NITROGEN FIXING
Soybeans need nitrogen to produce protein
Through the process of nitrogen fixation, soybean plants draw most of the nitrogen they need from the atmosphere. This is different from other crops, which require nitrogen fertilizers to be applied for them to use it.
Nitrogen is important to plant growth
This nutrient plays a role in key functions and development in soybeans. Nitrogen is a building block for plant life. Soybean plants need it to make protein and amino acids.
Prevalent in the atmosphere, but mostly unusable
Even though it’s all around in the atmosphere, most plants are unable to draw the nitrogen they need from the atmosphere. Soybeans are able to fix most of their own nitrogen.
Symbiotic nitrogen fixation
Microorganisms that live in very small nodules on the soybean’s roots fix nitrogen to make it usable for the soybean plant.
Working together
These microorganisms get the food they need from the root of the plant while converting atmospheric nitrogen into something the soybean plant can use.
Back into the soil
Not only do soybeans fix the nitrogen they need but they add nitrogen into soil.
Nitrogen fixing provides for soybeans and future crops
As part of a crop rotation where farmers rotate which crops they plant each year, soybeans help farmers prepare soil and use fewer resources for the next season’s crop.