Simulating the effects of different potassium and water supply regimes on soil water content and water table depth over a rotation of a tropical Eucalyptus grandis plantation

•High K fertilizer application rates increase trees water stress during drought.•Reducing K fertilization reduces tree water uptake in very deep soil layers.•Water recharge in deep soil layers is essential to limit water stress in trees.•K fertilization can be adjusted to trade off wood production and soil water demand.