Fontes de potássio na adubação de cobertura do algodoeiro I – Produtividade, qualidade de fibras e análise econômica

A field experiment was conducted in Sapezal, Mato Grosso state, Brazil, in 2007/2008, with the purpose of determining the effect of potassium sources on yield components, yield, fiber quality and economical aspects of cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.). A randomized complete block experimental design was used, with five replications. The treatments consisted of application in covering, via soil, at rate of 100 kg ha(-1) of K(2)O, in two split applications, of the sources KCl, K(2)SO(4), KNO(3) and K(2)SO(4).2MgSO(4). The number of nodes, height, number of bolls in the superior third and the weight of boll in the medium third was higher with K(2)SO(4).2MgSO(4) than with KNO(3) source. The potassium fertilizers did not influence the fiber revenue, but the fertilizing with K(2)SO(4).2MgSO(4) source had higher cotton seed yield and lint yield, although the uniformity ratio of fibber and profitability were smaller in relation to K(2)SO(4). The fibber agio index was higher with KNO(3) source. The production cost was higher with K(2)SO(4).2MgSO(4) source and in function of the smallest production cost, KCl source presented superior liquid revenue than other treatments.