A little digging

Been doing a little research... Not much though. I still need to do more, but I've come up with some legit pointers.




Nitrogen is an important component of many important structural, genetic and metabolic compounds in plant cells. It is a major component of chlorophyll, the compound by which plants use sunlight energy to produce sugars from water and carbon dioxide (i.e. photosynthesis). It is also a major component of amino acids, the building blocks of proteins. Some proteins act as structural units in plant cells while others act as enzymes, making possible many of the biochemical reactions on which life is based. Nitrogen is a component of energy-transfer compounds, such as ATP (adenosine triphosphate) which allow cells to conserve and use the energy released in metabolism. Finally, nitrogen is a significant component of nucleic acids such as DNA, the genetic material that allows cells (and eventually whole plants) to grow and reproduce. Nitrogen plays the same roles (with the exception of photosynthesis) in animals, too. Without nitrogen, there would be no life as we know it. 

Potassium In Plants
While potassium is not a constituent of any plant structures or compounds, it plays a part in many important regulatory roles in the plant. It is essential in nearly all processes needed to sustain plant growth and reproduction. Potassium plays a vital role in:

• Photosynthesis
  
• Translocation of photosynthates
  
• Protein synthesis
  
• Control of ionic balance
  
• Regulation of plant stomata and water use
  
• Activation of plant enzymes
  
• And, many other processes
  
  
  It is known to activate at least sixty enzymes involved in plant growth. And, this may be its most important function in the plant. Plants deficient in potassium are less resistant to drought, excess water, and high and low temperatures. They are also less resistant to pests, diseases and nematode attacks. Potassium is also known as the quality nutrient because of its important effects on quality factors such as size, shape, color, taste, shelf life, fiber quality and other quality measurements.
  

• helps translocate sugars and starches
  
• produces grains rich in starch
  
• increases protein content of plants
  
• maintains turgor, reduces water loss and wilting
  
• helps retard crop diseases and nematodes