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A chemical element with the symbol N. Nitrogen is a macronutrient, that - along with oxygen, carbon and hydrogen - is essential for plant growth.

The bacteria on the roots of leguminous vegetables, or the micro-organisms found in soil, which convert atmospheric nitrogen into nitrogen compounds that can be used by plants.

The result of a chemical process by which nitrogen in plant and animal waste is oxidised by soil bacteria. It first changes into nitrites, then into nitrates, which can be absorbed by plant roots. Nitrate of soda is an alkaline fertiliser that

Knobbly growth arising from the roots of leguminous plants. The root nodules contain bacteria used in nitrogen fixation.

Any substance, organic or inorganic, used to increase soil nutrients. It can be straight, containing only one nutrient, such as nitrogen; or compound, containing more than one nutrient; or balanced, containing equal quantities of plant nutrients.

Chris Beardshaw demonstrates how to remove blanket weed from a pond and offers advice on adding marginal plants and oxygenators to reduce excess nitrogen.summerMore water gardening advicePlanting marginals in a containerGrowing marginal pond plants

All plants need nitrogen, potassium and phosphorous to thrive, plus various trace elements. Without nitrogen the leaves turn yellow and growth is spindly. Potassium generates good flowering and fruiting and helps ripen wood. Plants lacking potassium

Dog urine contains a very high concentration of nitrogen. While nitrogen can produce a fertilising effect that promotes growth, large amounts in a concentrated area can result in dead patches of lawn. Bitches in particular cause the greater damage

Learn how to turn clumps of stinging nettles to your advantage, by turning them into nitrogen-rich, liquid plant food, in Rachel de Thame's video guide.sping-summerMore tips on nettles and feeding plantsRemoving stinging nettles from your garden

competitionFeed cabbages and other brassicas with pelleted chicken manure or another nitrogen-rich fertiliserSpray new leaves of peaches and nectarines with copper fungicide to prevent peach leaf curl Sow seeds of the following crops outside or under cloches