Development and quality of plants of Aechmea fasciata (Lindley) Baker with the use of potassium chloride or potassium sulphate in three frequencies applied on leaves


The frequency as the foliar fertilization is carried through in bromeliad is much varied not having a regularity, occurring cases where the aspect of the plant is made in accordance with. The potassium is between the nutrients that contribute for improvement of the quality of plants, including ornamental. The potash sources more comumente used in agriculture are the potassium chloride and sulphate, and in the potassium sulphate form for some ornamental ones, it produces plants of better quality and greaters amounts in comparison to chloride.Plants of Aechmea fasciata had been submitted to the trees frequencies of leaf fertilization and two sources, potassium chloride and potassium sulfate. The follwing characteristics had been evaluated: plant height and diameter, number of leaves, diameter of stem, dry matter of inflorescence, floral scape, stem, roots and total dry matter; diameter, length and number of shoots of the inflorescence, and the plant quality. It was observed that, in general the foliar fertilization, independently of the source and frequence, did not increment prodution and plant quality, indicanting that application of potassium is not necessary for prodution of Aechmea fasciata, and this would result in decrease of the costs for its production.