Effect of Potassium on Carbohydrate Metabolism and Translocation

The respiration of glucose via glycolysis and the Krebs cycle provides carbon skeletons for synthesis of most cellular compounds plus energy to do the work of the cell. Cellulose is the material which encloses the cytoplasm and therefore, aids in maintaining a sterile environment. It also helps hold the plant upright. This chapter discusses the effect of potassium deficiency on the sugars and complex carbohydrates. In mature stems and roots, levulins were consistently lower in the low potassium plants, indicating that potassium is necessary for condensation of fructose to fructosan of the inulin type. Translocation is the movement of water, inorganic ions, and organic products of photosynthesis in the xylem and phloem of the plant. The effect of the environment on the sugarcane plant has been extensively studied by Hartt. She has found that the translocation process was hindered by a deficiency of potassium.