Skip Navigation

This Article
Right arrow Full Text (PDF)
Right arrow Alert me when this article is cited
Right arrow Alert me if a correction is posted
Services
Right arrow Email this article to a friend
Right arrow Similar articles in this journal
Right arrow Alert me to new issues of the journal
Right arrow Add to My Personal Archive
Right arrow Download to citation manager
Right arrowRequest Permissions
Google Scholar
Right arrow Articles by PENNY, M. G.
Right arrow Articles by LOVELL, P. H.
Right arrow Search for Related Content
PubMed
Right arrow Articles by PENNY, M. G.
Right arrow Articles by LOVELL, P. H.
Agricola
Right arrow Articles by PENNY, M. G.
Right arrow Articles by LOVELL, P. H.
Social Bookmarking
Add to CiteULike   Add to Connotea   Add to Del.icio.us  
What's this?

Annals of Botany 40: 801-813, 1976
© 1976 Annals of Botany Company

RESEARCH-ARTICLE

Some Effects of Potassium Deficiency on Seedling Development

M. G. PENNY1, K. G. MOORE2 and P. H. LOVELL3

School of Plant Biology, University College of North Wales Bangor, Gwynedd, U.K.

Received: 5 September 1975   

Seedlings with leaf-like photosynthetic cotyledons such as Cucumis sativus, Sinapis alba and Trifolium pratense have higher growth rates and a greater requirement for an external supply of potassium than hypogeal species (Pisum sativum, Vicia faba) or epigeal species with very fleshy cotyledons (Phaseolus vulgaris, Lupinus albus, Lupinus angustifolius). The initial stages of seedling development in the latter two groups involve mainly transfer of reserves from cotyledons to axis and a relatively small increase in total seedling dry weight takes place during the first 2 to 3 weeks.

Potassium may be drawn either from the supply already present in the cotyledons or from an external source. Species with expanding photosynthetic cotyledons utilize the reserve potassium during cotyledon development and it is not transported to the epicotyl. Thus, in these species an external supply of potassium is essential for full development of the photosynthetic system and the roots. In species whose cotyledons are not major photosynthetic organs the reserve potassium is transported from the cotyledons to the developing axis. In these species culture in a nutrient solution deficient in potassium or in distilled water increases root dry weight but reduces plumule weight (although to a lesser extent than in species with leaf-like cotyledons). In general, the response of seedlings to culture in a nutrient solution deficient in potassium was very similar to culture in distilled water only.

Thus, although all the species studied had similar levels of potassium in the seed (µg potassium/mg dry weight) its site of utilization differs. It appears that seedlings with leaf-like cotyledons are more susceptible during early seedling growth to deficiencies in external factors, such as potassium, than are species with fleshy cotyledons.


Add to CiteULike CiteULike   Add to Connotea Connotea   Add to Del.icio.us Del.icio.us    What's this?




Disclaimer: Please note that abstracts for content published before 1996 were created through digital scanning and may therefore not exactly replicate the text of the original print issues. All efforts have been made to ensure accuracy, but the Publisher will not be held responsible for any remaining inaccuracies. If you require any further clarification, please contact our Customer Services Department.