IRRIGATION AND POTASSIUM FERTILIZATION BY FERTIGATION IN BANANA 'WILLIANS' - PRODUCTION AND FRUIT QUALITY

The application of nutrients through irrigation water increases their efficiency of utilization by plants. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of potassium fertilization and irrigation on the yield and fruit quality of banana cv. Willians, in the Medio Paranapanema Region, Sao Paulo. Four water regimes were evaluated: rainfed, 0.7 of the reference evapotranspiration (ETo), 1.4 ETo and 2.1 ETo, combined with four doses of potassium: 0, 300, 600 and 900 kg ha year(-1) K2O, applied weekly by fertigation. Under rainfed, potassium fertilization was applied during the rainy season, split into four times. Potassium fertigation affects positively both the production and the quality of the fruits of banana cv. Willians. In addition, the fertigation increased nutrient use efficiency when compared to fertilization under rainfed conditions.