Plant Nutrition
Potassium Nutrient Info
Potassium - Quick Facts
- Potassium activates more than 60 enzymes
- Potassium regulates many essential processes in the plant including enzyme activation, photosynthesis, water use efficiency, starch formation and protein synthesis
- Potassium is one of the best investments a grower can make in protecting a crop against disease, as it increases plant resistance to both biotic and abiotic stress factors.
- Form used by plants: K+
Potassium - Role of Nutrient
- Promotes stalk strength and standability and improves resistance to drought, disease and stress as it makes plant cells thicker.
- Potassium controls stomatal opening and closing, preventing transpiration losses.
- Increases seed and grain quality by reducing the infected seeds.
- Regulates water status and activation of many enzymes
- Involved in the formation and translocation of sugars, proteins, starch, and plant growth hormones.
Potassium - Nutrient in Soil
- High levels of Ca and/or Mg can limit K uptake in some soils
Potassium - Deficiency Symptons
- Tip and marginal leaf scorch - predominantly old mature foliage
- Interveinal chlorosis throughout the leaf
- Tendency to lodging - weak stalks in cereals
- Retarded root growth & reduction in yield
- Small and poorly coloured fruits, lacking flavour
- Wilted appearance under dry conditions
Potassium - Factors Affecting Deficiency
- Dry weather, poor drainage and compaction are factors that inhibit root growth and therefore reduce the availability of K.
- Plants require varying amounts of K at different growth stages, particularly at later growth stages.
- Magnesium, manganese, and calcium deficiencies become more pronounced with excess K.
- High levels of Ca and/or Mg can limit K uptake in some soils
Potassium - Deficiency Photos
Potassium deficiency in Canola | Potassium Deficiency in Canola
Potassium deficiency in Canola | Potassium Deficiency in Canola
Potassium deficiency in Canola | Potassium Deficiency in Canola
Potassium deficiency in Canola | Potassium Deficiency in Canola
Potassium deficiency in Soybeans | Potassium Deficiency in Soybeans
Potassium deficiency in Soybeans | Potassium Deficiency in Soybeans
Potassium deficiency in Soybeans | Potassium Deficiency in Soybeans
Potassium deficiency in Soybeans | Potassium Deficiency in Soybeans
Potassium deficiency in Wheat | Potassium Deficiency in Wheat
Potassium deficiency in Wheat | Potassium Deficiency in Wheat
Potassium deficiency in Wheat | Potassium Deficiency in Wheat
Potassium deficiency in Wheat | Potassium Deficiency in Wheat
R3 Agronomic Platform
Roots – The vegetative stage looks to develop vigorous, healthy roots to maximize nutrient acquisition from the soil. The end result is a healthy root rhizosphere.
Reproduce – Supply the essential nutrients at reproduction to help the plant maximize pollen viability, flowering, pollination, seed set and fruit development.
Ripen – Late season nutrition is vital to optimize the nutrient density and quality of the crop.