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Unfortunately, producers do not give the necessary importance to potassium (K) in plant production. Mostly, potassium fertilizers are used to fill the product towards the end of vegetation. Plants, like all other absolutely necessary plant nutrients, need potassium throughout their entire vegetation. In general, potassium is the macro element that plants need the most after nitrogen. Plants take potassium from the soil in the form of K+ ions through their roots.
So what are the functions of potassium in plants?
As it is known, the metabolic energy source used by plants is ATP. It is known that potassium plays an important role in ATP synthesis (Tester and Blatt, 1989). Potassium is effective in cell growth in plants. In addition, it is an activator of enzymes involved in protein synthesis, transportation of sugar produced as a result of photosynthesis, and nitrogen and carbon metabolism.
Potassium regulates the plant’s resistance to drought stress by ensuring the functioning of stomata. Plants that naturally contain the required amount of potassium are more resistant to drought. In addition, stomata that work well in the presence of potassium ensure that photosynthesis continues properly.
When plants receive the appropriate amount of potassium, they form more branched roots. Healthy and branched roots are necessary for plant growth, development and high-quality, abundant products. Many scientific studies have shown that potassium increases resistance to frost (Grewal and Singh, 1980). Earliness has a significant effect on the economic value of the product obtained in plant production today. It is known that plants that can receive potassium in appropriate amounts during the vegetation period mature early.
Input costs in plant production are a fact that all producers take into consideration. Agricultural pesticides have an important place among these inputs. It is known that potassium seriously reduces the negative effects of diseases and pests on plants (Perrenoud, 1977).
As with all other plant nutrients, plants need potassium throughout the vegetation process. In order for plants to produce high-quality, high-economic-value products, their potassium content should be monitored with soil and plant analyses and it should be ensured that they do not suffer from deficiencies.
Prof. Dr. Murat Ali TURAN
REFERENCES Grewal, J. S. and S. N. Singh, 1980. Effect of potassium nutrition on frost damage and yield of potato plants on alluvial soils of Punjab (India). Plant and Soil 57: 105 – 110. Perrenoud, S., 1977. Potassium and plant health. Publ. Int. Potash Inst. Born–Worblaufen. Schweiz.
Tester, M. and M. R. Blatt, 1989. Direct measurement of K channels in thylakoid membranes by incorporation of vesicles into planar lipid bilayers. Plant Physiol. 91: 249 – 252.