ISHS Acta Horticulturae 425: II International Pineapple Symposium
ETHEPHON AS PINEAPPLE FLOWERING INDUCTOR IN MEXICO'S WEATHER CONDITIONS |
| Authors: | A. Rebolledo-Martínez, D. Aguirre-Gutiérrez |
| Keywords: | Ananas comosus, Ethephon, pineapple flowering, flowering induction |
| Abstract:
In Mexico, 95% of the pineapple-producing areas are located between 16 and 18 North Latitude. The weather variations through the year affect the flowering-inducing schedule, mainly in the Summer. Ethephon is widely used product in other countries as a flower inductor in pineapples, therefore the technology for its use in Mexico was developed. Four experiments were conducted from 1990 to 1993 using Ethrel; the pH solution was adjusted with borax at 5 g L-1 or CaOH at 1 g L-1 adding 10 g L-1 Urea and using 50 ml of solution per plant. The results showed that from June to September, the best treatment was 1250 a.i.g. of Ethephon per ha, split in two applications every five days; though one 625 a.i.g. and one 250 a.i.g. applications were the best in October and November respectly. The more effective hours were between 0:00 and 5:00 hours during the Summer and being more flexible as the cooler months approach. In hot months, whole plant high pressure spraying was the most effective, followed by whole plant and low pressure and pouring in the plant's heart; while in cooler months there wasn't significative difference. | |
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