Ngoki - 1140 Words

Functions of Potassium in Plants P When water supply is short, K is pumped out of the guard cells. The pores close tightly to prevent loss of water and minimize drought stress to the plant. If K supply is inadequate, the stomates become sluggish – slow to respond – and water vapor is lost. Closure may take hours rather than Potassium (K) increases Enzyme Activation minutes and is incomplete. crop yield and improves Enzymes serve as cataAs a result, plants with an quality. It is required for lysts for chemical reactions, insufï ¬ cient supply of K are numerous plant growth being utilized but not conmuch more susceptible to processes. sumed in the process. They water stress. bring together other molecules in such a†¦show more content†¦The plant’s transport system uses energy in the form of ATP. If K is inadequate, less ATP is available, and the transport system breaks down. This causes photosynthates to build up in the leaves, and the rate of photosynthesis is reduced. Normal development of energy storage organs, such as grain, is retarded as a result. An adequate supply of K helps to keep all of these processes and transportation systems functioning normally. Water and Nutrient Transport Potassium also plays a major role in the transport of water and nutrients throughout the plant in the xylem. When K supply is reduced, translocation of nitrates, phosphates, calcium (Ca), magnesium (Mg), and amino acids is depressed. As with phloem transport systems, the role of K in xylem transport is often in conjunction with speciï ¬ c enzymes and plant growth hormones. An ample supply of K is essential to efï ¬ cient operation of these systems. Protein Synthesis Potassium is required for every major step of protein synthesis. The â€Å"reading† of the genetic code in plant cells to produce proteins and enzymes that regulate all growth processes would be impossible without adequate K. When plants are deï ¬ cient in K, proteins are not synthesized despite an abundance of available nitrogen (N). Instead, protein â€Å"raw