Synergistic and antagonistic interactions between potassium and magnesium in higher plants

• 来源期刊: 作物学报（英文版）
• 年，卷（期）: 2021,（2）
• 所属期刊栏目: Reviews
• 页码范围: 249-256
• 页数: 8页
• 语种: 英文

摘要

Magnesium (Mg) affects various critical physiological and biochemical processes in higher plants, and its deficiency impedes plant growth and development. Although potassium (K)-induced Mg deficiency in agricultural production is widespread, the specific relationship of K with Mg and especially its compet-itive nature is poorly understood. This review summarizes current knowledge on the interactions between K and Mg with respect to their root uptake, root-to-shoot translocation and distribution in plants. Their synergistic effects on certain physiological functions are also described. The antagonistic effect of K on Mg is stronger than that of Mg on K in root absorption and transport within plants, indi-cating that the balanced use of K and Mg fertilizers is necessary for sustaining high plant-available Mg and alleviating K-induced Mg deficiency, especially in plant species with high K demand or in high-available-K soil. The relationship between Mg and K in plant tissues may be antagonistic or synergistic depending on plant species, cell type, leaf age, source- and sink organs. There are synergistic effects of K and Mg on photosynthesis, carbohydrate transport and allocation, nitrogen metabolism, and turgor reg-ulation. Definition of optimal K/Mg ratios for soils and plant tissues is desirable for maintaining proper nutritional status in plants, leading to a physiological state supporting crop production. Future research should concentrate on identifying the physiological and molecular mechanisms underlying the interac-tions between K and Mg in a given physiological function.