Immobilization

{
  "id": "MLC-T-ENV-013840",
  "term": "Immobilization",
  "field": "Environment",
  "definition": "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.",
  "references": [
    "EPA Guidance for Federal Land Management in the Chesapeake Bay Watershed Glossary at http://www.epa.gov/owow_keep/NPS/chesbay502/pdf/chesbay_glossary.pdf"
  ],
  "url": "https://mlchart.com/terminology/environment/immobilization/"
}