Potassium (k) - macronutrients, Biology

Assignment Help:

Potassium (K) - Macronutrients

The main source of K+ for plants comes from withering of K containing minerals. Potassium released by withering dissolves in the soil solution. It can then be taken up by plants or adsorbed onto soil colloids. In plants, K+ is an important cation. It is taken up by the plant at high rates through K+ channels present in the membranes. The concentration of K+ in the cytoplasm is about 100 mM which is 5-10,times higher than K+ concentration in the vacuole. The phloem sap is rich in K+. It is the most abundant cation present in phloem with the concentration approaching that in the cytoplasm.

As the solutes of the phloem sap can be translocated both upwards and downwards in the plant, K+ movement is bidirectional. Potassium is necessary for meristematic growth. It is involved in controlling water status of plants and maintains cell turgor. There is less water loss from plants supplied with K+ due to a reduction in transpiration rate. As you know K+ plays an important role in opening and closing of stomata. Plants inadequately supplied with K+ have impaired stomata1 activity. It is also involved in the translocation of photosynthates. The main biochemical function of K+ is the activation of various enzymes. Potassium deficiency does not immediately result in visib1.e symptoms. At first there is only a reduction in growth rate. Chlorosis and necrosis appear later.

These symptoms generally appear on the margins and tips of older leaves. Plants suffering from K+ deficiency show a decrease in turgor. They easily become flaccid under water stress. Resistance to drought is, therefore, poor. Inadequate soil K+ levels can be corrected by the use of K+ fertilisers. The most widely used and cheapest potash fertiliser is potassium chloride (KCl) which is known commercially as muriate of potash.


Related Discussions:- Potassium (k) - macronutrients

Diet for cardiac patients, Diet Continue diet as prescribed at hospita...

Diet Continue diet as prescribed at hospital. Some may continue fluid and salt restriction, some may have to restrict iron and Vitamin K rich food stuff. The patient needs t

Define function of the iron uptake by cells, Define Function of the Iron Up...

Define Function of the Iron Uptake by Cells? Iron has several vital functions in the body. It serves as a carrier of oxygen to the tissues from the lungs by red blood cell haem

Quantitative characters - population density, Quantitative Characters - Pop...

Quantitative Characters - Population Density Density denotes the average number of individuals of a particular species in a unit area. In other words, it represents the numeri

Deterimne when lysosomic enzymes play a fundamental role, What are some bio...

What are some biological examples in which lysosomic enzymes play a fundamental role? The remodelation of the osseous tissue, the function of acrosomes in sperm cells and the e

Subdivisions of ecology, Subdivisions of Ecology Ecology was earlier di...

Subdivisions of Ecology Ecology was earlier divided into plant and animal ecology. However, modem ecology does not make any such distinction since plants and animals are intima

Resource use of biodiversity, Biodiversity is multiple resource based offer...

Biodiversity is multiple resource based offering us a range of products, materials and services. Our survival and well being of man-kind is directly dependent on biodiversity. Biod

Explain phyium oomycetes, Phyium Oomycetes 1) They reproduced asexually...

Phyium Oomycetes 1) They reproduced asexually by non-motile conidia and/or mobile flagellatedzoospores. 2) The sexual reproduction is by fusion of a male gamete with an egg

What is S shaped incision, Q. What is S shaped incision? The S - shaped...

Q. What is S shaped incision? The S - shaped incision is indicated where a papilla needs to be developed and was first described by Palacci. This type of incision is essentiall

Determine the parts of stethoscope, Determine the Parts of Stethoscope ...

Determine the Parts of Stethoscope A stethoscope having of earplugs, binaural pieces, flexible tubing, a stem, and a chest piece. The earplugs are attached to springs made of s

Write Your Message!

Captcha
Free Assignment Quote

Assured A++ Grade

Get guaranteed satisfaction & time on delivery in every assignment order you paid with us! We ensure premium quality solution document along with free turntin report!

All rights reserved! Copyrights ©2019-2020 ExpertsMind IT Educational Pvt Ltd