Effects of Exogenous Potassium on Growth and Physiological Characteristics of Plants Under Salt Stress: A Review

doi:10.11924/j.issn.1000-6850.casb2022-0098

Abstract

Abstract:

Potassium ion is involved in many physiological metabolic processes of plants, and can alleviate the salt stress of plants to varying degrees and promote plant growth and development. In order to fully understand the effects of exogenous potassium on plant growth under salt stress, this study summarized the effects of salt stress on plant growth and metabolism, the physiological role of potassium in plants, and the effect of exogenous potassium on the physiological characteristics of plant growth under salt stress. The study also analyzed the effects of potassium on growth and development, photosynthetic fluorescence characteristics, osmotic substances, antioxidant enzyme activities, water status, and ion distribution in plants under salt stress. Considering the lack of research on the molecular mechanism of potassium ion in alleviating salt stress in plants and its application, we suggested that future studies should focus on the two following aspects: (1) to identify the regulation and expression of potassium ion transport mechanism, signal transduction, and related genes in plants under salt stress; (2) to carry out long-term fertilizer positioning experiment and develop new potassium fertilizers that can improve salt tolerance in plants. In summary, the study can provide a solution for plant salt tolerance enhancement and saline soil improvement by using potassium in the future.

Key words: salt stress, exogenous potassium, K⁺/Na⁺ ratio, osmotic potential, enzyme activity

PING Wenchao, XU Jing, CAO Pingping, ZHANG Zhongbo, WANG Yumei, WANG Anlu, JIANG Jianxun. Effects of Exogenous Potassium on Growth and Physiological Characteristics of Plants Under Salt Stress: A Review[J]. Chinese Agricultural Science Bulletin, 2023, 39(9): 100-105.

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