![Close up of Plantain in pasture.](http://static.sciencelearn.org.nz/images/images/000/004/535/full/DNZ_ITV_02_N_cycle__uptake_by_plants_and_microorganisms.jpg?1674174587)
Plants and microorganisms take up different types of nitrogen. The main types are ammonium (NH4+) and nitrate (NO2-). Plants use nitrogen for many life processes. One is to make chlorophyll – the green pigment in plants that enables energy from sunlight to be transformed into chemical energy.
IMAGE: Plantain in pasture. © DairyNZ.