why do plants need nitrogen
Plants and animals need nitrogen in order to make proteins. Proteins are essential compounds for healthy growth and fully functioning organisms. However, nitrogen is often in short supply to plants in both natural and agricultural systems. If nitrogen supply limits the growth of plants then the animals which feed on the plants will also suffer.
Nitrogen is essential for the growth of leaves and stems, and it helps to give plants a rich, green color. If it is lacking, plants will be pale and sickly-looking, and the oldest leaves will look worse than the newer ones.
Plants need nitrates to develop green leaves. Nitrogen, potassium and phosphorus are the three major nutrients plants need to grow successfully. In particular, nitrogen is responsible for foliage development. Plants use nitrogen in the form of nitrates, which is nitrogen mixed with oxygen. They usually absorb nitrates from the soil.
Nitrogen is found in all living cells. Without nitrates, a plant cannot grow and produce flowers and seeds. This is primarily because nitrogen is an essential component of plant proteins and chlorophyll, which is necessary for the process of photosynthesis. Photosynthesis is how a plant makes food. Without nitrates, photosynthesis cannot occur, and the plant will die from a lack of food.