Efecto de la fertilización mineral con diferentes fuentes de potasio en el desarrollo y rendimiento productivo del cultivo de banano.

Abstract

The banana production in Ecuador reached approximately 6.08 million metric tons in 2022. This crop, known for its rapid growth, demands nutrients, especially potassium (K), for physiological and metabolic functions. Potassium deficiency in the soil is a significant limitation, and potassium fertilization is essential. While potassium chloride (KCl) is common, potassium sulfate (K2SO4) and potassium nitrate (KNO3) are preferred in chloride-sensitive crops. Research on bananas suggests that specific doses of K2O, such as K2SO4, KNO3, and KCl, improve yield. Studies in other crops support the effectiveness of K2SO4. Investigating the effect of potassium sources and fertilizer fractionation in bananas is proposed, considering the low efficiency in potassium fertilizer utilization. The study was conducted in a commercial banana plantation using a completely randomized block design with four treatments. The results indicate a positive impact of potassium sources on banana development and productive yield. Climatic conditions and the solubility of potassium sources influenced nutrient availability, providing valuable information for decision-making, emphasizing the importance of carefully selecting potassium sources to optimize crop yield.