%A Guang Chen, Zhenyu Gao, Guohua Xu %T Adaption of Plants to Potassium Deficiency and Strategies to Improve Potassium Use Efficiency %0 Journal Article %D 2017 %J Chinese Bulletin of Botany %R 10.11983/CBB16231 %P 89-101 %V 52 %N 1 %U {https://www.chinbullbotany.com/CN/abstract/article_3194.shtml} %8 2017-01-01 %X

Potassium ion (K+) is the most abundant cation in plants, and it plays an essential role in a number of biochemical and physiological processes during plant growth and development. Potassium deficiency in plants confines root growth, decreases the root to shoot ratio, and limits the transport of assimilates via the phloem. Limited photoassimilate production coupled with transport inhibition can lead to reduction in plant biomass. Therefore, increasing the efficiency of K+ uptake, transport and utilization in plants is important for improving crop productivity. In this review, we summarize the major advances in understanding the physiological responses of plants to K+ deficiency and propose 4 strategies to enhance K+ use efficiency in plants. Further more, We discuss the prospects for increasing K+ acquisition and use efficiency by plants.