When anhydrous ammonia is applied in soil, what does it react with?

When anhydrous ammonia is applied to soil, it primarily reacts with water. This reaction leads to the formation of ammonium hydroxide. The introduction of anhydrous ammonia into the soil creates a localized area of high pH due to this reaction, which helps in nutrient availability for plants.

Additionally, the ammonium ion produced can be readily taken up by plants, which makes ammonia a valuable source of nitrogen in agricultural practices. The reaction with water is fundamental to the effectiveness of anhydrous ammonia as a fertilizer, as it enhances the soil's nutrient profile. In contrast, while organic matter, soil bacteria, and carbon dioxide do play roles in soil chemistry and biology, they are not the immediate reactants with anhydrous ammonia upon its application.