ABSTRACT
Effect of K on production and quality of grape-fruit, at the I Region of Chile

Jorge Valenzuela B.1, Jorge Alache C.2 y Jorge Olave V.2
 

In a one year trial, Potassium Sulphate fertilization on grape-fruit, cv. Frost Marsh growing at Esmeralda (I Region), induced detrimental effects on fruit quality, lowering juicevolume and weight, and increasing peel thickness and titrable acidity. However, no effects on yield, fruit number, size and other variables was observed. Larger weights for fruit anct peel, and volume for juice were measured, harvesting in August than in June or July. Also, the fruit harvested later showed less pee) thickness and acidity, than earlier harvests. Foliar analysis showed high to excessjve levels of K in all treatments, common to all species growing at Esmeralda. Previous soil analysis had shown a high availability of soil K and low levels of Mg.

Keywords:
1 Estación Experimental La Platina (INIA), Casilla 439, Correo 3, Santiago, Chile.
2 Sociedad Agrícola CORFO Ltda., I Región. Estación Experimental Frutícola de Esmeralda, Pica, Chile.