Plants absorb and utilize nitrogen in the form of nitrate ions and ammonium ions.
Nitrogen which is a component of proteins and nucleic acids is important for all plants to live. Nitrogen is available in many forms. The atmospheric nitrogen which is called dinitrogen (N2) cannot be utilized by plants. Plants can only absorb and use certain inorganic forms of nitrogen which are found in the soil. They are nitrate ions (N03-) which is utilized by plants for their growth and development, and ammonium ions (NH4+) which is obtained by plants through ammonia transporters.
