Along with nitrogen and phosphorus , potassium is an substantive plant life food used in large amounts by industrial plant . Plants use potassium in photosynthesis and protein synthetic thinking . A insufficiency in potassium results in dull plant growth and off - color leaf ; prove the ground or flora tissue samples to key out a K insufficiency . manipulation fertilizers high in potassium when the dirt or industrial plant tissues show low levels of potassium .
Step 1
Without the benefit of territory or tissue testing , see a K inadequacy if your works get more slowly than have a bun in the oven . essay the lower , aged leaves on the plant . If you notice light greenish or chickenhearted leaves and brown leafage edges and tips , suspect a deficiency . Without fecundation , the leaves will eventually move around from yellow to brownness and fall off . A want of potassium make plants more susceptible to temperature changes and drought and reduces disease electric resistance . Vegetables grown in potassium - deficient soil may mature unevenly and have a poor grain . Stone yield trees often produce hapless - timber and small yield .
Step 2
Soils Deficient in Potassium
A potassium deficiency is more commonly ascertain in soil with a low organic - matter content or in newfangled garden areas . sandlike territory , peculiarly in areas with eminent precipitation , may be low in K . Inadequate atomic number 19 usually is n’t a problem in laborious and richer soils .
Types of Fertilizers High in Potassium
All bags of plant food contain a three - number fertiliser grade . The last figure in the series consecrate the percentage of potassium or potash . For example , a fertilizer with a grade of 5 - 5 - 10 contains 10 percent K . Examples of fertilizers with gamy potassium content include potassium sulfate with a degree of 0 - 0 - 50 and potassium chloride with a course of 0 - 0 - 60 .
Amount of Potassium to Apply
A soil or industrial plant tissue test will accurately determine the amount of potassium fertilizer to incorporate into the soil . Colorado State University Extension aver that if you are n’t using a test , use 1/4 to 1/2 pound of potassium chloride or sulfate fertilizer per 100 square metrical unit of garden expanse . Incorporate the fertilizer into the source zona by rototilling or spading . For best results , enforce the fertilizer early on in the spring . Or , select a gamy - potassium fertilizer to add to the irrigation water or spray on the foliage during the growing season .
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