Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1912-12-24
POTASH IN PLANT ECONOMY

The Importance OF potash in plant
economy is not as generally under
stood and appreciated as il should be.
Without the service OF this element,
plants could not exist. Potash COM
pounds are more commonly found in
Young and growing parts OF plants than
tn the older and more matured por-
lions. The influence which potash eN-
erts I'm plant economy and the growth
and maturity OF its specialized prod
ucts may therefore be considered with
advantage by all who are interested in
the cultivation OF any OF our field.
garden or truck crops.
Careful Investigations indicate that
potash and its compounds are abso-
lutely necessary TO the proper produc-
tion Of starch. sugar and cellulose. and
without these compounds the plant
could not perform its functions salts
fsctorily. Ia just what way the potas-
slum combines with the carbon. hydro
gen and oxygen to form these COM
pounds is not clearly understood. but
enough has been discovered to deter
mine the fact that the process OF as
similation By which the elementary
constituents OF the plant are trans
formed into carbohydrate products
could not be accomplished without the
aid OF potassium compounds. II this
understood. surely the cultivator OF the
soil would give more attention to
study Of the potash supply OF his soil
and the application of those materials
likely to keep il in proper relation to
the other essential plant food ele-
ments.
Il has been known for a long time
that potassium is chiefly concerned in
the transference of starch from one
- - Starch
as all know, Is chiefly formed in the
leaves When first developed. il is in
soluble: later II is changed into soluble
compounds. which readily pass through
the plant cells and may then be carried
20 the section of the plant requiring
IL. which may be either the seed or
the fruit without the aid OF potash.
this service could not be performed,
and the plant would remain barren or
fruit Another important function
which potassium discharges in plant
economy is TO aid in the development
OF the leaves and the woody parts OF
the stems. II has been SHOWN by
experiments that where potash is sup
plfed in liberal amounts the stems viii
not be so weak and brittle as when this
element is markedly deficient In the
soil It is very important matter that
the tree should ripen and harden It's
wood. so that II may be able to bear
SIS load OF fruit the following year.
Analyses OF plants show that the
greatest amount of potassium and its
compounds are found in the stems and
leaves. which is a further evidence OF
the vital relation IL bears TO the proper
functioning Of these important parts
or the plant. II has long been known
that potassium compounds are requi-
site to the proper and normal develop
ment OF the 1eshy parts Of fruit Evil
dence 10 support this statement is not
lacking. but space fOrbids its presen-
tatiOn at this time
The cell IS the basis OF the life &C
tivity Of the plant In order that the
food out Of which other cells will pres
emily be developed may be supplied ana
the structure Of the plant enlarged ana
natured. potassium compounds are
found 10 be essential. Potassium is al
50 known TO be related to the deVti-
cpment OF prOtoplasm which may be
REGARDED as the basis OF life in all
growing plants. II certainly IS con-
cerned in the development OF plant
Juices which as all know from expert
ence are somewhat sour. II is ordl-
narily found combined. therefore, with
an acid salt and in these forms pro-
duceS what is known as tartaric, eX-
allie. citric and other plant acids. tx
perience has shown in many sections OF
the United States that when potassium
compounds have been used in liberal
amounts the period OF growth OF the
plant IS prolonged While. Of course, IL
could be used inadvisably in some sea
tons where the season OF growth Is
short. as a rule there is a tendency
for many crops TO mature too early ana
thus to shed OF OF fail 10 develop
part of the fruit OF seed that might
otherwise ripen to perfection This i'm
portant function Of potash should there
fore be kept in mind by every farmer.
II is we'll known that strong and
vigorous plant can more effectively re-
sist the inroads OF disease than a weak
one Therefore. any element which viii
tend 10 fnvigorate the crop becomes
an important safeguard to its health.
II is safe TO conclude from observa-
lions which have been made that po-
tassium compounds are very helpful 20
plants in enabling them to resist rust.
and various other fungous diseases 10
which they are subject. All leguminous
crops make an unusually heavy draft
on the potash compounds OF the soil
Therefore this element should be APP
piled with unusual liberality under
these crops and particularly on those
soils which do not contain a large