Pineapple (Ananas comosus)
Botanical & General Information
- Botanical Name: Ananas comosus
- Family: Bromeliaceae
- Origin: Brazil
- Growth Habit: CAM plant, monocarpic, herbaceous
- Photosynthesis Type: Crassulacean Acid Metabolism (CAM)
- Important Enzyme: Bromelin (proteolytic enzyme)
- Starch Content: Absent in pineapple
- Average Sugar Content: 10–12%
- Acid Content: 0.6–0.8%
Propagation
- Slips: 300–400 g
- Suckers: 500–750 g
- Other methods: Crowns, but less commonly used
Planting & Spacing
- Ideal Plant Density:
- Subtropical/mild humid areas: 63,400 plants/ha. Spacing: 22.5 × 60 × 75 cm
- Tropical areas: 53,300 plants/ha. Spacing: 25 × 60 × 90 cm
- Important Operation: Earthing up (to support plant and prevent lodging)
Flowering Induction
- Ethrel (Ethephon): Commonly used to induce flowering
- Less Effective Alternatives:
- NAA (Naphthalene Acetic Acid)
- NAA-based compounds: Planofix, Celemone
- Recommended dose: 10–20 ppm
Fruit & Quality
- Winter-matured fruits: Higher acidity
- Sugar Loaf Variety: Sweetest and best-flavored
- Pineapple is non-starchy
Varieties of Pineapple
Variety | Group | Features |
Kew | Cayenne | Leading commercial, late, ideal for canning |
Giant Kew | Cayenne | Large-fruited selection |
Charlotte Rothschild | Cayenne | Suitable for processing |
Queen | Queen | Early variety, grown on hills, best for table purpose |
Mauritius | Queen | Mid-season, mainly grown in Kerala |
Jaldhup | Queen | Alcoholic flavor, special trait |
Lakhat | Queen | Queen group cultivar |
Cayenne | – | Triploid, commercially grown in Philippines |
Carbenzona | – | Triploid cultivar |
Fertilization: Aluminium Sulphate: Best nitrogen fertilizer for pineapple
(Note: It also slightly acidifies the soil which suits pineapple)
Disorders & Notes
- Multiple Crown Disorder: Found in Cayenne group (e.g., Kew)
- Winter-Matured Fruits: Tend to be more acidic
Quick Revision Points
- CAM, monocarpic, herbaceous plant
- Bromelin enzyme – proteolytic
- Ethrel @ 25–50 ppm: most effective for flowering
- NAA (10–20 ppm), Planofix less effective
- Sugar Loaf – sweetest and best flavor
- Kew – top commercial variety for canning
- 63,400 plants/ha (Subtropical), 53,300 plants/ha (Tropical)
- No starch, acid content 0.6–0.8%
