Potassium against frost of potato

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Potassium against frost of potato


Potatoes are one of the most important staple foods in the world. Due to their favorable nutritional composition, they provide high yields and contribute to a healthy human diet. 
Understanding the processes within plants, especially concerning the supply of essential nutrients such as nitrogen, phosphorous, potassium, and magnesium, is vital to fully utilizing plants' potential and, thus, tuber formation. 

Potassium plays a unique role in potato cultivation because it positively affects yield and controls the physiological processes inside the plant. 

Thus, plants that are adequately supplied with potassium are better protected from environmental stress (drought, frost, etc.) and have better quality regarding the formation of tubers.

Potassium is one of the potato plant's most essential nutrients. If used correctly and at the right time, it will significantly impact the quantity and quality of the crop. 
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What does potassium do in potato plants?

1. It resists frost damage because it raises the freezing temperature. OK, see the following picture; this is a picture from one of the experiments, and you will know how to reduce the risk of frost.

2- Potassium determines the yield and quality to a large extent.

3- Activating the enzymatic systems controls carbohydrates' formation, transport, transformation, and storage.

4- It affects the osmotic pressure in the cells and regulates the water balance.

5- It tolerates periods of drought better.

6- Improves the efficiency of nitrogen fertilization.

7- Potassium fertilization increases the potassium content in the leaves directly and indirectly by increasing the high molecular weight of sugars.

8- Increasing the concentration of citric acid reduces the oxidation of phenolic compounds and, thus, the absence of black spots. In addition, potassium increases the tuber's tolerance to external stress and thus reduces sensitivity to mechanical damage.

 During harvesting or handling.

9- In addition, the high content of ascorbic acid in potato tubers can be considered a positive quality characteristic of its antioxidant capacity.

Symptoms of potassium deficiency in potatoes:

1- Plants generally show compact growth.

2- Old leaves turn light green and necrotic later on the circumference of the leaf, boiling according to the degree of symptoms.

3- Increases the percentage of small tubers

4- Low percentage of marketable tubers.

5-More tubers are damaged during harvesting; black spots increase significantly, and losses occur during subsequent storage.

Conclusion

Potato plants are less likely to suffer frost damage thanks to potassium.

Consequently, effective potassium fertilization shields plants against the effects of frost. If enough potassium is available in the fall, plants can retain adequate sugar and potassium while avoiding antifreeze cell damage.