Potassium is involved in most of the biological processes of the plant. Potassium is not metabolized and forms only weak complexes in which it is readily exchangeable. This allows it a high degree of mobility. Some of the more important roles in the plant include:
- Vital for Photosynthesis. When Potassium is deficient, photosynthesis declines and respiration increases. This effect will lower the plants carbohydrate supply
- Protein Synthesis
- Breakdown of carbohydrates – a process which provides energy for growth
- Translocation (movement) of metal ions such as Iron (Fe).
- Helps control ionic balance.
- Helps the plant resist disease.
- Important to fruit and grain formation.
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Important in withstanding
- drought
- cold
- Frost
- Osmoregulation: The process of opening and closing the stomata (pores in the surface of the leaf) to control the amount of water lost to the atmosphere. In potassium deficient situations the stomata may be slow to close and may only partially open. This increases the stress from drought.
- A large effect on the quality of grain protein, efficiency of nitrogen uptake, baking quality and yield (Seed weight, seed numbers)
Table 1: Effect of Potassium on Grain size and Screenings.

Deficiencies
Potassium is a mobile nutrient in the plant. When deficiencies occur, the plant will remove Potassium from the older leaves and pump it into the younger leaves. Therefore the symptoms appear on the older leaves first. Symptoms begin as a speckling along the leaf, spreading quickly to the tip and the margin. Complete senescence (death) of the older leaf may occur.



