The seminars take place on the Montpellier Institut Agro/INRAE Campus of La Gaillarde (2, place P. Viala Montpellier)

Thursday april 16 , 2026– 14h – Amphi 206

Miguel Rosales
Estación Experimental del Zaidín, CSIC, Granada, Spain

Chloride (Cl–) has traditionally been considered a minor micronutrient, often associated with toxicity and negative interactions with nitrate (NO3–). However, our work redefines Cl– as a beneficial macronutrient with a central role in plant physiology.
We show that Cl– improves plant performance by enhancing water-use efficiency, maintaining photosynthesis while reducing water loss. In parallel, it promotes nitrogen-use efficiency by facilitating NO3– utilization and stimulating key metabolic processes. Under limiting conditions, Cl– improves plant tolerance to water deficit and low nitrogen availability. At the root level, Cl– modulates root system architecture and hydraulic conductivity through coordinated anatomical, hormonal and aquaporin-related mechanisms.
Overall, Cl– emerges as a key regulator integrating water, nitrogen and root function, opening new opportunities to improve crop performance and sustainability.

Contact : Yann Boursiac