Question

why is nitrogen called a limiting nutrient? a nitrogen is very abundant in the atmosphere, but not abundant in soil. b it is easily leached out of the soil into the ground water which it pollutes. c it stays suspended in the atmosphere and cant get to the roots. d plants are mostly made of nitrogen and therefore need lots of it

Explanation:

Nitrogen is abundant in the atmosphere as N₂ gas. But plants need nitrogen in a more reactive form like nitrates or ammonium. Although there is a lot of nitrogen in the air, it is not readily available in the soil in a form that plants can easily take up. So, despite its atmospheric abundance, it can be a limiting nutrient for plants.

Answer:

A. Nitrogen is very abundant in the atmosphere, but not abundant in soil