<P> Nitrogen fixation is essential to life because fixed inorganic nitrogen compounds are required for the biosynthesis of all nitrogen - containing compounds . Therefore , as part of the nitrogen cycle , it is essential for agriculture and the manufacture of fertilizer . It is also , indirectly , relevant to the manufacture of all chemical compounds that contain nitrogen , which includes explosives , most pharmaceuticals , and dyes . Nitrogen fixation is carried out naturally in the soil by a wide range of nitrogen fixing Bacteria and Archaea , including Azotobacter . Some nitrogen - fixing bacteria have symbiotic relationships with some plant groups , especially legumes . Looser relationships between nitrogen - fixing bacteria and plants are often referred to as associative or non-symbiotic , as seen in nitrogen fixation occurring on rice roots . It also occurs naturally in the air by means of NOx production by lightning . </P>
<P> Nitrogen fixation is essential to life because fixed inorganic nitrogen compounds are required for the biosynthesis of all nitrogen - containing compounds . Therefore , as part of the nitrogen cycle , it is essential for agriculture and the manufacture of fertilizer . It is also , indirectly , relevant to the manufacture of all chemical compounds that contain nitrogen , which includes explosives , most pharmaceuticals , and dyes . Nitrogen fixation is carried out naturally in the soil by a wide range of nitrogen fixing Bacteria and Archaea , including Azotobacter . Some nitrogen - fixing bacteria have symbiotic relationships with some plant groups , especially legumes . Looser relationships between nitrogen - fixing bacteria and plants are often referred to as associative or non-symbiotic , as seen in nitrogen fixation occurring on rice roots . It also occurs naturally in the air by means of NOx production by lightning . </P>
which bacteria helps nitrogen fixation in the soil
which bacteria helps nitrogen fixation in the soil
Azotobacter
Azotobacter