metalloflavoprotein, which catalyzes the reduction of
nitrate in plants, essential for the synthesis of plant
proteins.
there is hardly any oxygen. Some organisms, belonging
to genera Pseudomonas, Bacillus and Paracoccus, take
oxygen from the nitrate and give out nitrogen and nitrous
oxide. Denitrification is strongly influenced by several
soil-related and environment-related factors, such as the
amount and nature of the organic matter and moisture
content.
The factors necessary for nitrate reduction are: an
anaerobic environment, the presence of nitrates and
soluble carbons, and denitrifying organisms. Several factors control nitrate reduction directly and indirectly.
Soil denitrification is controlled by three primary or
proximal factors, namely, oxygen, nitrate and carbon,
which in turn are affected by several physical and
biological factors (distal factors). Thus, it is necessary to
focus on distal rather than proximal factors as controllers
of denitrification. Furthermore, oxygen, nitrate, carbon
and soil pH also influence the reduction of nitrate.
Denitrification is maximum when the pH is between 6
and 8, and the temperature between 25 and 60°C.
