eli5: Why does a potato contain so much potassium when say a watermelon does not?

Question

Have always wondered why some fruits and veg have higher potassium levels than others, is there a process they share in common?

In: Biology

Answer 1

Different organisms evolved different metabolism to adapt to their different environments. Different plant parts also have different functions, and will have different anatomy and physiology; in your example, a potato is mainly a starch storage organ, meant to be tapped into by the plant for nutrition when environmental conditions aren’t great; a watermelon is a fruit, mean to attract animals to eat it and spread seeds.