It is a well-known and common concept that lightning can make grass greener and fresher. It is a fact because lightning produces nitrogen which is necessary to your grass and other plants. An alchemical reaction takes place in the lightning that produces nitrogen for the grass, or the striking of light to the ground producing nitrogen.
This article will explore the science behind how lightning interacts with the atmosphere to create a natural fertilizer for plants. We’ll also cover the beneficial effects of lightning for the better growth of grass. So, stay tuned for all the necessary details about how lightning makes the grass greener.
Theory Behind This Claim
There is a theory behind lightning making the grass greener and a science behind this claim. Lightning when strikes the ground saturated with nitrogen, provides a suitable amount of nitrogen for the plants and grass. We can say that the nitrogen present in the air drops on the grass with the help of Lightning. In the absence of rain, lightning takes out the nitrogen from the atmosphere and provides it to the ground and grass.
All these different claims make it slightly confusing, and the working of lightning still stays in the shadow. In reality, lightning takes nitrogen of air and showers it on the grass making it greener to stay healthy with extra nutrients for better growth. Hence, the lightning doesn’t zap your grass green in a moment however, it does play a part in maintaining healthy grass growth over time.
How Does Lightning Affect Grass
For direct answers, yes, lightning dies to make the grass greener, and this change is mainly due to nitrogen. The green color of the grass is due to the presence of the major component Nitrogen. In addition, Lightning is the major element to complete the atmospheric nitrogen cycle. The nitrogen produced through the nitrogen cycle is pushed down to the earth with the help of lightning.
However, the breakdown of nitrogen molecules before absorbing the soil is necessary. When the nitrogen falls on the ground, it needs a few days to be broken down to the form absorbed by the soil. After a few days, the soil receives a nitrogen boost without lightning or storms.
However lightning can speed up the process of the nitrogen cycle by helping it convert into nitrogen oxide. Thus, its further breakdown for better absorption is unnecessary. On reaching the ground the particles of nitrogen particles get absorbed into the soil. It helps the soil absorb nutrients immediately through the roots of the plants.
Does Lightning Help in Better Growth of Grass
Lightning helps the grass to grow faster by providing a boost of nitrogen. The sudden greening of the grass due to plenty of nitrogen makes the greening possible. During the lightning 78 percent of nitrogen in the air transform into Nitrogen Dioxide.
The raindrops contain the absorbed nitrogen dioxide. Thus when they fall on the grass, work like fertilizer helps the grass in greening. When there is spring, lightning boosts the growth of grass. This happens because of nitrogen which is the essential nutrient for enhanced plant growth.
Factors Helping Grass Go Green After a Thunderstorm
The grass of grass becomes more obvious after a thunderstorm due to rain. Grass and plants quickly absorb the nitrogen from rainwater. In addition, the dust and dirt are also removed from the grass blades after a thunderstorm giving the grass a fresh look. Below are some factors that help in the greening of grass after a thunderstorm:
- The dust and dirt from grass blades removed with the help of rain, make the grass look green and fresh.
- Rainwater infused in the grass blade enhances its green color and makes it look more vibrant.
- Nitrogen after absorption in the grass gives it a greener and richer look. However, the result becomes visible in a few days as there is no sudden result of the thunderstorm.
- Lightning fertilizes the ground. However, the amount of nitrogen it provides depends on the strength of the lightning.
- As the fastest fertilizer will take 2 to 5 days to act and green up your lawn grass. Hence, if your lawn grass starts to look green and fresh after an immediate storm, that is because it is washed and hydrated by rain.
Lightning Fertilize the Soil
Lightning is a source of natural fertilizer for your lawn in the form of Nitrogen. The airborne nitrogen molecules present in the air broke up by the action of lightning. The extra molecules produced then combine with the oxygen molecules in the air and produce nitrogen dioxide. This nitrogen dioxide later falls to the ground. In the end, it becomes a natural source of nitrogen fertilizer for the grass and all the other plants on earth.
Thus, the Lightning converts the raw nitrogen of the atmosphere into natural fertilizer for grass and other plants. Lightning fertilizes not only fertilize a specific area but all the nearby plants and grassy areas during the lightning storm. However, you will see the effects of lightning in a few days as no sudden and immediate results of fertilization could be seen.
Lightning is a Source of Nitrogen for the Soil
In reality, lightning does not directly provide nitrogen to the soil but changes atmospheric nitrogen into nitrogen dioxide which is a usable form for soil. Nitrogen dioxide is a beneficial and essential ingredient for grass and Lightning helps in boosting nitrogen dioxide in the nitrogen cycle process. All the blades of the grass absorb the nitrogen and get the energy that helps increase the grass’s growth. Below are some factors that explain the absorption of nitrogen with the help of lightning:
- A lightning bolt creates new nitrogen compounds.
- Rainwater is full of newly made nitrogen dioxide compounds and helps in its absorption into the soil.
- The nitrogen process absorption further increased through rainfall providing a lot of nitrates during the rainfall.
- Rainfall helps lightning to shower the nitrogen into the soil. Thus, the absence of rainfall means less nitrogen absorption into the soil.
After Effects of Lightning in Your Garden
Lightning is highly beneficial for lawns but it also comes with some limitations. Because a direct lightning strike would ruin the grass and burn the lawn completely. Lightning can kill whatever it strikes. If there is lightning during dry conditions, it can spark a fire. A direct strike of lightning is not healthy for your lawn. There must be indirect lightning that helps produce nitrogen for the lawn and acts as a fertilizer. A lightning bolt makes nitrogen atoms, which enter the nitrogen cycle and fertilize the ground. This nitrogen benefits all plants and is also perfect for the grass of your garden as nitrogen intake helps boost grass growth.
Lightning Process, AKA Atmospheric Fixation of Nitrogen
Lightning, AKA Atmospheric Fixation of Nitrogen, is not a common term however, it describes the role of lightning perfectly. During the lightning, a lot of heat is released at around 50,000 degrees F. This heat is five times greater than the heat of the sun’s surface. It breaks the nitrogen molecules making two nitrogen atoms. Later these nitrogen atoms combine with atmospheric oxygen and change to nitrogen dioxide. It dissolves into raindrops and forms nitrates. The nitrogen produced from lightning not only combines with oxygen but also combines with atmospheric hydrogen and produces ammonia. Thus, these nitrogen compounds with the help of rainfall absorb in the soil providing a natural fertilizer for grass.
How Does Lightning Effect Grass?
For so long, lightning has been linked with the greening of grass, a feature that has piqued the interest of gardeners and scientists. One of the main causes for this occurrence is nitrogen, an essential nutrient for plant growth. Lightning provides potential benefits in the long term and immediate benefits in the visual appearance of grass. Following is the list of lightning factors affecting the grass and nitrogen cycle process as well:
1. Role of Lightning in Nitrogen Fixation
The energy produced from a single lightning strike is enough to separate the atmospheric nitrogen molecule into two molecules. The extra nitrogen molecules then pair with oxygen molecules and produce nitrogen dioxide which is an essential fertilizer for grass. This whole process is known as “nitrogen fixation,” from which the earth’s soil gets enriched by nitrogen compounds quickly.
2. Effects of Lightning on Grass Health
Lightning produces Nitrogen dioxide which is necessary for promoting good health and the development of grass and plants. Nitrogen is a major component of photosynthesis and is responsible for chlorophyll production in the grass. It may be available within the plant system as it produces vital compounds such as carbohydrates just like other compounds. When more chlorophyll is produced in the grass from added lightening-induced nitrogens, becomes evident through its richer green colorization and higher photosynthesis.
3. Nature’s Nitrogen Recycling
Grass continuously absorbs nitrogen from the atmosphere through natural mechanisms but not at levels equal to what lightning delivers. It has been established that lighting only contributes about 20kg per acre per year to some areas, although it fails to meet all requirements regarding the amount of nitrates needed by plants like grasses. In this case, however, lightning-induced fixation helps supplement normal nitrogen cycling processes, benefiting overall health and vitality within the turf areas.
4. Fertilization Effect of Lightning
Lightning is a natural fertilizer for grass, providing it with essential nutrients that promote its growth and vitality. Lightning fertilization, although isn’t a substitute for traditional lawn care practices, including fertilization. However, it can add some value by enriching the soil with nitrogen compounds. Well-cushioned lawns are characterized by adequate nitrogen from lightning-induced strikes. Hence, they are more resilient, brightly colored, and grow faster.
5. Cleaning and Hydration Boost
Thunderstorms with the help of rainfall clean the dust and dirt from the grass blades. So, the grass becomes more vivid and vibrant green. In addition, rainwater also hydrates and plumps up the blades of grass. Hence, they become lush green and stand more tall after a good downpour of rain. However, these are the short-term benefits of rain.
Conclusion
Natural forces through Lightning help green the grass. However, it does not make grass green overnight. Lightning’s nitrogen-fixing process through soil involves supplying necessary nutrients, especially nitrogen, that make grass grow luxuriant and look beautiful. The thunderstorms that come with lightning strikes also help by clearing the grass of dirt and carrying nitrogen to the ground through absorption or leaching. Even though the exact lighting affecting grass growth is unclear, it does result in lawn rejuvenation, making lush green grass full of vitality.
FAQs
1. Do Plants Grow Better Because of Lightning?
We cannot say that plants grow better because of lightning, but we can say that nitrogen helps plants to grow, and lightning boosts nitrogen uptake in the plants. That’s why we can say that lightning helps plants grow better by giving them nitrogen.
2. Is Lightning Good for Grass?
Lightening is beneficial for your lawn and provides a source of nitrogen that is highly useful for growing grass and keeping it greener. A direct lightning strike is extremely harmful, but lightning near your lawn helps increase its growth.
3. Does Lightning Produce Nitrates?
Lightning helps break the bonds in airborne nitrogen molecules. These molecules of nitrogen atoms pair with oxygen molecules and make nitrogen dioxide and nitrates. These nitrates, with the help of rainfall, reach the ground and become readily available for the grass to grow better.
4. How Much Nitrogen Does Lightning Produce?
A single bolt of Lightning bolts produces almost 10,000 tons of nitrates. These nitrates are water soluble, and when they fall on the ground, plants and grass absorb them readily and enter the food chain.