Low Nitrogen in Soil

How Nitrogen Is Lost

One of the main ways that nitrogen is lost in soils or how it becomes unusable by plants is through transformations. Dinitrification, for example, is one way soil nitrogen is lost to the atmosphere. When the soil becomes saturated for an extended period of time and there is plenty of organic matter to provide energy for bacteria, the nitrogen may be depleted in the soil. Saturated soil can also cause leaching of nitrogen into the groundwater system and away from plants in the topsoil. Nitrogen can also be lost as it converts to ammonia gas in soil with a high pH level in warm temperatures. This change is known as volatilization. Crop removal and natural erosion and runoff are also ways that nitrogen is stripped from soil.

One of the primary plant benefits of proper nitrogen content in soil is the speed of growth in the plants. When a plant has access to proper nutrients, specifically adequate nitrogen levels, it can significantly affect the rate of growth in the plant. Crops tend to grow faster and flowers tend to reach maturity faster. A shortage of nitrogen in the soil can lead to very slow growth.

As a result of proper nitrogen in the soil, plants are able to reach their full potential during the growing season. Therefore, these plants tend to be larger and healthier overall than ones grown in soil with inadequate nitrogen levels. This is especially important in food crops because the yield is positively affected by the soil's nitrogen content. Low nitrogen may produce fruits or vegetables that are smaller or more susceptible to disease and will therefore affect the amount of product the farmer is able to sell or consume.

Low nitrogen in the soil can be a result of an inadequate supply of the nutrient from the various natural sources. Nitrogen gets into the soil through the atmosphere via lightning and rain. Organic matter on the soil, including manure or crop residue, also supplies nitrogen. Commercial fertilizers are also a common source of nitrogen in the soil.