What is the end product of nitrification?

The end product of nitrification is nitrate. Nitrification is a two-step microbial process that converts ammonium, initially derived from organic matter, into nitrite and then into nitrate. In the first stage, bacteria known as ammonia-oxidizing bacteria convert ammonium to nitrite. Following this, nitrite-oxidizing bacteria further oxidize nitrite into nitrate. Nitrate is a vital nutrient for plants and is a preferred form of nitrogen in agricultural practices due to its higher solubility and availability for uptake by plant roots. Understanding the complete nitrification process is essential because it plays a crucial role in the nitrogen cycle, impacting soil fertility and ecosystem health.