Scientific Classification

• Common Name: Pineapple
• Scientific Name: Ananas comosus
• Family: Bromeliaceae
• Genus: Ananas
• Origin: South America (primarily Brazil and Paraguay)

Leading producers: Costa Rica, Philippines, Thailand, Indonesia, India, and Brazil

Botanical Description

• Growth Habit: Perennial herbaceous plant
• Leaves: Long, sword-shaped, spiny-edged, and arranged in a rosette
• Roots: Shallow root system, mostly fibrous
• Flowers: Small, purple to red, forming a dense spike on a terminal inflorescence
• Fruit: A multiple fruit (sorosis), formed by the fusion of berries from many flowers
• Seeds: Rarely produced, as commercial varieties are mostly propagated vegetatively

Economic Importance

• One of the most important tropical fruits worldwide
• Used fresh, canned, as juice, dried, or processed into various food products
• Rich in vitamins (especially Vitamin C), minerals, and antioxidants
• Contains bromelain, an enzyme with anti-inflammatory and digestive properties
• Used in cosmetics and pharmaceuticals

Varieties

• Kew: High yield, large fruits, suitable for canning.
• Mauritius: Medium-sized, excellent flavor, preferred for table consumption.
• Queen: Small, sweet fruits, good for fresh consumption.

Soil Requirements:

• Light, well-drained soil is ideal.
• Suitable soil pH: 5.5 – 7.0.
• Heavy soils can be used if proper drainage is ensured.

Climate Requirements:

• Prefers a mild tropical climate with humid conditions.
• Best grown in humid hill slopes and can also be cultivated in plains under shade.
• Ideal elevation: 500 – 700 m.
• Temperature range: 18-30°C.

Planting Material:

• Use suckers and slips weighing 300-350 g.
• Give a slanting cut before planting.
• Dip in Mancozeb 0.3% or Carbendazim 0.1% to prevent fungal infections.

Planting Season: Best time: July – September.

Spacing:

• Double row planting is recommended.
• Trench system:
  • Row-to-row spacing: 60 cm within the trench.
  • Plant spacing: 30 cm within a row.
  • Spacing between two trenches: 90 cm.

High-Density Planting

• High-density planting can increase yield.
• Spacing should be optimized to accommodate more plants per hectare while ensuring good air circulation.
• Results in higher fruit production and better land utilization.

Nutrient Management:

• Organic manure: FYM (Farmyard manure) 40-50 t/ha.
• Fertilizer dosage per plant:
  • Nitrogen (N): 16 g
  • Phosphorus (P): 4 g
  • Potassium (K): 12 g
  • Application: In two equal splits at the 6th and 12th month after planting.
• Foliar sprays:
  • 0.5%-1.0% Zinc Sulphate to correct zinc deficiency.
  • Ferrous sulphate spray at 15-day intervals to overcome iron deficiency.

Water Management:

• Pineapple is drought-tolerant but needs regular irrigation for higher yield.
• Drip irrigation is recommended for efficient water use.
• Avoid water stagnation as it may cause root rot.

Flowering Induction:

• When the crop reaches 35-40 leaf stage, apply the following for uniform flowering:
  • NAA 10 ppm + 2% Urea (50 ml/plant) poured into the crown.
  • 2% Urea + 0.04% Sodium carbonate + 20 ppm Ethephon (Ethrel) (50 ml/plant) poured into the crown.
• To increase fruit size, 200-300 ppm NAA should be sprayed after fruit formation.
• Calcium-induced iron chlorosis can be prevented by providing adequate shade.

Major Pests and Their Management

Mealy Bug

• Symptoms: Leaves turn yellow and wilt due to sap sucking.
• Control:
  • Spray Methyl demeton 2 ml/L or Monocrotophos 36 WSC 2 ml/L.

Major Diseases and Their Management

Heart Rot (Phytophthora spp.)

• Symptoms: Rotting of the central shoot, causing plant death.
• Control:
  • Drench soil with Metalaxyl 0.2%.
  • Remove and destroy infected plants.

Leaf Spot (Cercospora spp.)

• Symptoms: Brown necrotic spots on leaves.
• Control:
  • Spray Mancozeb 0.2% at 15-day intervals.

Harvesting and Yield

Harvesting:

• Pineapple takes 18-24 months to mature.
• Maturity signs:
  • Slight color change at the base of the fruit.
  • Fruity aroma develops.

Yield:

• 50 t/ha (plant crop + ratoon crops).
• A plant crop and two ratoon crops are typically harvested.
• Mauritius variety can yield up to five crops.