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Potassium
is taken up by plants in large quantities and is
necessary to many plant functions, including
carbohydrates metabolism, enzyme activation, osmotic
regulation, and protein synthesis. Even though potassium
plays various roles in plant and animal nutrition, it is
not actually incorporated into the structures of organic
compounds. Instead potassium remains in the ionic form
in solution in the cells or acts as activator for
cellular enzymes. Potassium is essential for
photosynthesis, for N fixation in legumes, starch
formation, and translocation of sugars. As a result of
several of these functions, a good supply of potassium
promotes production of plump grains and large tubers.
Potassium
is important in helping plants adapt to environmental
stresses (e.g., improved
drought tolerance and winter hardiness, better
resistance to fungal diseases and insect pests).
Click
on the items in the cycle diagram to obtain more information.
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