Uptake of potassium and its influence on growth and magnesium uptake by groundnut (Arachis hypogaea L.) plants

Abstract

Groundnut (Arachis hypogaea L.) plants were grown for 55 days in dilute nutrient solution at varying concentration of potassium. Data are recorded for the rate of uptake of potassium, magnesium and growth response. Over the concentration range studied, the rate of absorption of potassium followed Michaelis-Menten kinetics with a Michaelis constant (Km) of 0.06×10−3M. Identical response curves were observed for either total growth or total uptake. Maximum yield was obtained at a concentration of about 200 μM potassium. Increasing concentrations of potassium depressed the uptake of magnesium.