immobilization and mineralization

{
  "id": "MLC-T-ENV-013841",
  "term": "immobilization and mineralization",
  "field": "Environment",
  "definition": "In mineralization, the nitrogen (N) in plant tissue is converted by soil microbes into a form (nitrate) that subsequent plants can use. Immobilization is the process by which plant usable forms of N in the soil become unavailable for subsequent crop growth. Because microbial populations increase with the growth of a cover crop, N contained in the cover crop and the soil can be immobilized or tied up as part of the physical structure of the microbes. As a result, the cover crop N might not be available for uptake by the following crop. When the microbes die, the N is mineralized and becomes available for subsequent crop use.",
  "subject": "Ecosystems",
  "references": [
    "Federal Land Management in the Chesapeake Bay Watershed Glossary"
  ],
  "url": "https://mlchart.com/terminology/environment/immobilization-and-mineralization/"
}