Bow 8

Nitrogen fixation - Fixation occurs  when bacteria convert nitrogen gas(N2) into organic compounds that living organism can take up.

 

http://www.hbwbiology.net/quizzes/ch37-plant-nutrition.htm

Ammonification- ammonification occurs when bacteria or fungi  convert nitrogen gas(N2) or nitrogen compounds  into ammonium  ions(NH4+)

 http://www.biologyjunction.com/ecology_notes_bi.htm  

Nitrification- nitrification  is a two-step process: soil bacteria first convert ammonium ions(NH4+) into nitrite ions(NO2-), then convert nitrite ions into nitrate ions(NO3-)

 http://www.thisland.illinois.edu/50ways/50ways_5.html

Denitrification: to remove nitrogen or nitrogen compounds from.

http://www.nano-reef.com/articles/?article=17

Assimilation:  the conversion of absorbed food into the substance of the body.

http://images.search.yahoo.com/r/_ylt=A2KJkIWCmHRPJ34AvESjzbkF;_ylu=X3oDMTBpcGszamw0BHNlYwNmcC1pbWcEc2xrA2ltZw--/SIG=11tmbj2cs/EXP=1333070082/**http%3a//www.drmikefitzgerald.com/zones.htm

Carbon Cycle

Through the process of photosynthesis crops extract carbon from the atmosphere and incorporate it into biomass. After harvest, crop residues are converted into soil organic matter. Over time soil microorganisms digest the organic matter, returning the captured carbon to the atmosphere as carbon dioxide. The Center for Carbon Capturing Crops is leveraging the federal government's investments in crop genomics to develop crops having biomass that degrades more slowly in the soil than unmodified crops.

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The widespread planting of carbon capturing crops will increase the amount of carbon stored in the soil. Increased storage of carbon in the soil will reduce levels of atmospheric carbon dioxide and increase soil organic matter. In addition, farmers who grow these carbon-capturing crops may earn additional carbon credits. Carbon credits are tradable securities that place a cost on carbon emissions and can be sold to carbon emitters, such as coal-powered electric stations.

In addition to developing crops having enhanced biomass characteristics, the C2C2 is working with soil and atmospheric scientists and economists to model the effects of widespread planting of carbon-capturing crops on soil organic matter, atmospheric carbon, climate and the economy. The results of these modeling activities will be widely disseminated to help guide policy decisions that will influence carbon sequestration and climate change. Ultimately, the C2C2 will partner with seed companies to deploy carbon capturing crops.

http://c2c2.iastate.edu/