Final answer:
Nitrogen-fixing plants like legumes are grown after a nitrogen-consuming crop to replenish soil nitrogen through a symbiotic relationship with rhizobia bacteria. These bacteria fix atmospheric nitrogen, which plants use for growth, also improving soil quality and sustainability in agriculture.
Step-by-step explanation:
The subject of the question involves sustainable agriculture practices, specifically the use of nitrogen-fixing plants after growing a nitrogen-consuming crop. Such practices involve growing legumes, which have a symbiotic relationship with rhizobia bacteria that fix nitrogen from the atmosphere into a form that plants can use, thereby rejuvenating the soil.
These beneficial bacteria live in specialized structures called nodules on the roots of leguminous plants like clover, peas, and beans. The bacteria convert atmospheric nitrogen into ammonia, which the plants use to synthesize amino acids and other nitrogen-containing compounds. This process not only provides a natural fertilizer to the host plant but also enhances soil fertility, making it a key component of sustainable farming.
Furthermore, plants like alfalfa and clover can also perform nitrification, converting organic nitrogen into nitrites and nitrates that enrich the soil upon leaf fall. Crop rotation with legumes is a well-established agricultural technique to maintain soil health and improve crop yield, thus aiding in the competition with weeds and reducing the need for chemical fertilizers.