Chlorine (Cl) - soil and crop
Definition
Chlorine (Cl) is an essential micronutrient for plants, mainly absorbed as chloride ion (Cl⁻).
Importance in feed structure
Together with sodium and potassium, chlorine plays a role in the moisture balance of plants. In the soil, chlorine, like sodium, is susceptible to leaching, especially on sandy and alpine soils. It supports photosynthesis, osmotic regulation, and disease resistance. Chlorine also aids in water movement within plant tissues and is generally sufficient in most soils, though deficiencies can occur in sandy or leached soils.
Table 1 Chlorine content (g/kg dry matter); Eurofins Agro 2009-2013
| Grass silage | Maize | Lucerne | |
| Average | 12.9 | 2.3 | 7.1 |
| Target range | 5-20 | 1.1-2.7 | - |
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