Coursify
Create New CourseGalleryContact

Nature farming

Unit 1
Soil
Soil Organic Matter and Nutrient CyclingSoil Types and Plant GrowthSoil Testing and Amendment
Unit 1 • Chapter 2

Soil Types and Plant Growth

Video Summary

Nitrogen-fixing plants increase the level of nitrogen in the soil, which plants need to produce proteins and chlorophyll. This can be done by interplanting nitrogen fixers with other plants or by planting a nitrogen-fixing cover crop. Nitrogen fertilizer does the same thing, but it can also kill the soil by disrupting the helpful organisms that live there. This can lead to nutrient deficiencies in plants and pollution of water. Healthy soil is essential for healthy plants, so it's important to use nitrogen-fixing plants to help restore the soil's natural balance.

Knowledge Check

What kind of bacteria convert nitrates back into atmospheric nitrogen?

Which of the following methods can be used to add nitrogen to soil: adding fertilizer, adding nitrogen-fixing plants, or both?

Which of the following is not a product of the nitrogen cycle: nitrogen gas, ammonia, nitrite, or nitrates?