Elsevier

Advances in Agronomy

Volume 6, 1954, Pages 253-303
Advances in Agronomy

Potassium in Plant Nutrition

https://doi.org/10.1016/S0065-2113(08)60387-9Get rights and content

Publisher Summary

It is often difficult to assign specific roles to potassium within closely related physiological processes as unlike nitrogen, phosphorus, calcium, and magnesium, the potassium ion does not enter into permanent organic combinations in plants, but exists as soluble inorganic and organic salts. However, potassium is essential for various metabolic activities of living cells. A lack of sufficient potassium for normal growth causes disturbances in one or more vital plant processes resulting in the appearance of visual symptoms of disorder. By comparing certain constituents and properties of plants starved for potassium with those of normal plants, much insight has been gained regarding the influence of potassium on the physiology of plants. Potassium affects the synthesis of simple sugars and starch, translocation of carbohydrates, reduction of nitrates and synthesis of proteins, and helps in normal cell division. Potassium plays a role in the maintenance of turgor in plant cells as well as in the formation of oils and in the enhancement of disease resistance.

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