Although nitrogen is incredibly abundant in the air we breathe, it is often a limiting nutrient for the growth of living organisms. This is because the particular form of nitrogen found in air—nitrogen gas—cannot be assimilated by most organisms.

Can nitrogen be a limiting nutrient?

Nitrogen is a common limiting nutrient in nature, and agriculture. A limiting nutrient is the nutrient that's in shortest supply and limits growth. When fertilizers containing nitrogen and phosphorus are carried in runoff to lakes and rivers, they can result in blooms of algae—this is called eutrophication.

Why is nitrogen limiting for plants?

Nitrogen and phosphorus are among the elements considered most limiting to plant growth and productivity because they are often present in small quantities locally or are present in a form that cannot be used by the plant.