EFFECT OF CHLORIDE VERSUS SULFATE IONS ON NUTRIENT-ION ABSORPTION BY PLANTS

Abstract

A study was made of effect of variation in Cl and SO4 contents of substrate on ion variation and yield of plants, and of translocation of Cl36 in plants. Variations in SO4 content of substrate had little effect on plant content of SO4 or on absorption of other ions. Increasing Cl content of substrate resulted in linear increase in Cl content of plant, this effect being independent of substrate or plant sp. Greater yields and larger numbers of marketable lima beans were produced by all-Cl than by all-SO4 treatments, but moisture content of plants remained the same. N content of plants decreased with increasing amts. Cl in substrate for 6 of 11 plants studied, when comparisons were made on the basis of m.e.q. in 100 g. of plant material. But such decreases were noted in only 3 of 10 instances when values were based on total wt. of plants. Cl36 was present in highest concns. in conducting tissues and in pedicels of young fruit. Cl36 was translocated both upward and downward when applied to plant leaves.