Final answer:
Potassium is used in turf fertilizer because it aids in strong stem growth, water movement in plants, and promotes flowering and fruiting. The presence of certain bacteria can affect how much potassium is available in the soil, which influences plant health and development. Potassium in fertilizer typically comes in forms like potassium chloride or sulfate, which are water-soluble and easily taken up by plants.
Step-by-step explanation:
Potassium is used in turf fertilizer because it plays a critical role in various plant functions that contribute to the overall health and growth of turf. Among the three main macronutrients in fertilizers, which include nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), and potassium (K), potassium is known for promoting strong stem growth, aiding the movement of water within plants, and encouraging the flowering and fruiting processes. While each macronutrient supports particular aspects of a plant's life cycle and development, potassium does not directly result in increased leaf size or promote flower formation, nor does it enhance root growth or stimulate seed germination as the sole cause. However, its presence in the soil, influenced by factors such as bacterial activity, affects nutrient availability which, in turn, impacts these plant growth factors.
Studies involving different bacterial strains, such as Strain 1 and Strain 2, demonstrate the impact microbes can have on the availability of potassium in the soil. If Strain 1 bacteria increase the potassium availability and Strain 2 bacteria decrease it, then the presence of Strain 1 would be more beneficial for the seedlings that require potassium for their growth.
Fertilizers often contain potassium in forms like potassium chloride, potassium sulfate, potassium carbonate, or potassium nitrate. The readily water-soluble nature of potassium in these compounds, often collectively referred to as potash, makes it easily accessible for plant uptake, thus bolstering the plant's growth and strengthening against stresses like disease and drought.