Potassium The Regulator

Potassium K-Chemical Symbol K is found in every cell K is also essential to all plant and animal life K is the 3rd most abundant mineral in our bodies 85% of the K in our bodies is found in major tissues (muscles, skin blood, liver)

Potassium Essential for Humans .While orbiting the earth on of America’s astronauts developed an irregular heart beat due to a shortage of K in his diet. .Athletes drink nutrient fortified drinks to restore K lost with body fluids. .Any one with a high fever, excessive fluid loss, severe stress, shock can run short of K.

Is potassium Nutrition Different in plants? It is very similar in plants. One difference is – Plants cannot tell us when they are hungry Plants will develop visible symptoms under severe deficiency. The edges of older leaves will turn brown. Orange trees will drop their fruit

Continued Strawberries will not fully develop their sweet taste. Corn stalks will break. Tomatoes will be small and contain much white tissue.

Potassium Deficiency

Patassium P per Acre Crop Yields 220 200 bushels of corn 120 60 bushels of soybeans 135 80 bushels of wheat 280 30 tons of tomatoes

Potassium is a naturally occurring plant element food element Fertilize potassium is sometimes called “potash” Early American settlers used that name when they make soap-by evaporating-water filtered through wood ashes. This produced potassium carbonate. The ash-like residue left in the cast iron pots they called – Pot Ash – This process is registered as the first U.S. patent.

This process is registered as the first U.S. patent. Pot Ash

Potassium Commercial potash production began when supplies from Germany were stopped during the war. Carlsbad N.M. became a major producer of K. Today Canada supplies ¾ of the K used in America

Continued Potash mines were developed as sea water evaporated and K salts crystallized to become potash ore. The Deposits are a mixture- potassium chloride (KCl) and Sodium Chloride (NaCl) 95% of the commercially used K is in Agriculture 5% industrial purposes- products used in the home

Functions of K in plants resist Disease tolerate water stress develop larger stronger root systems over winter regulate the photosynthesis process K reacts with N and P to improve seed quality

Summary K is known as the “Regulator” K interacts with N and P in a positive way to improve plant quality. With out Fertilizer production food production would drop by 1/3. K is responsible for -Strong root systems

The End