About Excessive Potassium in Vegetable Plants

What Potassium Does

• Potassium is one of the primary nutrients needed for a plant to grow and thrive. Potassium helps in processing photosynthesis, promotes cell health which result in strong and healthy stems and leaves and regulates the stomata and water uptake. When potassium is present in the proper amount, the chemical regulates the vegetable plant's system and usage of the other vital nutrients for a healthy plant.

Symptoms of Excess

• Potassium in vegetable plants regulates how all the other nutrients vital to the health of the plant are absorbed and used. Excessive potassium in your vegetable plants can block the absorption of trace minerals like iron, sodium, magnesium, calcium and manganese. Without these vital trace minerals, your vegetable plant leaves will begin to yellow, starting with older leaves, and show yellow veins. Vegetables will be small, woody and sparse. The plants may exhibit signs of wilting because excessive potassium blocks the plant's ability to take up adequate water.

Test the Soil

• The symptoms of excessive potassium are similar to several plant diseases. It is important to determine the level of potassium in your soil to verify the symptoms are a result of excessive potassium. Contact your local university cooperative extension office to either have the extension office do a soil testing or direct you to a reliable soil testing lab or company. Once you have received the results, discuss with the extension agent appropriate remedies to resolve the problem.

Remedies

• After you have had your soil analyzed for potassium levels and discussed the results with your local cooperative extension agent, the agent will be able to recommend the appropriate remedy. Increasing nitrogen and eliminating any potassium application can fix minor elevations of potassium in your soil. The addition of magnesium by using Epsom salt will help your vegetables intake of magnesium, countering the potassium blockage of the mineral to your vegetable plants.