Effect of Potassium on the Assimilate Conduction to Storage Tissue

Abstract

AbstractThe promoting effect of K+ on phloem transport has been shown by various authors for different plant species. This effect was also obtained in cases in which C02‐assimilation was not improved by K+. Experiments with Ricinus communis provided evidence that K+ favoured the flux rate of phloem sap without diluting its content in organic and inorganic solutes. This all over effect results in higher flux rates of all phloem solutes. In this respect the long distance transport of sucrose, amino acids and Mg2+ is of particular interest. The long distance transport of these compounds was shown to be favoured by K+.Potassium is known to activate starch and protein synthezising enzymes involved in the metabolism of storage tissue. There is evidence, that also in cases of a suboptimum K+ supply, the K+ level in the storage tissue probably is still high enough to provide an optimum activation of the K+ requiring enzymes. For this reason it is unlikely that the favourable effect of K+ on phloem transport is related to processes in the physiological sink. It is more likely that K+ favours the phloem loading process. Indirectly K+ could promote the phloem loading process by improving the provision of energy (ATP). It is, however, also feasible that K+ acts more directly by being involved in the ATPase reaction which is supposed to drive the sucrose uptake of sieve tubes.