Which term describes the process that produces plant-available forms of nitrogen from organic nitrogen?

The term that describes the process that produces plant-available forms of nitrogen from organic nitrogen is mineralization. This process involves the breakdown of organic matter, where microorganisms decompose organic nitrogen compounds and convert them into inorganic forms, such as ammonium, which can then be taken up by plants. This is a crucial part of the nitrogen cycle as it transforms nitrogen from a form that is not accessible to plants into forms that they can readily utilize for growth and development.

Mineralization is an essential component of nutrient management practices, as it affects soil fertility and the availability of nitrogen for crops, making it a key concept to understand in the context of managing soil nutrients effectively.