Potassium
Plants take up potassium as the potassium ion (K+). Potassium within plants is not synthesized into compounds and tends to remain in ionic form in cells and plant tissue. Potassium is essential for photosynthesis, starch formation and translocation of sugars within plants. It is necessary for the development of chlorophyll, although it is not part of its molecular structure.
The main functions of potassium in plants are in the translocation of sugars and its involvement in photosynthesis.
Picture by George Rehm and Michael Schmitt, University of Minnesota
