**Author details**

Regarding the *ratio,* the increment in K2O doses verified that with the dose increase there was a decrease in the index. The values found were 17.78, with no application of K2O and 12.78, when the maximum dose was used (800 Kg ha-1). The reduction in the index coupled to potassium dose increments was attributed to a higher increase in acidity related to solu‐ ble solids content (Figure 12). This observation corroborates [79], who verified that in Smooth Cayenne pineapple tree, the potassium fertilization acted in two ways in the forma‐ tion of the *ratio*, as a function of the type of potassium source used. Thus, the increment in titratable acidity was bigger only when KCl was employed as a source of K than the one ob‐ served with K2SO4 application. Thus, the applications over 400 Kg há-1 K2O under the form of KCl, implicated in the production of fruits with a *ratio* below 20. When potassium sul‐ phate was employed as K source, it was possible to employ higher K doses, without the *ratio*

**Figure 12.** Effect of potassium doses in the *ratio* of cultivar 'Pearl' fruits of pineapple tree. UEMS. Cassilândia, MS,

With the results obtained, the potassium fertilization coupled with the division of doses met the requirement of the plants, according to its development cycle, mainly at the association

For the improvement of the quality of the fruits it is important the use of soil analysis, foliar analysis and visual diagnosis. Those tools are extremely important because they enable the clear evaluation of the availability of potassium and further nutrients available for the plants. Those tools also help in the rational use of fertilizers because besides the producer refraining the waste with excessive fertilization, it does not apply some nutrient that could be limited in production, thus improving the economic results of cultivation with no damag‐

being lower than 25.

216 Soil Fertility

Brazil. 2009.

**4.9. Conclusions**

of K2O to the dose of 410 Kg ha-1.

**5. Final considerations**

es to the environment.

Sarita Leonel1\* and Luis Lessi dos Reis2\*

\*Address all correspondence to: sarinel@fca.unesp.br

\*Address all correspondence to: lessireis@fca.unesp.br

1 UNESP. FCA, Department of plant production, Botucatu, SP, Brazil

2 UNESP (São Paulo State University), Botucatu-SP, Brazil
