What is a symptom of potassium deficiency?

What is a symptom of potassium deficiency?

• A. Browning/scorching leaf margins, premature leaf drop
• B. Yellow tissue between veins
• C. Yellowing of older leaves first
• D. Wilting

Answer: (A)

Potassium deficiency shows up most clearly as browning or scorching of the leaf margins, often with leaves dropping earlier than normal. Potassium is a mobile nutrient, so when a plant runs short, it pulls potassium from older leaves first, and the tissue at the edges is the first to show stress. This margin scorch is the hallmark sign you’ll see in ornamental and turf plants when potassium is lacking. By contrast, interveinal yellowing points to other nutrient issues such as magnesium or iron, and general wilting or uniform yellowing of newer growth isn’t as specifically tied to potassium. So the browning/scorching margins with potential premature leaf drop best identifies potassium deficiency.

Potassium deficiency shows up most clearly as browning or scorching of the leaf margins, often with leaves dropping earlier than normal. Potassium is a mobile nutrient, so when a plant runs short, it pulls potassium from older leaves first, and the tissue at the edges is the first to show stress. This margin scorch is the hallmark sign you’ll see in ornamental and turf plants when potassium is lacking. By contrast, interveinal yellowing points to other nutrient issues such as magnesium or iron, and general wilting or uniform yellowing of newer growth isn’t as specifically tied to potassium. So the browning/scorching margins with potential premature leaf drop best identifies potassium deficiency.