Here, the organic nitrogen in the tissues of living organisms is mineralized to form inorganic ammonia or ammonium ions. Many soil decomposers (bacteria and fungi) carry out ammonification. Bacteria carrying out ammonification are called ammonifying bacteria. Common ammonifying bacteria are Bacillus, Proteus, Clostridium, Pseudomonas and Streptomyces, and Micrococcus.
How does the Process of Ammonification Occur
Importance of Ammonification
Chemical Equation
The overall chemical equation of the process is: RNH2 + 2 H2O → NH4+ + OH– + ROH The above equation occurs in two steps: Step 1: R-NH2 + H2O → NH3 + R-OH Step 2: NH3 +H2O → NH4+ + OH– After this conversion, ammonium ions become available in plants as a nutrient or substrate for nitrification.
