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    NUTRIENT:

    POTASSIUM

    Potassium (K) is one of the essential nutrients and is taken up in significant amounts by crops. It is vital to photosynthesis, protein synthesis and many other functions in plants.

    Macronutrients

    Potassium is classified as a macronutrient, as are nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P). Plants take up K in its ionic form (K⁺).

    Producing Grains

    Potassium enhances many enzyme actions aiding in photosynthesis and food formation. It builds cellulose and helps translocate sugars and starches. And it is vital to producing grains rich in starch.

    Maintains Turgor

    Potassium maintains turgor and reduces water loss and wilting.

    Quality Nutrient

    Potassium is known as the ""quality nutrient"" because of its important effects on factors such as size, shape, color, taste, shelf life, fiber and other quality-related measurements.

    Comparing to Nitrogen

    In many high-yielding crops, the K content in the plant is comparable to the nitrogen (N) content.

    pt_nutrient_details_soybean

    Absorbing Potassium

    Potassium is absorbed by plants in the ionic form, indicated as K+.

    Potassium Protection

    Plants deficient in K are less resistant to drought, extreme temperatures and other stressors. Plants lacking K are also more susceptible to pests, diseases and nematode attacks.

    Root Growth

    Ample K can increase root growth and improves drought tolerance.

      • Producing Grains

        Potassium enhances many enzyme actions aiding in photosynthesis and food formation. It builds cellulose and helps translocate sugars and starches. And it is vital to producing grains rich in starch.

      • Maintains Turgor

        Potassium maintains turgor and reduces water loss and wilting.

      • Quality Nutrient

        Potassium is known as the ""quality nutrient"" because of its important effects on factors such as size, shape, color, taste, shelf life, fiber and other quality-related measurements.

      • Comparing to Nitrogen

        In many high-yielding crops, the K content in the plant is comparable to the nitrogen (N) content.

      • Absorbing Potassium

        Potassium is absorbed by plants in the ionic form, indicated as K+.

      • Potassium Protection

        Plants deficient in K are less resistant to drought, extreme temperatures and other stressors. Plants lacking K are also more susceptible to pests, diseases and nematode attacks.

      • Root Growth

        Ample K can increase root growth and improves drought tolerance.

      Potassium deficiency symptoms

      Symptoms of deficiency can vary across crop species, but similarities exist for how nutrient insufficiency impacts plant tissue color and appearance. Nutrient deficiencies are commonly associated with the physical location on the plant (i.e., whether the symptoms are primarily observed on older versus newly formed plant tissue), but these symptoms can spread as the severity of the deficiency progresses.

      Looking to dig deeper into potassium?

      Browse the Resource Library for Potassium-related articles, research insights and more.

      Resource Library