Ecophysiology and nutrition of cabezona pineapple (Ananas comosus L. Merril) in Chontalpa, Tabasco, Mexico: Creole pineapple nutrition (Ananas comosus L. Merril)

Abstract

Objective: To improve the nutrition of the pineapple crop.

Design / Methodology / Approach: The applied fertilization doses were those obtained through the Integrated System to Recommend Fertilizer Dose for pineapple (SIRDF), which were: N (230kg - P (183kg) - K (300kg) and N ( 253kg) - P (138kg) - K (360kg), Corresponding to the Cutaneous Acrisol (Endoarcilic, Hyperdystric, Ferric) soil subunits (ACct (ncehdfr)) and to the Cutaneous Acrisol (Endoarcilic, Ferric) (ACct (ncefr)), which were compared with the control dose (producer): N (85kg), P (85kg) and K (85kg).

Results: It was found that in the soil ACct (ncehdfr) the dose of SIRDF; the height of fruit without crown (cm), weight of the whole fruit (kg), weight of the fruit without crown (kg), and brix degrees were high compared to the control, not so, for crown weight (kg) which was more high in the dose applied by the producer. As for the soil ACct (ncefr); plant height (cm), fruit height with crown (cm), crown height (cm), fruit circumference (cm), whole fruit weight (kg), fruit weight without crown (kg) and brix degrees were higher in the dose applied through the SIRDF, on the contrary, the weight of the crown (kg) was greater in the control.

Limitations of the study / implications: The quality of the loggerhead pineapple plant materials, agronomic management and the attack of mealybugs affect the observations of yield and quality of the fruit.

Findings / conclusions: The fruits produced with the SIRDF doses presented lower Brix degrees than those of the smooth Cayenne and MD cultivars. It can produce between 56 and 58 tha-1 of fresh fruit. This study shows that the doses of fertilizers obtained by SIRDF show positive results to improve the production of Creole pineapple in Tabasco.