Which type of ions are absorbed more efficiently due to their greater mobility?

Anions are absorbed more efficiently in many cases due to their greater mobility in the soil solution. This mobility allows anions to move freely with the soil water, making them readily available for plant uptake. The negative charge of anions means they are repelled by negatively charged soil particles, which helps them remain in the soil solution rather than binding tightly to the particles.

In contrast, cations, which carry a positive charge, tend to adhere more strongly to negatively charged soil particles, limiting their movement and making them less readily available for plant uptake compared to anions. Neutral ions, which have no charge, also have limited mobility in the soil solution as they do not interact strongly with the soil particles nor do they benefit from electrostatic repulsion. Organic ions can vary in mobility, but generally, the characteristics of anions lead to a higher efficiency in absorption compared to the other ion types mentioned. Thus, the enhanced mobility of anions is a key factor in their efficient absorption by plants.