Nutrient Knowledge. While potassium (K) doesn’t constitute any plant structures or compounds, it plays a part in many important regulatory roles in the plant.
It’s essential in nearly all processes needed to sustain plant growth and reproduction, including: photosynthesis translocation of photosynthates plant respiration protein synthesis control of ionic balance breakdown of carbohydrates, which provides energy for plant growth regulation of plant stomata and water use activation of plant enzymes disease resistance and recovery turgor stress tolerance, including extreme weather conditions Perhaps K's most important function in the plant is that it can activate at least 80 enzymes that regulate the rates of major plant growth reactions. K also influences water-use efficiency. The process of opening and closing of plant leaf pores, called stomates, is regulated by K concentration in the guard cells, which surround the stomates. International Plant Nutrition Institute. The mission of IPNI is to develop and promote scientific information about the responsible management of plant nutrition for the benefit of the human family.
IPNI’s research program supports 4R nutrient stewardship for the sustainable use of plant nutrients needed to meet future global demand for food, feed, fiber, and fuel. Research projects are located in most major agricultural regions of the world Research partners make up the heart of IPNI’s research effort since IPNI has no experiment stations or research laboratories Research projects focus on both global and regional issues.
The major periodic publications featuring IPNI research results are the Interpretive Summaries and Better Crops with Plant Food. In addition, the research is also often published in international scientific journals. IPNI research results are directly communicated to practitioners in our major periodic publications Interpretive Summaries and Better Crops with Plant Food. Organic Growers Alliance. The Institute Of Horticulture. Horticulture Week.