When manure, urea fertilizer or a nitrogen solution containing urea are surface applied to soils, nitrogen may be lost as ammonia gas. Applying these fertilizers when soil and air temperatures are cool or when rain occurs soon after application will greatly reduce the potential for volatilization of ammonia. Also, incorporation of these materials into the soil shortly after application will stop the potential losses by volatilization. Glossary Symbiosis is the association of one organism with another creating a favorable situation for both. For example, with rhizobium bacteria and soybeans, bacteria supply nitrogen and soybeans supply energy.
Ammonium is the positive charged ion of plant available nitrogen, which is stable in soils.
It will not leach or convert to nitrogen gas and be lost. Nitrate is the less stable but more common form of plant-available nitrogen in soils. It is capable of leaching or converting to nitrogen gas and lost. Colloid refers to both inorganic and organic matter. Colloids are usually considered to be very small particles of clay size.