by Matteo Cavallito<\/p>\n
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“Food security<\/strong> and healthy ecosystems are placed in jeopardy by poor potassium<\/strong> management,” says a group of scientists in a study<\/a> published in the journal Nature Food. Deficiency of this element, in particular, can inhibit plant growth and thus reduce agricultural yields, according to a statement<\/a> released by the UK Centre for Ecology & Hydrology<\/strong> (UKCEH), one of the organizations involved in the research along with the University of Edinburgh, University College London and the Institute of Environmental Assessment and Water Research (IDAEA) in Barcelona.<\/p>\n In addition, the authors continue, “Farmers often spread potassium-rich fertilisers over their fields to replenish the depleted nutrient<\/strong>, but supply issues can inhibit its use and there are also questions about the environmental impact.”<\/p>\n