Description
Plants that are deficient in potassium grow slowly. The older leaves are mottled with yellow or pale green smudges. The edges of the leaves scorch and die. The dead area may extend inward between the leaf veins. Badly scorched leaves usually drop. Slightly deficient plants grow more slowly than usual and have low yields of flowers and fruit. They are especially susceptible to disease.

Potassium in the plant: Potassium is essential to the normal functioning of many plant enzymes, and facilitates the production of chlorophyll (green plant pigment), proteins, carbohydrates, and other plant tissues. Potassium is used in the production of new cells, and is necessary for the proper opening and closing of the tiny breathing pores (stomata) in leaves. This nutrient is used most heavily in rapidly growing plant parts.

Lack of potassium: When potassium is in short supply, plants break down potassium-containing compounds in their older leaves, and recycle the potassium to the new growth. That is why the symptoms develop first on older leaves.


Control
Fertilize the plant with 0-10-10 fertilizer. In the future, use a fertilizer that contains at least 5 percent potassium.

Related Links
Potassium


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