What do nitrogen-fixing bacteria primarily convert atmospheric nitrogen into?

Nitrogen-fixing bacteria are essential components of the nitrogen cycle, playing a crucial role in converting atmospheric nitrogen (N₂) into a form that is usable by plants and other organisms. The primary output of this process is ammonia (NH₃). These bacteria can perform this conversion through a biochemical process called nitrogen fixation.

During nitrogen fixation, atmospheric nitrogen is assimilated and combined with hydrogen, resulting in ammonia. This form of nitrogen is vital because it can be directly utilized by plants for the synthesis of amino acids and other important organic compounds. Additionally, ammonia can be further processed by plants or soil bacteria into nitrites and nitrates through nitrification, but the initial step carried out by nitrogen-fixing bacteria is the formation of ammonia.

This fundamental role of nitrogen-fixing bacteria not only facilitates plant nutrition but also contributes to the overall productivity and sustainability of ecosystems.