Fluoride in soil and plant

Abstract

Fluorine is unique chemical element which occurs naturally, but is not an essential nutrient for plants. Fluoride toxicity can arise due to excessive fluoride intake from a variety of natural or manmade sources. Fluoride is phytotoxic to most plants. Plants which are sensitive for fluorine exposure even low concentrations of fluorine can cause leave damage and a decline in growth. All vegetation contains some fluoride absorbed from soil and water. The highest levels of F in field-grown vegetables are found up to 40 mg kg -1 fresh weight although fluoride is relatively immobile and is not easily leached in soil because most of the fluoride was not readily soluble or exchangeable. Also, high concentrations of fluoride primarily associated with the soil colloid or clay fraction can increase fluoride levels in soil solution, increasing uptake via the plant root. In soils more than 90 percent of the natural fluoride ranging from 20 to 1,000 μg g -1 is insoluble, or tightly bound to soil particles. The excess accumulation of fluorides in vegetation leads to visible leaf injury, damage to fruits, changes in the yield. The amount of fluoride taken up by plants depending on the type of plant, the nature of the soil, and the amount and form of fluoride in the soil should be controlled. Conclusively, fluoride is possible and long-term pollution effects on plant growth through accumulation of the fluoride retained in the soil.