Where and how plants detect the nutrient potassium

Potassium concentration in root cells (cytosol) immediately after the onset of potassium deficiency (time series, from left). Representation in false colors; red (highest concentration) > yellow > green > blue. WWU - AG Kudla Newly discovered group of cells in the root tip reacts to potassium deficiency and directs signalling pathways mediating plant adaptation Potassium is an essential nutrient for all living things. Plants need it in large quantities, especially for growth and in order to withstand stress better. For this reason, they absorb large quantities of potassium from the soil. In agriculture, this leads to a lack of available potassium in the soil - which is why the mineral is an important component in fertilizers. A team of German and Chinese researchers has now shown, for the first time, where and how plants detect potassium deficiency in their roots, and which signalling pathways coordinate the adaptation of root growth and potassium absorption to to uphold the plants potassium supply. The background: The absorption and transportation of potassium at the level of individual cells have been relatively well characterized, and many of the molecular structures and mechanisms which play a role in these processes are known. Also, researchers demonstrated decades ago that plants adapt very specifically to potassium deficiency. One puzzle that still remains, however, is how plants detect the availability of potassium in the soil and which mechanisms are behind the adaptational reactions in the plant's organism. The new study sheds light on these questions. The results have been published in the journal "Developmental Cell?