Agronomic research over the past thirty years has clearly substantiated the importance of potassium as a major plant nutrient in cotton production. Yet potassium deficiency continues to limit potential fiber yields and quality in most cotton producing states. There are many different means of addressing the potassium requirements for cotton. The desired end is to meet the annual crop nutrient needs while rebuilding or maintaining a sufficient labile soil potassium pool. The following paper will discuss the pros and cons of surface applications of potassium to achieve this end. This special session of the 1992 Beltwide Cotton Production Conference on "Solving Potassium Problems on the Farm" is a timely recognition of the current grower interest in potassium recommendations across the U. S. Cotton Belt.