Potassium is an essential mineral that regulates important bodily functions in humans and plays a key role in plant growth and photosynthesis. It is obtained through foods like fruits, vegetables, dairy products, and meat or through fertilizers and soil. In plants, potassium is necessary for carbohydrate metabolism, enzyme activation, osmotic regulation, and protein synthesis. It is also essential for photosynthesis and nitrogen fixation in legumes. The potassium cycle involves potassium moving between soil, plants, animals and decomposing matter through processes like leaching, runoff, erosion and existing in soil solution.