Vinasse is a residue from the distillation process of alcohol and it is rich in potassium (K). Its application in soil can increase the availability of the nutrient as well as cause changes in the chemical properties of soil. The objective of this study was to evaluate the technical viability of using vinasse as an alternative source of potassium in black oat/corn silage/short-season corn succession, and possible changes in soil chemical properties in the 0-10cm layer. The experiment was conducted in the city of Ajuricaba (RS) in the period of April 2010 to August 2011. The treatments used were: T1) NPK fertilizers; T2) N+P without vinasse; T3) N+P+50m³ ha-1 of vinasse; T4) N+P+100m³ ha-1 of vinasse; T5) N+P+150m³ ha-1 of vinasse and T6) N+P+200m³ ha-1 of vinasse. In black oat, total foliar content of P, K and dry matter accumulation were evaluated. In corn silage, plant height, ear insertion height and forage productivity were assessed. While in short-season corn, the weight of a thousand seeds and the grain yield were measured. Regarding soil chemical properties, pH, P, K, Ca, Mg content and cation exchange capacity were evaluated. In black oat, the highest doses of vinasse presented the lowest accumulations of dry matter and the best dose observed being that of 100m³ ha-1. For corn crop, the quantity of 100m³ ha-1 of vinasse provided similar silage productivity to mineral fertilizer, and was also able to meet the needs of potassium for the cultivation of short-season corn. In relation to soil chemical properties, significant changes in the 0-10cm layer were not observed. The use of vinasse as a source of potassium showed to be a technically viable alternative and a way to dispose of this waste in a crop level.
dose; grain yield; forage production
