Normal Soil Nitrate Levels

Function

• Along with free amino acids and small peptides, nitrate is a particularly important for plant growth. The majority of nitrogen is absorbed by plants as nitrate and is usually found in chemical fertilizers, animal manure and soil organic matter. Soils with adequate nutrients help plants uptake and maintain normal nitrate levels.

Features

• Normal plant yields successfully convert nitrate to grow and produce protein. Mature plants, as well as leafy or vegetative parts of plants, exhibit normal nitrate levels. Excessive nitrate levels are typically found in plant stems or immature grain with abnormal fertility and growing conditions. Younger plants, particularly those that have been heavily fertilized or manured, also have higher nitrate levels. Perennial grass and weeds, such as fescue, kochia and burdock, are grains susceptible to abnormal nitrate levels.

Dangers

• Though nitrate helps growing plants and improves soil quality, excessive application of manure and fertilizers can become toxic and even lethal to plants and farm animals. Ineffective waste management and overuse of manure and chemical fertilizers can throw off normal soil nitrate levels. Plants experiencing stress from drought and overplanting are susceptible to excessive soil nitrogen. Other contributing factors include reduced sunlight, frost and herbicides. Soils lacking certain nutrients, such as sulfur and phosphorus, also trigger higher-than-normal nitrate levels.

Identification

• Test nitrate levels by collecting plant samples for analysis. Nitrate must be tested on isolated samples and for specific categories that test for toxicity. Diphenylamine, which contains sulfuric acid, is one test that detects potentially dangerous nitrate levels in plants and soil deficiencies. However, testing methods and treatments are customized according to soil fertility levels, crop schedules and production goals.