Efecto de la fertilización con diferentes fuentes de potasio en el estado nutricional del cultivo de banano (musa spp).

Abstract

Banana crop production efficiency is influenced by fertilization, with the specific application of potassium (K) as one of the most critical aspects. K plays a fundamental role in several physiological processes, including photosynthesis, sugar translocation, water regulation, as well as disease and pest resistance. The objective of the study was to evaluate the impact of fertilization with different potassium sources on the nutritional status of banana. The treatments used were: a standard mixture made by the producer (T1) and three different sources of K (T2= potassium muriate, KCl, 60% K2O), (T3= potassium sulfate, K2SO4, 50% K2O) and (T4= potassium nitrate, KNO3, 46% K2O). Each experimental unit had an average of 120 plants per experimental unit, spaced 2.82 m between rows and 2.44 m between rows, to which the treatments were applied. Ten plants per treatment were used for data collection, which was carried out 8 months after application. An analysis of variance (ANOVA) was performed to determine whether or not there were significant differences between each treatment. The best treatment was T3, showing a slightly better performance than the others evaluated in relation to the amount of nutrients absorbed by the leaf.