Potassium for the plant: water regime stabilizer
Potassium (K)
For the plant – a stabilizer of water regime.
Potassium, along with nitrogen and phosphorus, is one of the three elements essential for the life and development of plants. Only with sufficient potassium nutrition are the main functions of the plant organism optimized.
Potassium in plants averages 0.3% by weight, with almost all of it in ionic form. Part is found in cell sap, and part is in the structural elements of the cell (mainly in the protoplasm). Potassium ions have not been detected in the nucleus.
Potassium usually accumulates primarily in the vegetative organs of the plant. More than 50% of potassium is found in young growing organs, to which it is constantly transferred from aging parts of the plants. Therefore, as a rule, all diagnostic signs of potassium deficiency (see below) first appear in the lower part of the plant.
Potassium is found in fresh leaves, buds of herbaceous and woody plants, bark, and roots of plants.
Potassium is found in fresh leaves, buds of herbaceous and woody plants, bark, and roots of plants.
The maximum potassium consumption in most plants coincides with the period of maximum development of the aboveground biomass.
It has long been established that potassium acts as a stabilizer of the water regime in plants. Potassium helps maintain tissue moisture, optimizes the absorption capacity of roots, and balances the rates of respiration and photosynthesis. As a result, potassium-supplied plants become resistant to excess and deficiency of moisture, as well as to elevated and lowered temperatures.
By improving the water regime, potassium reduces the harmful effects of soil salinization on the plant.
It has long been established that potassium acts as a stabilizer of the water regime in plants. Potassium helps maintain tissue moisture, optimizes the absorption capacity of roots, and balances the rates of respiration and photosynthesis. As a result, potassium-supplied plants become resistant to excess and deficiency of moisture, as well as to elevated and lowered temperatures.
By improving the water regime, potassium reduces the harmful effects of soil salinization on the plant.
In potassium deficiency, excess ammonia accumulates in the cells, which can lead to plant death, the processes of photosynthesis, respiration, and cell elongation slow down, causing the death of the growth tip, leaf discoloration occurs, marginal burns appear, rusty spots develop, leaves wilt, turn brown, and leaf spotting occurs. In potassium deficiency, the fruits of fruit and berry plants become less sweet, and the grain in cereals becomes thin and non-viable.
Signs of potassium deficiency in plants appear not only at critically low levels of the element in the nutrient medium but also under the influence of other factors: disruption of the ratio of mineral elements, excessive nitrogen supply, liming, reduced or increased soil moisture, etc.
Signs of potassium deficiency in plants appear not only at critically low levels of the element in the nutrient medium but also under the influence of other factors: disruption of the ratio of mineral elements, excessive nitrogen supply, liming, reduced or increased soil moisture, etc.
Medicinal plants containing potassium:
• common viburnum Viburnum opulus L., Caprifoliaceae (fruits, ash content – 240–320 mg%);
• common rowan Sorbus aucuparia L., Rosaceae (fruits, ash content – 330–420 mg%);
• species of hawthorn Crataegus L., Rosaceae (fruits, ash content – 200–460 mg%);
• species of rosehip Rosa L., Rosaceae (fruits, ash content – 240–480 mg%).
• common viburnum Viburnum opulus L., Caprifoliaceae (fruits, ash content – 240–320 mg%);
• common rowan Sorbus aucuparia L., Rosaceae (fruits, ash content – 330–420 mg%);
• species of hawthorn Crataegus L., Rosaceae (fruits, ash content – 200–460 mg%);
• species of rosehip Rosa L., Rosaceae (fruits, ash content – 240–480 mg%).