation are very less. The bacteria present in the nodules in the leguminous plants contain nitrogenase enzymes that help in the reaction of hydrogen and nitrogen, which helps to get ammonia. Ammonia is further is converted into organic compounds. This is the juncture where the leguminous plants establish a symbiotic relationship with the bacteria present in the nodules. Bacteria help to produce ammonia and in return they take carbohydrate from the plant. Such leguminous plants can be planted in soils that have poor fertility so that atmospheric nitrogen can be
