ISHS Acta Horticulturae 425: II International Pineapple Symposium
EFFECT OF DIFFERENT LEVELS OF N:K2O RATIOS ON THE YIELD AND QUALITY OF PINEAPPLE IN THE FOREST-SAVANNA ECOTONE OF GHANA |
| Authors: | E. Owusu-Bennoah, Y. Ahenkorah, D.X. Nutsukpo |
| Abstract:
A field study was undertaken to investigate the most suitable N:K2O ratio required to produce economically and commercially desirable pineapple fruits var ‘Smooth Cayenne’ in the southern forest-savanna ecotone of Ghana. The trial was sited at Pokuase, Parrico and Selwood on fields previously under fallow for over five years. Nitrogen at two levels (224 and 336 kg N per ha) were each combined with different levels of K2O to give N:K2O ratios of 1:1.5, 1:2 and 1:2.5. Phosphorus (50 kgP2O5 per ha) was given as single superphosphate to all plots. Consistent and significant (P=0.05) response of the crop to the varying ratios was obtained for ratios with low level of N at all the sites. High ratios, however, reduced the fruit size and the quality. The concentrations of N, P, K in the D-leaf were below adequate levels for 10 month old plant at both N levels. Calcium and Mg, however, were adequate. No significant relationship was observed between the leaf nutrients and the yield and quality parameters. It can be concluded that N:K2O ratio of 1:2.5 at a low N level of 224 Kg per ha seem to be adequate for the pineapple var ‘Smooth Cayenne’ in the forest-savanna ecotone of Ghana. | |
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