Fungi First

An Exomycorrhizal fungus forms mutual relationships with some plants, including maple trees and ferns, to help them intake phosphorus, nitrogen, potassium and water (Jenkins, 2005). 90% of all plants use Exomycorrhizal fungi, such as Maple trees, to aid in the absorption of nutrients such as potassium. But what are fungi? The definition of a fungus is any of a group of unicellular, multicellular, spore-producing organisms feeding on organic matter, including molds and yeast. A fungus has much thinner roots than a plant, which allows it to absorb nutrients, far better than plants. Also, whereas plants roots will only extend down so far, fungi roots will grow in and direction for longer distances. And what do the fungi get? The host plant provides the fungus with carbohydrates from photosynthesis (New York Botanical Garden, 2003).

Available Potassium                                                                           

Available potassium refers to one of three types of potassium, found in the soil: Unavailable, Slowly Available, and Readily Available Potassium. Up to 98% of all Potassium contained in soil is in the form of Unavailable Potassium, meaning that the form of the Potassium is mostly crystalline and not easily accessible for use by plants. Readily Available Potassium is exactly what one would assume it to be, the Potassium that plants are able to actually use. This ‘Readily Available’ Potassium is what our Potassium tests tested for. But why should it matter? What does potassium actually do? According to Dr. Jim McAfee of Texas A&M University, potassium is a key nutrient in plants tolerance to extreme conditions such as cold, heat, drought, wear and tear, and pest problems. Potassium acts as a catalyst for many processes neccasssary for plant growth to occur. Another key role potassium play is the regulation of water use known as Osmoregulation, in the long run affects carbon uptake in photosynthesis (McAfee 2012).

Potassium: Deficiency and Abundance

When there is a deficiency in potassium levels, plant growth is stunted (Rehm and Schmitt, 2002). And vice versa, if there is an abundant amount of potassium, then there should be a large amount of plant growth. Potassium is an essential nutrient for plant growth, potassium stimulates growth, increases protein production and improves resistanse to insects and diseases (Rehm and Schmitt, 2002).

V.S