Produtividade e qualidade de batata com aplicação de sulfato de potássio

Abstract

The potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) is a vegetable plant that is characterized by a short cycle, high demand and efficiency in the absorption and accumulation of nutrients. The management of potassium fertilization in this crop stands out as one of the main factors that influence productivity, and the adequate supply of this nutrient is directly related to the quality and quantity of tubers produced. In this context, the application of potassium (K) via leaf is an interesting option, especially in the form of sulfate, because cultivars intended for industry are sensitive to chloride, source that leads to an increase in reducing sugars (undesirable to commercialization). Thus, the objective was to evaluate in the conditions of Cristalina-GO, the influence of the foliar application of K sulfate by K-leaf fertilizer at different times during the development of potato cultivars Ágata and Atlantic. The experiments were carried out in the dry season, with the cultivars Ágata and Atlantic; and in the winter season, with the cultivar Atlantic in a randomized block design with six treatments and four replications, totaling 24 plots. The treatments consisted of applications of 8 kg ha-1 of leaf fertilizer (K leaf), carried out on different days throughout the crop cycle. At 75 days after planting (DAP), leaves from the experimental plots were sampled to quantify the macro and micronutrient content. At the end of the experiments, productive and qualitative characteristics were evaluated. The cultivar Atlantic has a greater accumulation of nutrients than the cultivar Ágata. The number of applications required to increase the productivity and quality of the potato varies according to the cultivar and the season. The application to 42, 56 and 70 DAP in the cultivar Ágata provides the best productive performances of the Special class. While applications at 56 and 70 DAP in the Atlantic cultivar (winter) and at 42 and 56 DAP in Atlantic (dry), promote an increase in the productivity of the Special class and in the content of soluble solids, in relation to the absence of foliar application. The contents of total sugars, dry matter and pH of the pulp are also influenced by treatments with K-leaf.