Some Effects of Potassium Deficiency on the Nitrogen Metabolism and Oil Synthesis in the Tung Tree (Aleurites Fordii)

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Abstract
During the growing season the composition of leaves and fruit of 4-yr.-old tung trees low in N and K was compared with that of trees fertilized with these 2 elements. The leaf data indicate that K-deficient trees show 2 stages; early in the season starch and polysaccharides accumulate, while later in the season they tend to disappear to a greater extent than from K-treated trees. Fruit from K-treated trees had a higher oil content than fruit from untreated trees, due both to a higher % of oil in the kernel and to a higher % of kernel. The low oil content and the accumulation of sucrose in kernels of K-deficient trees suggest that K may function in the process of conversion of sugar into oil. Fruit from N-treated trees had a higher % of kernel and a higher protein content in the kernel than fruit from untreated trees.

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