Nitrates have a very wide application. It is a component of sodium nitrate which is itself used as fertilizer in the agricultural sector. The nitrate ions are responsible for the use of sodium nitrate as a fertilizer. Plants will utilize nitrates for making proteins for their healthy growth. That is the component nitrogen present in the nitrate is responsible for this. Plants will absorb nitrates through their roots from the water. The solution of sodium nitrate is a neutral compound.