Resumen
- Determination of nutrients and nematicide losses in drainage water of a banana plantation. Losses of nutrients and of the nematicide ethoprop (Mocap) in drainage water were quantified during 2 months in "Los Diamantes" banana plantation at Guapiles. The measured concentrations of K+, Ca2+, Mg2+ and NO3- in the drains are relatively constant in time. The total losses of these elements were Ill, 368, 123 and 29 kg/ha/year, and the losses are linearly proportional to the water discharge. As for N, which is most indicative of the loss of fertilizer, about 26% of the amount applied on the plantation was lost under the form of nitrate into drainage water. The observed losses of the nematicide Mocap were small. For a better estimation of the total annual losses more observations are necessary, especially under different climatological conditions.