ISHS Acta Horticulturae 334: I International Pineapple Symposium
THE EFFECT OF PLANT POPULATION AND NITROGEN FERTILISER ON GROWTH, YIELD AND FRUIT QUALITY OF SMOOTH CAYENNE PINEAPPLE |
| Author: | E.R. Dalldorf |
| Abstract:
Smooth Cayenne pineapples were planted in November 1986 in the Eastern Cape, South Africa, at plant population densities (population) of 43 421, 56 666, 65 570 and 82 500 plants ha-1. Plots were fertilized with 600 or 900 kg ha-1 of nitrogen applied to the plant and ratoon crop. Mean D-leaf width decreased with increasing population. At the highest population, mean soil temperature was almost 2°C lower than that for the lowest population. "Early bearers" were reduced and translucency in fruits increased with increased N and decreasing population. The number of ratoon crop suckers decreased from 2.8 per plant at the lowest population to 1.6 per plant at the highest one, but increased with increasing N. Combined plant and first ratoon crop yield increased with increasing populations. However, at 41 250 plants ha-1, there were 53% more 1st grade fruit in the plant crop and 5 to 6% more in the ratoon crop than were obtained at the highest population. | |
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