nitrification

American  

[nahy-truh-fi-key-shuhn] / ˌnaɪ trə fɪˈkeɪ ʃən /

noun

Chemistry, Biology.

1. the process of oxidation in the nitrogen cycle that converts ammonia or ammonium compounds to nitrites and then to nitrates, especially this process as facilitated by bacteria and other microbes in soil to provide the nitrogen vital to plant health and growth.

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nitrification British  

/ ˌnaɪtrɪfɪˈkeɪʃən /

noun

1. the oxidation of the ammonium compounds in dead organic material into nitrites and nitrates by soil nitrobacteria, making nitrogen available to plants See also nitrogen cycle

2. 1. the addition of a nitro group to an organic compound

   2. the substitution of a nitro group for another group in an organic compound

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nitrification Scientific  

/ nī′trə-fĭ-kā′shən /

1. The process by which bacteria in soil and water oxidize ammonia and ammonium ions and form nitrites and nitrates. Because the nitrates can be absorbed by more complex organisms, as by the roots of green plants, nitrification is an important step in the nitrogen cycle.

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Etymology

Origin of nitrification

First recorded in 1820–30; nitr- + -i- + -fication

Example Sentences

In two recent papers, Yu and his collaborators found that emissions from streams like the one they sampled in Minnesota are largely derived from nitrification processes in agricultural soils.

From Science Daily • Dec. 3, 2024

Woodall noted that agronomists are working on new corn varieties and seed additives to reduce methane, as well as nitrification inhibitors to diminish the nitrous oxide given off by manure.

From The New Yorker • Sep. 23, 2019

These farmers invested more than $17 million to try cover crops, no-till, strip-till or a nitrification inhibitor on their land.

From Washington Times • Sep. 24, 2018

Peters says that they have doubled the release of nitrification inhibitors, and are now checking that this has not decreased the overall productivity of the grass.

From Nature • Sep. 18, 2013

The herbicide 2,4-D causes a temporary interruption of nitrification.

From "Silent Spring" by Rachel Carson