Potassium nutrition and plant diseases
1982
Von Uexkull, H.R.
Potassium is involved in a number of biochemical and biophysical processes that are essential for vigorous and healthy plant growth. Plants deficient in potassium have frequently structural defects such as thinner epidermal cells and increased permeability of membranes. This can lower the resistance of plants to infection. The cell sap of potassium deficient plants usually contains a higher proportion of low molecular weight, carbohydrates, amino-acids and amines that can provide a better growth media for some pathogens. Among the different groups of plants pathogens, potassium appears to be most effective in reducing bacterial and fungal diseases. A potassium deficiency favours attack of scale insects. With many other insect groups there are also indications that a good potassium nutrition helps to reduce attack, although the trends are not always clear. Because of the complexity of nutrition and disease and pests attack many aspects of this subject still remain controversial
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