Deficiency symptoms

Symptoms include wilting, stubby roots, chlorosis (yellowing) and bronzing. Odours in some plants may be decreased

Functions in plant

Chlorine is involved in osmosis (movement of water or solutes in cells), the ionic balance necessary for plants to take up mineral elements and in photosynthesis

Mobility in plant

Chloride, the ionic form of chlorine used by plants, is usually found in soluble forms and is lost by leaching.

Influence of soil pH

Factors affecting levels

Level in soil

The soil chloride supply is interpreted as deficient for cereal grain crops when there are fewer than 60 lbs Cl/acre in the surface 24 inches of soil.

Adequate level in plants

In many plants the optimum levels of chloride concentration in plant tissue are unknown. Depending on the plant species and soil chloride supply, plant tissue concentrations can range from 0.1 to 2.0% Cl. Some species appear to be healthy with only 0.01% Cl in their plant tissue. Small grains and corn need a minimum of 0.4% Cl in their tissue to achieve their full yield potential. In some crops, concentrations greater than 0.5% Cl can lower crop yield and quality.