What is the importance of bacteria in the nitrogen cycle?

Since plants are unable to use nitrogen in its elemental form, bacteria play a crucial role in the nitrogen cycle by helping to fix atmospheric nitrogen into nitrates, which then becomes available for use by plants in their metabolic processes. An example of this is Rhizobium Bacteria.

Bacteria play a crucial role in the nitrogen cycle by converting atmospheric nitrogen gas (N2) into forms that can be utilized by plants and other organisms. This process, known as nitrogen fixation, is primarily carried out by nitrogen-fixing bacteria. These bacteria convert atmospheric nitrogen into ammonia or nitrate, which can then be taken up by plants to synthesize proteins and nucleic acids. This establishes a vital link between atmospheric nitrogen and the living organisms that depend on it for their growth and survival.