{"id":18543,"date":"2024-11-26T11:32:31","date_gmt":"2024-11-26T10:32:31","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.ficosterra.com\/?p=18543"},"modified":"2025-01-15T16:00:10","modified_gmt":"2025-01-15T15:00:10","slug":"use-of-nitrogen-in-plants-and-crops","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.ficosterra.com\/en\/use-of-nitrogen-in-plants-and-crops\/","title":{"rendered":"Use of Nitrogen in plants and crops"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Nitrogen is one of the most important macronutrients for plant development. However, its proper management poses a crucial challenge to ensure healthy and sustainable crops.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Today, inspired by highlighted articles on this topic, we will summarize how nitrogen benefits plants, the consequences of improper use, and the best practices to make the most of this nutrient.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<\/div><\/section>\n\n\n\n

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The Importance of
Nitrogen in plants<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Nitrogen (N) is essential for plant growth as it is part of proteins, enzymes, and chlorophyll. It is responsible for the greenness of leaves and the robust development of crops, being fundamental in processes such as:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Photosynthesis<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Without nitrogen, chlorophyll cannot form, which is crucial for converting sunlight into energy.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Protein Synthesis<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Plants need nitrogen to produce amino acids, the basic units of proteins, which are essential for plant growth and development.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Cell Growth<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n

This nutrient promotes cell division and root elongation, favoring the absorption of water and other nutrients.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/section>\n\n\n\n

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Sources of
Nitrogen for the soil<\/strong>
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The soil contains nitrogen in organic and mineral forms, but these natural reserves are usually insufficient to meet the needs of cultivated plants, necessitating the use of synthetic fertilizers, applied in forms available to the roots:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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01<\/h2>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
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Nitrate (NO<\/strong>\u2083\u207b)<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Easily absorbed by plants but susceptible to leaching (filtering into aquifers, rivers, and seas, causing contamination).<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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02<\/h2>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
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Ammonium (NH<\/strong>\u2084\u207a)<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n

A more stable form, though it can be absorbed to a lesser extent under anaerobic conditions.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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03<\/h2>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
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Mixed Fertilizers<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Combine both forms for more balanced absorption.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/section>\n\n\n\n

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Effects of Nitrogen
<\/strong>Deficiency and excess<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Nitrogen management must be very precise to avoid imbalances that can negatively affect plants and ecosystems in general.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Nitrogen Deficiency<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n