Economic study of fertirrigation system in banana crop (Musa sp.), 'Willians' cultivar

Brazil is in the fourth ranking position in the banana producing countries. The state of Sao Paulo accounts for approximately 17% of the national production. The areas of banana production, but restricted to the coastal strip of the state, are expanding and occupying regions of the Sao Paulo plateau. To achieve high yields, with fruit quality of banana, growers are adopting new technologies and the fertirrigation has been occupying a prominent place in the new production systems. In order to assess the economic viability of the use of potassium in different doses (0; 300; 600 e 900 kg K2O.ha-1.ano-1) in experimental planting in the Middle Paranapanema, in the state of Sao Paulo, were estimated values of the production cost and economic indicators, such as Total Operating Cost (TOC), Net Revenue and Profitability Index, of systems fertirrigated in the banana crop. According to the methodology, the use of potassium in dose of 900 kg K2O.ha-1.ano-1, applied through fertirrigation system can be recommended for banana planting, 'Willians' cultivar, in the Middle Paranapanema, state of Sao Paulo.