Nitrogen plays a crucial role in plant growth in nature as it is an essential element required for the synthesis of proteins, nucleic acids, and chlorophyll. It is a major component of amino acids, which are the building blocks of proteins that are necessary for plant growth and development. Nitrogen also helps in the formation of chlorophyll, the pigment responsible for the green color in plants, which is essential for photosynthesis. In nature, nitrogen is often obtained by plants from the soil in the form of nitrates and ammonium, and it is crucial for overall plant health and productivity.
