ISHS Acta Horticulturae 334: I International Pineapple Symposium
PINEAPPLE FOR GROUND COVER MANAGEMENT AND EROSION CONTROL IN SOUTH EASTERN NIGERIA |
| Authors: | J.C. Obiefuna, S.N. Asoegwu |
| Keywords: | Ananas comosus, soil loss, vegetative cover factor, root density |
| Abstract:
Pineapple morphology modified by increasing plant density accelerated soil cover and rooting density which further enhanced the effectiveness of pineapples in protecting the soil from erosion. Pineapples, planted during the late season (September) at different densities (45,000; 60,000; and 75,000 plants/ha) were monitored for ground cover and soil loss in the erodible humid tropical rain forest soil of Southeastern Nigeria. High density pineapple planting (75,000 plants/ha) reduced the vegetative cover factor to 0.24, increased vegetal cover to 89.7% in eight months, increased root density to 10.2 kg/m3, and reduced soil loss by 76% when compared to bare fallow. | |
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