Effects of stillage for onion production and quality in a low yielding potential soil

Abstract

The stillage application was studied in a field experiment as a K source for onion crops growing in a Red-Yellow Latosol deficient in K. The treatments consisted in the application of stillage (0, 30, 60, 90, 120, 150, 180, 210 m³/ha) and 1.5 t/ha 4-14-8. Maximum yield was obtained with 160 m³/ha of stillage and it was similar to the yield obtained with 1.5 t/ha 4-14-8. Maximum yields were associated to K levels in the leaves around 2.7%. The application of stillage increased the yield but the agroindustrial index was elevated at 90, 120, 150, 180 and 210 m³/ha stillage levels. The K values in the soil increased with the application of stage and a leaching of K at the depths of 20 to 40 cm was observed.