The role and importance of potassium in rice plants
Potassium is required for a number of biochemical and physiological processes in plant life. In rice, potassium plays a major role in activating various enzymes effective in growth and increasing plant resistance to environmental stress.
It should be noted that potassium is one of the three most important elements in the production of the product, which is not only absorbed by the plant in large quantities compared to other elements, but also acts as a chemical traffic police. This means that it regulates the management of other nutrients in the plant system.
Potassium has been called by various names, including root-strengthening, stem-strengthening, food-making, enzyme-activating, respiratory-regulating, sugar-and-starch transporter, and protein-making and wilting-reducing, disease-preventing.
Symptoms of potassium deficiency in rice plants usually appear as reddish-brown spots on the lower leaves as well as a high percentage of blackened or rotten roots. Potassium deficiency is often associated with brown spot disease. The presence of H2S (hydrogen sulfide), organic acids, CO2 and a large amount of ferro iron prevents the absorption of potassium in the plant.
High levels of sodium and calcium may also prevent the absorption of potassium.