Premature senescence caused by potassium deficiency has been most severe on soils that are considered deficient or marginal in potassium for cotton growth ie.

A widespread problem of premature defoliation and physiological cut out of cotton has occurred in the Emerald Irrigation Area since the early 1980s. The problem was particularly severe in 1988 and 1989.

A problem involving leaf death and fall before all bolls are adequately developed, has occurred in cotton growing areas for some years. Early reports of this date back to at least 1981.