Potassium in plant physiological adaptation to abiotic stresses

Abstract

Potassium (K) is an integral part of plant nutrition, playing essential roles in plant growth and development. Despite its abundance in soils, the limitedly available form of K ion (K⁺) for plant uptake is a critical factor for agricultural production. Plants have evolved complex transport systems to maintain appropriate K⁺ levels in tissues under changing environmental conditions. Adequate stimulation and coordinated actions of multiple K⁺-channels and K⁺-transporters are required for nutrient homeostasis, reproductive growth, cellular signaling and stress adaptation responses in plants. Various contemporary studies revealed that K⁺-homeostasis plays a substantial role in plant responses and tolerance to abiotic stresses. The beneficial effects of K⁺ in plant responses to abiotic stresses include its roles in physiological and biochemical mechanisms involved in photosynthesis, osmoprotection, stomatal regulation, water-nutrient absorption, nutrient translocation and enzyme activation. Over the last decade, we have seen considerable breakthroughs in K research, owing to the advances in omics technologies. In this aspect, omics investigations (e.g., transcriptomics, metabolomics, and proteomics) in systems biology manner have broadened our understanding of how K⁺ signals are perceived, conveyed, and integrated for improving plant physiological resilience to abiotic stresses. Here, we update on how K⁺-uptake and K⁺-distribution are regulated under various types of abiotic stress. We discuss the effects of K⁺ on several physiological functions and the interaction of K⁺ with other nutrients to improve plant potential against abiotic stress-induced adverse consequences. Understanding of how K⁺ orchestrates physiological mechanisms and contributes to abiotic stress tolerance in plants is essential for practicing sustainable agriculture amidst the climate crisis in global agriculture.

Keywords: Abiotic stress; Mineral balance; Osmotic adjustment; Photosynthesis regulation; Physiological mechanisms; Potassium; Stomatal closure; Water-relations.