Potassium deficiency made worse by

  • Acidic soils (low pH)
  • Sandy or light soils (leaching)
  • Drought conditions
  • High rainfall (leaching)
  • or heavy irrigation
  • Heavy clay (illite) soils
  • Soils with low K reserves
  • Magnesium rich soils

Potassium is important for

  • More new growth in spring
  • Leaves usually larger, greener and retained
  • Fruit set increases
  • Fruit larger with better colour and acidity
  • Overall yield can increase, cold hardiness increases