Organic Fertilizers

Nitrogen-fixing microbes are microorganisms that can convert atmospheric nitrogen gas (N2) into ammonia (NH3), a form of nitrogen that plants can use. Nitrogen is an essential nutrient for plant growth, but it is not abundant in the soil. Nitrogen-fixing microbes play an important role in the nitrogen cycle by providing plants with a source of nitrogen.

There are two main types of nitrogen-fixing microbes:

• Free-living nitrogen-fixing bacteria. These bacteria live in the soil and can fix nitrogen without the help of a plant host. Some examples of free-living nitrogen-fixing bacteria include Azotobacter, Clostridium, and Klebsiella.
• Symbiotic nitrogen-fixing bacteria. These bacteria live in a close relationship with a plant host. The most common example of symbiotic nitrogen-fixing bacteria is Rhizobium, which lives in the roots of legumes such as peas, beans, and peanuts.