The conversion of atmospheric nitrogen (N₂) into oxidized forms that can be assimilated by plants. Biological nitrogen fixation is catalysed by the enzyme nitrogenase, which is found only in prokaryotes. Certain blue-green algae and some genera of bacteria (e.g., Rhizobium spp.; Azotobacter spp.) are capable of biochemically fixing nitrogen. Such bacteria are very important symbionts for plants growing in nitrogen-poor soils.