Potassium deficiency is common in sandy soils and soils with low clay content as potassium ions easily leech out of these soils. Symptoms of potassium deficiency include browning and curling of leaf tips, chlorosis between veins, and purple spots on undersides of leaves. It reduces plant growth, root development, and fruit development. To prevent potassium deficiency, add composted wood ash or manure to increase potassium levels in the soil, improve soil structure to reduce leeching, and use lime to increase potassium retention in acidic soils. Sources of potassium for plants include KCl, K2SO4, KNO3, sulfur coated potassium, and rock potash.