Potassium

Nutrient Benefits

Antagonism

High K levels can reduce the availability of:

Boron
Magnesium

Stimulation

Increased K levels can create a demand for more:

Iron
Manganese

Functions

Aids in photosynthesis and the functioning of chlorophyll
Formation and translocation of starches, sugars, and fats
Protein formation
Aids with enzyme actions
Maintenance of cell internal pressure
Reduces wilting and respiration by maintaining balance of salts and water in cells
Improves crop quality
Increases root growth and resistance to disease and drought
Decreases lodging

Deficiency Symptoms

Light green, yellow older leaves which develops into leaf scorch
Stunted growth
Lodging
Reduced disease resistance
Weakened stalks
Misshapen seed and fruit

Factors Affecting Availability

Continuously cropped soils with low levels of organic matter
Soils without balanced fertilizer programs
Light, sandy soils where K has been leached
Periods of drought
Heavily limed soil
Prolonged periods of heavy rain in some soils (e.g. Red Ferrosoil)
Soils in which deficiencies of P and Mo have been corrected
Soils formed from parent material low in K

Sensitive Crops

Cereals, corn, canola, pulses, beans, peas, sunflowers, potatoes, tomatoes, broccoli, rhubarb, cucurbits, lettuce, apples, berries, citrus, grapes, nuts, passionfruit, stone fruit

TREATMENT OPTIONS

The following OMEX products can assist with addressing and correcting Potassium deficiency: