Noun: nitrification ,nI-tru-fu'key-shun
- The oxidation of ammonium compounds in dead organic material into nitrates and nitrites by soil bacteria (making nitrogen available to plants)
"Nitrification is crucial for maintaining soil fertility in agriculture"
- The chemical process in which a nitro group is added to an organic compound (or substituted for another group in an organic compound)
"The nitrification of toluene produces nitrotoluene"
Derived forms: nitrifications
Type of: chemical action, chemical change, chemical process, oxidation, oxidisation [Brit], oxidization
Encyclopedia: Nitrification