DYNAMICS OF POTASSIUM IN A PANAMA ULTISOL.

Abstract

The dynamic of potassium in an ultisol was determined based on high doses of applied potassium. The critical levels of potassium and the effect of the residue on the dynamic of this element were evaluated using the yield of corn, sampling and soils analysis. The principal results indicates that the incorporation of residues from the harvests of corn is vital to the improvement of potassic fertilization. The critical level for potassium, using Mehlich 1 and ammonium acetate extracting solutions, is 0.1 meq/100 ml of soil. It is concluded that, to increase the efficiency of potassic fertilization, annual applications are more effective than high multiyear doses.