ISHS Acta Horticulturae 529: III International Pineapple Symposium
INHIBITION OF NATURAL FLOWERING OCCURRING DURING THE WINTER MONTHS IN QUEEN PINEAPPLE IN KWAZULU NATAL, SOUTH AFRICA |
| Authors: | E.C. Rabie, H.A. Tustin, K.T. Wesson |
| Keywords: | Swelpine, natural flowering, sucker growth |
| Abstract:
Natural flowering, which is mainly induced by short photoperiod and low temperatures, is a problem that is experienced in the Queen pineapple production area of Hluhluwe, Kwazulu Natal. This phenomenon causes overproduction in December/January with subsequent low market prices. Research done on the Cayenne cultivar proved that Fruitone CPA reduced natural flowering. A study was undertaken to determine whether these results were applicable to the Queen cultivar. Trials were done to determine the optimum time and dosage of application, as well as the effect of the size of planting material (suckers) and planting date on the efficacy of the treatments. The effect of treatment on plant mass, artificial flower induction, yield and sucker development was investigated. Swelpine [2-(m-chlorophenoxy), propionic acid], a product of Applied Chemical Products, was used at 2; 3.5; 5 and 7.5 l/ha split into three sprays two weeks apart. Higher dosage rates gave better results but 7.5 l/ha had a phytotoxic effect on the plant. No statistically significant differences were found in efficacy between 3.5 and 5 l/ha. Plant mass increased with an increase in Swelpine dosage and, depending on planting time, also increased yield in the natural as well as the artificially-induced crop. Results showed that time of application is critical and applications can be done from the middle of March (optimum at the end of April), but not later than the 10th of May. | |
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