Geoscience Reference
In-Depth Information
7
Potassium in the soil
Background
Potassium is a chemical element and is written in chemical form as K. Plants
require large amounts of potassium for a variety of metabolic processes, even
though it is not part of the structure of the plant itself, but is present only in the sap.
Potassium is vital to plant metabolism and is involved in the following
functions:
•
enhances photosynthesis in the plant
•
controls respiration rate in the plant
•
is essential for protein synthesis
•
is important in f lowering and fruit formation
•
provides energy for plant growth through breakdown of carbohydrates
•
helps control ionic balances and translocation of metal ions
•
helps plants cope with drought conditions and effects of disease
•
improves cold tolerance in plants
•
is involved in the activation of many plant enzyme systems.
Plants are able to take up more potassium than they actually need, so excessive
amounts should not be applied.
Potassium deficiencies are common when dairying or haymaking on light
soils. Responses to potassium fertilisers are particularly evident in clover and
maize crops.
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