nitrifying bacteria

American  

[nahy-truh-fahy-ing-bak-teer-ee-uh] / ˈnaɪ trəˌfaɪ ɪŋ bækˈtɪər i ə /

plural noun

1. Microbiology. any of various bacteria that nitrify ammonia in the soil, a process essential to the nitrogen cycle.

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nitrifying bacteria Scientific  

/ nī′trə-fī′ĭng /

1. Any of various soil bacteria that change ammonia or ammonium into nitrite or change nitrite into nitrate as part of the nitrogen cycle. Bacteria of the genus Nitrosomonas are the primary converters of ammonium into nitrite (which is actually toxic to plants), and bacteria of the genus Nitrobacter oxidize the nitrite to form nitrate ions (which are readily absorbed and usable by plants). Most of the nitrogen contained in fertilizer is made available to plants by these bacteria.

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Example Sentences

Called brachialactone, it reduces nitrous oxide emissions by blocking enzymatic pathways in nitrifying bacteria.

From Nature • Sep. 18, 2013

Now, the nitrifying bacteria require certain conditions, otherwise they will not perform their functions.

From The Story of the Soil; from the Basis of Absolute Science and Real Life, by Hopkins, Cyril G. (Cyril George)

There are apparently several different kinds of nitrifying bacteria with different powers.

From The Story of Germ Life by Conn, H. W. (Herbert William)

I am glad that the nitrogen-fixing and nitrifying bacteria do business chicfly in the surface soil, because we are not prepared to correct the acidity to any very great depth.

From The Story of the Soil; from the Basis of Absolute Science and Real Life, by Hopkins, Cyril G. (Cyril George)

The other two kinds are the true nitrifying bacteria.

From The Story of the Soil; from the Basis of Absolute Science and Real Life, by Hopkins, Cyril G. (Cyril George)