ammonification
/əˌmɑnəfəˈkeɪʃən/
noun
- The process by which bacteria and fungi break down organic matter, releasing ammonia or ammonium into the soil.
- Without ammonification, dead plants and animals would not return nutrients to the earth.
- Warm, moist soil speeds up ammonification by microbes.
- Ammonification is a key step in the nitrogen cycle, making nitrogen available to plants.