It is essential for respiration and the synthesis and breakdown of fatty acids. Sulfur deficiencies are light green fruit or younger leaves with a lack of succulence. Elongated roots and woody stem. Excess may cause early senescence. If the water contains high levels of chloride, it will usually have high levels of sodium, however the reverse is not true.
Many waters can contain significant amounts of sodium without containing high levels of chloride.
Sodium seems to encourage crop yields and in specific cases it acts as an antidoting agent against various toxic salts. It may act as a partial substitute for potassium deficiencies. Excess may cause plant toxicity or induce deficiencies of other elements. If sodium predominates in the solution calcium and magnesium may be affected. Chloride is involved in the evolution of oxygen in the photosynthesis process and is essential for cell division in roots and leaves.