Nitrous Bacteria (Noun)
Meaning
Soil bacteria that oxidize ammonia to nitrites.
Classification
Nouns denoting animals.
Examples
- Nitrous bacteria, specifically the Nitrosomonas species, are the primary soil microorganisms responsible for the conversion of ammonia to nitrite in the nitrogen cycle.
- In this soil sample, the population of nitrous bacteria is crucial in controlling the rate of nitrification and, therefore, the availability of nitrogen for plant uptake.
- The nitrification process involves the action of nitrous bacteria that first oxidize ammonia to nitrite and then the nitrite is further oxidized to nitrate by the Nitrobacter species.
- A deficiency in nitrous bacteria in agricultural soil can result in an accumulation of ammonia and nitrite, both of which are toxic to plant growth at high concentrations.
- Soil management practices, such as pH control and the addition of organic amendments, can enhance the activity and growth of nitrous bacteria in agricultural ecosystems.