“…4, with values ranging from 120 to 201 m 3 ha −1 and 89 to 148 m 3 ha −1 for nonfertilized/fertirrigated and continuously fertirrigated soils, respectively. Although these values are in accordance with the application rates commonly used in the Brazilian sucro-alcohol industry -115-234 m 3 ha −1 (Tasso Jr. et al, 2007) and 150 m 3 ha −1 (Silva et al, 2014;Zolin et al, 2011), the corresponding inputs of K into the soils would reach 502 and 371 kg ha −1 (602 and 445 kg-K 2 O ha −1 ) in vinasse-free and continuously fertirrigated areas, respectively. These values are approximately 2.7-and 2.0-fold higher, respectively, than the K requirements of most crops (185 kg ha −1 ; WHO, 2006), suggesting the saturation of soils with K. Studies on the interaction of K ions and soil structures are inconclusive (Arienzo et al, 2012;Fuess and Garcia, 2014); however, the accumulation of K in soils may lead to relevant negative impacts, such as essential nutrient losses (Ca and Mg; Gariglio, 2008), an increase in soil erodibility coupled with the anticipation of runoff (Auerswald et al, 1996), and hydraulic conductivity losses due to the dispersion of fine particles (Arienzo et al, 2009(Arienzo et al, , 2012.…”