Chlorine (Cl)
Role in plants
Chlorine is essential for osmoregulation, charge balance, stomatal function, and photosynthesis (water-splitting reactions). Requirements are low.
Deficiency symptoms
- Rare
- Wilting, reduced growth
- Leaf chlorosis and bronzing in severe deficiency
Toxicity symptoms
- Leaf margin scorch/burn
- Reduced growth
- Salinity stress symptoms
- Common where chloride-rich water or KCl is used heavily
Natural sources
- Sea spray and atmospheric deposition
- Irrigation water (often significant)
- Soil salts
Fertiliser sources
- Potassium chloride (KCl)
- Calcium chloride (sometimes foliar)
- Many water sources supply adequate Cl
Plant uptake forms