Climate & Soil
Pineapple grows in warm and humid climate. It is mostly grown at low elevations in areas with a temperature range of 15 to 30ºC. It is tolerant to drought because of the special water storage cells. However, high temperature over 35ºC is unfavourable for the development of fruits. They can be grown with a wide range of rainfall from 600-2500 mm / annum, the optimum being 1000-1500 mm.
Pineapple can be grown in a wide range of soils including very poor soils, but does not tolerate waterlogging. The flavour and quality of fruit grown on light soils is considered to be superior. However the sandy and loamy soils rich in humus and the laterite soils on the hillslopes are suitable for its cultivation. It prefers soils with a pH range of 5.0-6.0. It can be grown as a pure crop on plantation scale or as an intercrop in coconut gardens.
The planting season is May-June. Planting should be avoided during the periods of heavy rains.
Varieties
In international trade, the numerous pineapple cultivars are grouped in four main classes: 'Smooth Cayenne', 'Red Spanish', 'Queen', and 'Abacaxi', despite much variation in the types within each class.
Smooth Cayenne or Cayenne ('Maipuri', 'Kew', 'Sarawak', 'Esmeralda', 'Claire', 'Typhoon', 'Saint Michel'):
|
|
Smooth Cayenne is extensively cultivated in Hawaii, Philippines, Australia, South Africa, Puerto Rico, Kenya, Mexico, Cuba and Formosa. The ovoid medium-sized fruit (1.5 to 2.5 kg) of 'Smooth Cayenne' is held on a short and strong peduncle. It ripens progressively, turning yellow from the base to the top, which is reflected in a strong internal maturity gradient too. The flesh is firm, close-textured, juicy and with a pale-yellow to yellow colour at maturity. And average acid range lies between 0.5 and 1.0% and total soluble solids (TSS) between 12° and 16° Brix. The plant is a poor producer of shoots and slips. The production cycle is longer than for most other cultivars. 'Smooth Cayenne' is sensitive to many known pests (fruit borers, mites, symphillids, nematodes) and diseases (mealybug wilt, fusariosis, fruitlet core rot, butt rot), and to internal browning. However, it is considered tolerant to Phytophthora sp. and resistant to fruit collapse, caused by Erwinia chrysanthemi Burkbolder. |
|
|
