02268naa a2200241 a 450000100080000000500110000800800410001902400440006010000160010424501110012026000090023152015530024065300200179365300240181370000180183770000130185570000250186870000180189370000240191170000190193570000170195477300550197121305612021-03-10       2020    bl uuuu     u00u1 u    #d7 ahttps://doi.org/10.1002/agj2.202352DOI1 aSETE, P. B.  aPotassium fertilization effects on quality, economics, and yield in a pear orchard.h[electronic resource]  c2020  aPotassium (K) nutrient existent in the soil does not always supply pear tree (Pyrus communis L.) demand, which makes the use of potassium-based fertilizer necessary. The objective of this study was to evaluate the impact of potassium fertilization on yield and pears quality in order to establish critical K levels in soil and leaves. The treatments consisted of K application rates of control, 40, 80, 120 and 160 kg K2O ha?1 yr?1 during four crops (2013 to 2017). The fruit quantity, mass and yield were evaluated, and leaves were collected for nutrient analysis. Stratified soil samples were collected, prepared and subjected to exchangeable K extraction by Mehlich-1. In the last two crops, peel color, ethylene production, and respiratory rate were also evaluated after 90 days inside a controlled atmosphere storage chamber. After storage, pears were submitted to a shelf life of 7 days to evaluate the epidermis color, ethylene production, respiratory rate, total titratable acidity (TTA), soluble solids (SS), and pulp firmness. Potassium fertilization increased the exchangeable K contents in the soil, but it was not always correlated with an increase of K concentration in the leaves and fruit. The most economical dose was 45.40 kg K2O ha?1 in the 2016/2017 crop season. It was not possible to estimate K critical levels in the soil and leaves. The fruits submitted to higher doses of K showed the lowest values of ethylene production and respiration rate, which resulted in an increase in storage life in cold rooms and on the shelves.  aCrop nutrit ion  aSoi l fert i l i ty1 aCIOTTA, M. N.1 aNAVA, G.1 aSTEFANELLO, L. de O.1 aBRACKMANN, A.1 aBERGHETTI, M. R. P.1 aCADONÁ, E. A.1 aBRUNETTO, G.  tAgronomy Journalgv.112, n. 4, p. 3065-3075, 2020.