Potassium fertilization for pineapple: effects on plant growth and fruit yield

Adubação potássica em abacaxizeiro: efeitos no crescimento das plantas e na produção de frutos

SOIL AND PLANT NUTRITION

Potassium fertilization for pineapple: effects on plant growth and fruit yield¹

Adubação potássica em abacaxizeiro: efeitos no crescimento das plantas e na produção de frutos

Luiz Antonio Junqueira Teixeira^I; José Antonio Quaggio^II; Heitor Cantarella^III; Estêvão Vicari Mellis^IV

^IResearcher. Centro de Solos e Recursos Ambientais do Instituto Agronômico (IAC). PO Box 28, 13012-970, Campinas- SP, Brazil. E-mail: [e-mail]

^IIResearcher. Centro de Solos e Recursos Ambientais do Instituto Agronômico (IAC). E-mail: [e-mail]

^IIIResearcher. Centro de Solos e Recursos Ambientais do Instituto Agronômico (IAC). E-mail: [e-mail]

^IVResearcher. Centro de Solos e Recursos Ambientais do Instituto Agronômico (IAC). E-mail: [e-mail]

ABSTRACT

A field experiment with pineapple (Smooth Cayenne) was carried out on an Ultisol located in the city of Agudos (22º30'S; 49º03'W), in the state of São Paulo, Brazil, with the objective of investigating the effects of rates and sources of potassium fertilizer on plant growth and fruit yield. The experiment was a complete factorial design (4x3) with four rates (0, 175, 350, and 700 kg ha^-1 of K₂O) and three combinations of K sources (100% KCl, 100% K₂SO₄, and 40% K₂SO₄ + 60% KCl). Plant growth and fruit yield were evaluated. Biomass accumulation of pineapple plants was impaired by chlorine added with potassium chloride. Fruit yield increased with potassium fertilization. At high rates of K application, fertilization with K₂SO₄ showed better results than with KCl. Detrimental effects of KCl were associated with excess of chlorine.

Index terms: potassium chloride, potassium sulphate, Ananas comosus, K.

RESUMO

Foi realizado um experimento de campo com abacaxizeiro Smooth Cayenne num Argissolo Vermelho-Amarelo localizado em Agudos-SP (22º30'S; 49º03'W), com o objetivo de determinar os efeitos de doses e fontes de potássio no crescimento e produção das plantas. O experimento foi estabelecido em blocos casualizados com os tratamentos dispostos em arranjo fatorial (4x3), com quatro doses (0; 175; 350 e 700 kg ha^-1 of K₂O) e três combinações de fontes de K (100% KCl, 100% K₂SO₄ e 40% K₂SO₄ + 60% KCl). Foram avaliados aspectos do crescimento e produção de frutos. A acumulação de biomassa pelas plantas foi prejudicada pelo cloreto fornecido com o uso de KCl. A produção de frutos aumentou em resposta à adubação potássica. Com as maiores doses de K, a aplicação de K₂SO₄ mostrou-se mais vantajosa do que a de KCl. Os efeitos negativos do KCl foram associados ao excesso de cloreto para o abacaxizeiro.

Termos para indexação: cloreto de potássio / sulfato de potássio / Ananas comosus / K.

INTRODUCTION

Brazil is one of the world greatest growers of pineapple producing around 2.5 million tons in 2008 (FAO, 2010). Despite the importance of potassium fertilization for this crop, there is a lack of information about effects of different sources of K on fruit yield. According to results reported by Paula et al. (1991), Souza (1999a) and Spironello et al. (2004), fruit yield of pineapple is very responsive to potassium fertilization in Brazil.

The principal fertilizer compound containing potassium used in Brazil is potassium chloride (KCl). Potassium sulphate (K₂SO₄) is also used but it is restricted to some chlorine-sensitive crops, like tobacco and potato. In fruit crops, it is known that the choice of K source has consequences on yield and quality of pineapples, kiwifruit, grape and citrus among other fruits (KLEINHENZ, 1999). Marchal et al. (1981) observed that pineapple fertilization with KCl decreased dry extract (a measure of sugar content) and flesh color, increased acidity, and reduced fruit yield as compared to K₂SO₄. At the same time, Cl^- may cause leaf scorch in certain conditions. On the other hand, chlorine increases fruit acidity and KCl may be recommended (1/4 to 1/3 of total rate) when fruits lack acidity (Py et al., 1984).

Regardless of depressive effects of chlorine on pineapple plant growth and fruit yield described in several studies (SAMUELS; GANDÍA, 1960; LACOEUILHE, 1978; MARCHAL et al., 1981 and ZEHLER et al., 1986), KCl has been the main potassium source for pineapple in Brazil due to its lower price compared with K₂SO₄ (SOUZA, 1999a). Furthermore, Hepton (2003) stated that the better effects of K₂SO₄ are not universal, and considerable areas of pineapple fertilized with KCl with do not show any apparent adverse effect on either yield or fruit quality. To solve this issue in any particular growing area, Hepton (2003) recommended that comparative trials testing K sources should be established. So it is necessary to assess the effect of total or partial replacement of KCl by K₂SO₄ on yield and on some important characteristics of the pineapple fruit before more expensive K sources be recommended.

The objective of the present study was to evaluate the effects of rates and sources of potassium fertilizer on pineapple growth and fruit yield.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

The field was planted in June 2003, on a sandy and low fertility Ultisol located at the city of Agudos (22º30'S; 49º03'W), State of Sao Paulo, typical of this important pineapple production region in Brazil. The soil prior to set up of the experiment presented the following chemical characteristics: pH(CaCl₂) 4.1; organic matter 17 g dm^-3; P_resin 6 mg dm^-3; exchangeable K, Ca, and Mg 0.7, 3.0, and 2.0 mmol_c dm^-3, respectively, H+Al 38 mmol_c dm^-3 and soil base saturation 13%.

The experiment was set up using a complete factorial design (4x3) with four rates (0; 175; 350, and 700 kg ha^-1 of K₂O) and three combinations of K sources (100% KCl; 100% K₂SO₄, and a combination of 40% K₂SO₄+60% KCl), with four blocks (replications). In the combined treatment, 40% of K rates, as K₂SO₄, were split in the first two applications and 60% of K rates were applied as KCl in the last two applications.

Phosphorus was applied 30 days after planting (80 kg ha^-1 of P₂O₅ as single superphosphate-SSP). Nitrogen (600 kg ha^-1 of N), as ammonium nitrate and potassium rates were split in four applications along pineapple cycle according to recommendations of Spironello and Furlani. (1997). Fertilizers were surface applied, close to plant base, on an area of maximum root activity. Three months before planting, the soil was limed. Lime requirement was calculated to increase the soil base saturation to 50% of the CEC at pH 7.0 according to Spironello and Furlani (1997).

The plots were composed of three double rows (0.5 m by 1.15 m) 8 m long, summing up 39.6 m². The plant spacing within the rows was 0.4m, resulting in a plant population of about 34600 plants ha^-1. Selected slips of the 'Smooth Cayenne' variety previously treated with fungicides and pesticides were planted. Seven meters (approximately 35 plants) of central double row was sampled for evaluations.

Flower induction occurred spontaneously in about 65-85% of the plants. The remaining plants were artificially induced to flower with 3 L ha^-1 of Ethrel^® (Etephon 21.7%) + urea (2%) in September 2004, approximately 15 months after planting.

Pineapple plant growth evaluations, such as shoot plant and D-leaf mass and percentage of flowering (natural induction), were done in September 2004. Shoot plant dry matter was evaluated weighing five plants per plot. D-leaf measurements were done with 10 leaves. D-leaf S, K and Cl contents were analyzed according to Bataglia et al. (1983). Leaf area was assessed using the total leaf dry matter per plant and the weight of 70 leaf disks with known area.

Fruits were harvested in January 2005, 19 months after pineapple was planted. Fruits were picked when bottom eyes turned from pale-green color to yellow. They were harvested by hand, breaking off stalks of fruits. All fruits of central double line were harvested, counted and weighed.

The effects of treatments (sources and rates of K) were evaluated using analysis of variance (ANOVA). When the effects of K sources were statistically significant (p<0.05 for the F test), differences among sources were compared with Tukey multiple range test (α=0.05). Regression equations were fit for the variables significantly affected by rates of K. Only models (equations) statistically significant (p<0.05) were presented. If the interaction between sources and rates was significant, the regressions for rates were done by sources.

In order to compare the profitability of K fertilization with different K sources, income increase due to K application was calculated. For this comparison, the fruit price (FOB) was R$852.00 Mg^-1, KCl cost R$ 1442.00 Mg^-1 and K₂SO₄ cost R$ 2332.00 Mg^-1 (average prices from 2004 to 2009). All these prices were collected in April, 2010, when $1USD=R$ 1.80.

RESULTS AND DISCUSSION

Plant growth

Biomass accumulation, leaf area and D-leaf mass of pineapple plants were significantly affected by sources of potassium (Table 1). A linear increment of plant mass was observed in response to K application as K₂SO₄ and K₂SO₄+KCl (Figure 1). With the application of 700 kg ha^-1 of K₂O as KCl, shoot plant dry matter was increased 56 g in comparison with control treatment. For the same K rate, the treatment with K₂SO₄+KCl showed a positive variation of 112 g per plant. According to these data, K₂SO₄ seems to be more efficient than KCl to increase plant size. Those gains in dry matter accumulation is important because fruit weight is usually correlated with plant mass at pineapple flowering as indicated by Bartholomew et al. (2003) and Hepton (2003). Leaf area was affected by treatments in the same manner as plant mass (Figure 2).

It was observed that pineapple plant mass decreased linearly as Cl-leaf increased (Figure 3). No chlorine damage symptoms were found on the leaves, but K fertilization with KCl decreased biomass accumulation as compared to K₂SO₄ (Table 1). So, probably, the negative effects on plant growth of K fertilization using KCl may be related to the increase of chlorine availability on soil. These results corroborate to those reported by Lacoeuilhe (1978), Zehler et al. (1986) and Kleinhenz (1999).

The spontaneous flowering (Figure 4) was delayed by increasing K application as KCl, as demonstrated by the percentage of plants flowered on September 2004 (natural induction). The use of K₂SO₄ did not cause any significant delay on plant flowering. Delaying flowering frequently result in bigger pineapple plants and consequently, improved fruit size and quality. But in this case, postponement of flowering probably is due to detrimental effects of chlorine on plant development, as cited by Zehler et al. (1986).

In general, the use of K₂SO₄ as potassium source on pineapple nutritional program promoted superior results on pooled variables related to plant growth, compared with KCl. These effects are probably associated with excess of chloride, which may reduce leaf size and plant growth rate as previously reported by Eaton (1973). Although K₂SO₄ is also a source of S, the correlation between S-leaf content and fruit yield was not significant (p>0.05). The effect of S carried by K₂SO₄ may be also diminished by the use of single superphosphate (11% S) as a source of P at planting.

Fruit yield

As pointed by Hepton (2003), it is necessary to have pineapple plants with satisfactory dry matter accumulation before forcing in order to attain adequate fruit size for fresh market or canning. A significant relationship was observed between plant mass at forcing and fruit yield (Figure 5). So, the effects of K fertilization on plant growth showed strong relation with fruit yield.

Fruit yield of pineapple plants showed positive responses to K fertilization. Fruit production increased linearly in response to potassium applied as K₂SO₄ or K₂SO₄+KCl, whereas for KCl, fruit yield changed in a quadratic manner as shown in Figure 6. Fruit yield was strongly correlated with the amount of K built up in D-leaf (D-leaf weight X K concentration) demonstrating the importance of potassium for pineapple nutrition and production (Figure 7). These results are in agreement with those reported by Paula et al. (1991), Souza (1999b) and Spironello et al. (2004) in Brazil.

The yield of fresh fruit without K fertilization was approximately 51.6 Mg ha^-1. Maximum yield (MY) of fresh fruit was 66.6 Mg ^-1 and 63.8 Mg ^-1 attained with application of 700 kg ha^-1 of K₂O as K₂SO₄ and K₂SO₄+KCl, respectively. For KCl, the maximum fruit yield of 60.9 Mg ha^-1 was reached with the rate of 525 kg ha^-1 of K₂O (Figure 6). The quadratic response of pineapple yield to rates of KCl may be associated to excess of chlorine mainly at the higher rates of K. Pineapple has been considered chlorine sensitive according to Teiwes and Grüneberg (1963) and Kleinhez (1999). The relationship among the K leaf and the Cl leaf contents and fruit yield (Figure 8) also supports the positive effect of potassium and the detrimental effects of chlorine.

The relation between K fertilization and fruit yield (Figure 6) showed a reasonable agreement with fertilizer recommendations for pineapple crop in the State of São Paulo proposed by Spironello & Furlani (1997). For an expected yield higher than 50 Mg ha^-1 and soil K lower than 0.15 mmol_c dm^-3, it is recommended to apply 600 kg ha^-1 of K₂O. This recommendation is between the rate to achieve maximum yield with KCl (525 kg ha^-1 of K₂O) and the rate of K₂SO₄ or KCl + K₂SO₄ (700 kg ha^-1 of K₂O) that gave rise to maximum fruit yield.

The yield increase due to the use of 700 kg ha^-1 of K₂O as K₂SO₄, in comparison to KCl was 5.7 Mg ha^-1, equivalent to approximately R$ 4 900.00 ha^-1. It was sufficient to pay back the higher cost of K₂SO₄ of R$ 2 086.00 ha^-1 due to application of 700 kg ha^-1 of K₂O as K₂SO₄ instead of 491 kg ha^-1 of K₂O as KCl (Table 2). The higher cost of K₂SO₄ was balanced by the increase of fertilizer efficiency especially for the highest rate of application. Fertilizer efficiency for K₂SO₄ was around 2 000 kg ha^-1 of fruits per each 100 kg ha^-1 of K₂O, slightly higher than for K₂SO₄+KCL, while fertilizer efficiency for the rate of 700 kg ha^-1 of K₂O as KCl was approximately 1 400 kg ha^-1 of fruits per each 100 kg ha^-1 of K₂O. In terms of net profit due to K application, the combination of K sources for pineapple is also feasible. To apply approximately 40% of recommended K as K₂SO₄ (first two applications) and the rest as KCl merged agronomical advantages of K₂SO₄ with the lowest cost of KCl.

CONCLUSIONS

1-Pineapple plants showed a positive yield response to K applications. At high rates of K application, fertilization of pineapple with K₂SO₄ showed better results than with KCl. Detrimental effects of KCl were associated with the excess of chlorine.

2-The profit of fertilization of pineapple with K₂SO₄ (exclusively or combined with KCl) was higher than using only KCl as K source at the experiment conditions.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

The authors are grateful to Milton and Armando Yoshiura, pineapple growers, for their support for field activities and to Sulphate of Potash Information Board (SOPIB) and to Fundação de Apoio à Pesquisa Agrícola (FUNDAG), for financial support.

Recebido em: 15-06-2010. Aceito para publicação em: 24-03-2011.

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(Trabalho 151-10).

Publication Dates

• Publication in this collection
  25 July 2011
• Date of issue
  June 2011

History

• Received
  15 June 2010
• Accepted
  24 Mar 2011