This nutrient enzyme activator; Due to its function, it has a great influence on many plant processes. In addition, potassium has a strong role in the opening and closing of stomata due to its osmotic regulatory function.
If we go beyond the physiological role of potassium in plant physiology and focus on plant production, we can learn that potassium has an impact on fruit size, appearance, color, acidity, vitamin content, taste and shelf life. Sounds important, right? There is evidence to support the role of potassium in juice content, Vitamin C, to be resistant to degradation during transport and storage. Therefore, we better understand how potassium acts on plants and we must take appropriate precautions in hydroponic production by monitoring potassium levels throughout our crop cycle.
As mentioned above, potassium has an effect on many variables related to fruit quality. Potassium is involved in the productive phase of all crops. For example, we know that in flowering, potassium is used to effectively drive processes such as pollen germination. If pollen germination fails to result successfully, this will directly affect flower formation and thus yield.
A change in nutrient balance is often required when a crop is ready to flower. We usually see an increase in potassium as we move from the vegetative phase to the productive phase. Plants need more potassium to form flowers and fruits!
How Do We Use Potassium in Hydroponic Cultivation?
Potassium is a cation and helps maintain anion and cation balance in cation exchange capacity. It directly influences important variables in root zone management for hydroponic systems such as pH, osmotic pressure and electrical conductivity.
How Much Potassium Is Required in Fruiting Plants and Green Leafy Vegetables?
The amount of potassium needed by different plants will be completely crop specific and can range from 100 to 300 ppm. We can keep leafy greens at the same potassium levels throughout the cycle. However, it is necessary to increase potassium levels in the productive phases of fruiting crops.
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Below is a sample of the potassium levels required for different fruiting crops and lettuce.
| Crop | K (ppm) |
| Tomatoes | ~300 |
| Cucumber (Cucumber) | ~280 |
| Pepper | ~280 |
| Strawberry | ~150 |
| Lettuce | ~300 |
It is important to always maintain a good balance in potassium levels used in crop production. If potassium levels are higher than the required levels, we may contribute to various nutrient deficiencies by affecting the intake of passive nutrients such as calcium (Ca) and magnesium (Mg). If potassium levels are lower than recommended, there is an overall reduction in dry matter in leaves, stems and roots.
If growth is affected, less leaf space will be available for photosynthesis and also increased uptake of passive nutrients. In the next step, the roots will start looking for more potassium, which will cause reduced electron transport, creating toxic molecules that will cause chlorosis and necrosis, the most common symptoms of potassium deficiency. Potassium moves from old leaves to new leaves, so the first symptoms appear on older leaves. Usually, necrosis and chlorosis begin at the leaf margin.
How Can We Include Potassium in Our Nutritional Solution?
There are different types of compounds we can use to add potassium to our food recipes. The most common sources of potassium are:
- potassium sulfate
- potassium nitrate
- potassium phosphate
- Potassium chloride
Potassium chloride is mostly used to increase potassium when deficiencies occur due to the high potassium levels included in this compound.
Remember to always keep your plant nutrition balanced and make appropriate changes throughout your crop cycle to get the best quality and production from your crop!