Potassium (K) is an essential nutrient for maintaining quality in vegetable and fruit growing. This nutrient has a great effect on many plants due to its function as an enzyme activator. In addition, potassium (K) has a strong role in the opening and closing of stomata in plant leaves.
If we look at the role of potassium in plant physiology; We can see that potassium has an effect on fruit size, appearance, color, fruit acidity, vitamin content, taste and shelf life.
There is also evidence supporting that potassium (K) improves juice content, its role in vitamin C, and resistance to spoilage during transportation and storage.
Potassium (K) can affect many variables related to fruit quality. Potassium (K) is involved in the productive phase of all plants. For example, we know that in flowering, potassium is used to effectively drive processes such as pollen germination. If pollen germination fails, this will directly affect flower formation and thus yield.
When plants reach the flowering stage, there is often a change in their nutrient balance. An increase in potassium requirement is observed as plants move from the vegetative stage to the productive stage. In other words, plants need more potassium to produce flowers and fruits.
Potassium is a cation and plays a role in cation exchange capacity, which directly affects important variables in root zone management for hydroponic systems such as pH, osmotic pressure and electrical conductivity, which helps maintain anion and cation balance.
The amount of potassium required by different plants is completely crop specific and can range from 100 to 300 ppm. In leafy greens, the same potassium levels can be maintained throughout the cycle. But for fruiting crops, it is necessary to raise potassium levels during the production phase. Below is an example of potassium levels required for different crops and lettuce.
Related Products
Product Potassium (K) / ppm
Tomato ~300
Cucumber ~280
Pepper ~280
Strawberry ~150
Lettuce ~300
It is important to always maintain a good balance in the potassium level used during production. If potassium (K) levels are higher than they should be, the intake of secondary nutrients such as calcium (Ca) and magnesium (Mg) may be affected, contributing to several nutrient deficiencies.
If potassium levels are lower than recommended, yellowing of leaves and reduced stem development and growth are seen. If growth is affected, there will also be a decrease in photosynthesis due to the reduced leaf ratio. After this stage, chlorosis and necrosis begin to appear on the leaf margins due to potassium deficiency in the plant that needs more potassium.
Potassium deficiency during production can be compensated by external potassium supplementation.
The 4 different sources of potassium that are commonly used today are:
Among these nutrients, it contains the highest potassium, potassium chloride. This water-soluble fertilizer contains more than 50% potassium. For this reason, potassium chloride is mostly used to increase the potassium ratio in the plant.
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!