PRODUCTION GUIDE FOR PINEAPPLE

Mercedes M. Arcelo

Pineapple (Ananas comosus), a tropical plant with edible multiple

fruit consisting of coalesced berries, named for resemblance to the pine cone, is the
most economically important plant in the Bromeliaceae family. It is mainly grown for
its fruits, either fresh or in processed forms. Pineapples may be cultivated from a
crown cutting of the fruit, possibly flowering in 20-24 months and fruiting in the
following six months.

In the Philippines, Pineapple is extensively cultivated in the Northern

Mindanao, SOCCKSARGEN (Southern Cotabato, Cotabato Province, Sultan Kudarat,
Sarangani, General Santos City), Bukidnon, Bicol and CALABARZON (Cavite, Laguna,
Batangas, Rizal, Quezon) for domestic and foreign markets either fresh and for
processing. The Philippines is the second biggest pineapple-exporting country in the
world next to Thailand. In 2009, 57,687 ha were planted to the crop with a total
production of 2,198,497 MT.

Pineapple may be consumed fresh, canned, juiced, and are found in a wide
array of food stuffs - dessert, fruit salad, jam, yogurt, ice cream, candy, and as a
complement to meat dishes. Like the other fruit, pineapple has vitamins, minerals,
fiber and enzymes that is good for the digestive system and helps in maintaining ideal
weight and balanced nutrition. Pineapple is a good source of Vitamin C . Pineapple
has minimal fat and sodium with no-cholesterol. It is believed to protect against
cancer and break up blood clots and is beneficial to the heart. It also relieves
intestinal disorders and soothes the bile and has the capacity to stimulates the
kidneys and aids in removing toxic elements in the body. This also helps accelerate
the healing of wounds due to injury or surgery. It also reduces inflammation.

In addition to consumption, in the Philippines the pineapple's leaves are used

as the source of fine grade textile fibers which can be used in the manufacture of the
luxurious and famous piña cloth, twines and cordage and is employed as a
component of wall paper and furnishings, amongst other uses. Its leaf juices and the
unripe fruit is a source of medicine for anthelmintic, diuretic and digestive refrigerant.
The by-products from fruit processing can be used in making wine, vinegar and ‘nata’
or gel. Other waste from canning can be pulped and dried for livestock feeds.

PINEAPPLE CULTIVARS:
Among the cultivars of pineapple commonly grown in the country Smooth
Cayene (Hawaiian) is the most favored for canning and fresh fruit consumption. It
matures in 18 months and yields 25,000 fruits per hectare. The fruit is cylindrical in
shape (2.5–3 kg) and the flesh is pale yellow, soft and juicy with high sugar (from 13°
to 19°Brix) and acid content. Well adapted to canning and processing. Leaves are
spineless and cylindrical.

Other cultivars grown locally are Queen (Formosa) and Red Spanish (Native
Philippine Red). Queen variety is grown in some places for its fresh fruit. The small
and very spiny plant gives a small fruit (0.5 to 1 kg), with a full yellow shell and small
prominent eyes. The golden yellow pulp is crispy and sweet (14 to 18°Brix), with an
excellent flavor and long shelf life.

The Red Spanish ( Native Philippine Red) is cultivated for its strong and delicate
fiber in Western Visayas, particularly in the province of Aklan. The fruit is squarish in
shape (1–2 kg) with pale yellow flesh and with pleasant aroma. Leaves are spiny.

CULTURE AND MANAGEMENT:

Soil and Climatic Requirements
Pineapple thrives best in sandy loam to clay loam soil which is well-drained,
rich in organic matter and has a pH of 4.5 to 5.5. It requires mild (240C to 300C) and
relatively uniform temperature throughout the year. It also requires evenly distributed
rainfall (100-150 cm/year) and a very short dry season. Pineapple grows best at an
elevations of 1,000 feet or 150 to 200 meters above sea level.

Planting Materials Used For Propagation

Pineapple is commonly propagated asexually with the use of its suckers , slips
and crowns. Suckers are those that develop at the base and axil of the leaves while
slips and crowns are those that develop at the base or above the ground part and on
top of the fruit. Planting materials should be obtained six to eight weeks after
harvesting. Choose planting materials similar in size and type to drained uniform
flowering and fruiting. The crown will bear in 22 to 24 months; slips in 18 to 20
months; and suckers in 16 to 18 months.

The planting materials should be cured by exposing them to sunlight for one
week or more depending on the weather conditions. Curing prevents infection and
rotting of plant materials.

Soil/Land Preparation
The land and soil must be prepared thoroughly. It should be plowed thoroughly
and harrowed 2 to 3 times until a fine tilth is attained, modify soil structure, control
weeds, incorporate organic matter, evenly distribute lime. Furrows should be made
where the seed pieces are to be planted. Drainage canals are necessary in areas with
heavy rainfall or with poor drainage.
 Land previously planted to pineapple are usually cleared after the first ratoon.
In small farms, old pineapple plants are uprooted, collected, and dumped along the
borders where they are burned or allowed to decompose. For more efficient clearing in
commercial farms, the plants are sprayed with recommended herbicide, chopped into
smaller pieces, and then incorporated into the soil by plowing or if herbicide is not
used plants are chopped mechanically.

Field previously cultivated require minimal soil preparation. In commercial

farms, deep plowing (60-75 cm deep) is practiced. The interval of plowing and
harrowing should be sufficiently spaced to attain effective weed control. The plant
debris should be allowed to decompose first to ensure faster growth of pineapple after
planting.

Planting
A systematic method of planting pineapple is recommended. It is advisable to
classify the planting materials such as slips, suckers or crowns. Crowns are
commonly used in commercial farms while slips and suckers are preferred in small
farms.

There are two methods of planting pineapple; the single –row method and the
double row method. Single row method – rows are generally spaced at 80 to 100 cm
apart and the plants are set at 25 to 30 cm in a row. A hectare of land will give a
population density of 33,000 to 50,000 plants. Double row method – the required
distance are 20 to 30 cm in a row, 50 cm within a double row, and 80 to 100 cm
between double rows. This will give a population of about 44,000 to 76,000 plants per
hectare.

Planting in single rows are commonly used in small farms and double rows in
commercial plantations. Planting density depend on preferred market, the higher the
planting density the smaller the fruits. Local fresh fruit markets prefer bigger fruits
while processors prefer medium-sized fruits (1.3-1.5 kg.). Plant during the onset of the
rainy seasons or anytime in places with evenly distributed rainfall.

Nutrition/Fertilization

The recommendation of fertilizer dosage to every crop or even pineapple

depends on the inherent fertility of the soil. Before doing such application of fertilizer it
is necessary to determine the nutrient requirement of every crop.

Organic and inorganic fertilizers may be used for pineapple. The inorganic form
is most popular for small and commercial growers. Organic fertilizers may be used to
produce organically grown pineapple for selective markets abroad. Guide to the
fertilization of pineapple is presented in the table below.
Table 1. Fertilizer recommended in small farms.
Months Amount Amount per Number of Bags
Fertilizer after per Plant Hectare per Hectare
planting (g) (kg) (50 kg bag)
Ammonium sulfate 2 10 500 10
Muriate of potash 2 5 250 5
Ammonium phosphate 4 10 500 10
Muriate of potash 4 5 250 5
Ammonium sulfate 6 10 500 10
Muriate of potash 6 5 250 5
Urea 8 5 250 5

Commercial farms adopt different fertilization program where small dosages are
applied at monthly intervals. Five grams of ammonium sulfate are applied per plant at
the 2nd, 4th and 6th month after planting and 3 g, 7 g ,and 7 g of potassium chloride
(KCL) or potassium sulfate (K2SO4) is applied during the same period. About 3-5 g
triple superphosphate is applied on the 3rd, 4th, and 6th month after planting. P should
be side-dressed in the axils of the old leaves to make it more available to the plant.
Urea as foliar fertilizer is applied at monthly intervals. To determine the volume of
fertilizer needed, the sprayer is calibrated to enable the applicator to uniformly
distribute the amount of fertilizer prescribed in the area.

Flower Induction
Flower induction allows year-round production, ensures more uniform flowering
and fruiting, and gives higher income especially during off-season. It also stabilizes
production, which assures the fresh market and processors of continuous supply of
fruits.

The time of induction is determined by plant size. In small farms, plants are
induced when they have 55-60 functional leaves. In large farms, fruit quality required
for processing is achieved if induction is done when plants have at least 36 functional
leaves, weigh 2.6-2.8 kg, or reached 1.2 m tall in middle elevation and 1.0 m lower in
lower elevation.

Calcium carbide (CaC2) or ‘kalburo’ used in the early 60s gives 60-70%
flowering. In the early 70s, ethephon was commercially used. It is more effective and
could induce 90-100% flowering. Ethephon is sold as Ethrel 480 with 48% or 480,000
ppm (1% = 10,000 ppm ) active ingredient. Table 2. Shows the composition of a spray
solution containing 25 ppm Ethephon + 2% urea + 0.04% lime.
Table 2. Composition of flower inducer mixture.
Component Amount
50 L 200L
Ethrel 2.6 ml 10.4 ml
Urea 1 kg 4 kg
Lime 20 g 80 g

If calcium carbide may be applied, the solution is prepared by dissolving 2

kilograms of calcium carbide for 19 liters of water and applied at 30 ml (3
tablespoonful) of the solution to the growing point or heart of the pineapple.

If ethephon will be used , the solution is sprayed to the leaves or poured to the
growing heart in the afternoon or early morning at 30-50 ml/plant to be more
effective.

Flowering commences as early as 40 days after induction (DAI), peaks in 50DAI

and is completed in about 55-66 DAI.

Intercropping
In small scale plantings, pineapple is usually planted or intercropped under
coconut or papaya, coffee and even bananas. Returns from intercropping can be
greatly increased by supplying the fertilizer requirements of all crops.

Pest Management
Several pests and diseases are known to damage and reduce the yield and
quality of pineapple fruits.

Described below are the diseases and insect and mite pests considered
important or potentially destructive to pineapple in the Philippines.

Diseases

Phytophthora Heart Rot

Causal Organisms.
Phytohpthora nicotianae Breda den Haan var. parasitica (Dastur) G. M.
Waterhouse (=P. parasitica Dastur)

Symptoms and Signs:

 Extensive rotting of the tissue or at the base of the plant.
 Change in color of the ‘heart’ leaves to a yellow or light brown with a reddish
tinge.
  Leaf edges curve back and it is easy to pull from their point of attachment.
 Base of the leaf are yellowish-white, soft and watery with distinct brown
margins.
 Growing points of the stem also exhibit a cheese-like appearance.
 A pungent smell is emitted from the rotting bases of the leaves.
 Rotting of the young fruits
 Roots of the young plants will also rot.

Management strategies
Proper weeding and soil cultivation. Care should be taken not to
contaminate the growing heart with soil infected with heart rot pathogen.

Proper drainage. Well drained soil with plant beds raised as high as possible at
least 23 cm high should be intended for pineapple plantings. Provide drainage canals.
For commercial plantations, construct systems of drainage canals and water
intercepts for outside run-off, as part heart rot management.

Preplanting chemical dip treatment. Dipping the lower half portion of

planting materials into systemic fungicide cleared for pineapple and active against
Phytophthora is a standard practice in heavily infected areas. One such fungicide is
fosetyl-Al. Prevent the spread of foci of infections in the field by prompt rouging and
proper disposal of infected plants followed by spraying fungicides against
Phytophthora.

Soil pH management. Maintaining soil pH near optimum for pineapple (pH 4.5
- 5.5) will help minimize damage from heart rot.

Brown spot of Fruit core/Fruitlet Core Rot or Brown Rot

Causal Organisms. Fruitlet core rot or brown rot is a complex disease. The
following pathogens have been associated with the disease:
 Fusarium subglutinans (Wollenweb & Reinking) P.E. Nelson et.al (=Fusarium
moniliforme Sheldon var. subglutinans Wollebweb. & Reinking);
 Penicillium funiculosum Thom;
 Pantoea ananatis (Serrano) Mergaert et.al. 1993. (=Erwinia ananas Serrano);
 Pseudomonas ananas Serrano; and
 P. funiculosum also causes causes interfruitlet corking and leathery pocket.

Symptoms and Signs.

 Uneven coloring or ripening of the fruit.
 Affected eyes may become brown and sunken as fruits ripen.
 Cut fruits turn brown to black discoloration of the flesh below the blossom cup.
  Interval symptoms show light to dark brown, moist, firm decayed, mottled areas
at the center of the fruitlet or eye.
 At the later stages, decay may affect all the tissues immediately surrounding
the floral cavity.

Fruits affected by interfruitlet corking take on unnatural glossy appearance and

show cork formation beneath the skin in between fruitlets. Leathery pocket is
manifested by cork formation at a deeper level, in the ovaries at the base of individual
flowers. Fusarium subglutinans also cause Fusariosis or gummosis. On the other
hand Pantoea ananatis and Pseudomonas ananas cause bacterial fruitlet rot and
fruitlet black rot, respectively. Bacterial fruitlet rot (P. ananatis) infection starts in the
floral parts of cracks in the eye cavity and result in an internal browning, which is
usually not apparent externally. However, badly infected fruits are dull and hard.
Fruit black rot (P. ananas) is characterized by brown to almost black discoloration of
the placental lobes and loculi of one or more fruitlets. Like the bacterial fruitlet rot,
black rot symptoms are difficult to see without cutting the fruit.

Management Strategy. No effective control measure had been found.

Decreasing mite population is suggested in other countries.

Marbling

Causal Organism. Marbling is due to the bacterium Pantoea ananatis Mergaert et

al. 1993. (=Erwinia uredovora (Pon et al.) Dye; E. ananas Serrano). Certain species of
Acetobacter have also been reported to be associated with the disease.

Symptoms and Signs

Marbling is a disease of the ripening fruits. Diseased fruits show no visible
surface or symptoms but it has a hallow sound when tapped. When cut, affected
fruits shows the brown blemishes or spots and abnormal hardening of the internal
tissues; browning of internal fleshy tissues which varies from yellowish or reddish
brown to very dark dull brown occurring as speckles and streaks or in large
continuous masses.

Management Strategies. Fruit is susceptible to to fruit marbling if the fruit is of

low acidity. Application of potash fertilizer which may usually increase fruit acidity, is
a practical control measure.

Pink Disease

Causal Organism. Acetobacter aceti (Pasteur) Beijerink (1898), Gluconobacter

oxydans (Henneberg) De Ley 1961.
 Symptons and Signs
Pink disease is is difficult to diagnose because the infected fruit has no external
symptoms. When cut, fleshy tissues of infected fruits produce a peculiar odor and
watery exhibiting purplish or brownish-pink color. During canning, a dark brown is
observed when it is sliced.

Management Strategies.
 Maturity indices of fruit must be properly observed.
 The fruit should be harvested before 90% of the eyes become yellow.
 Careful handling of fruits will minimize the disease damage.

Yeasty Rot

Causal Organism. The disease is caused by unidentified yeast and other

fermenting organisms.

Symptoms and Signs.

 Bubbling exudation of gas is occurring in the infected areas or injuries
 The skin turns brown, leathery and the whole fruit become spongy.
 The presence of large gas cavities of the decaying flesh of the fruit.
 Fibrous tissues are left in the leathery skin.

Management strategies.
 Adequate protection of maturing fruit against sunburn.
 Avoid bruising of fruit during harvesting, handling and packing.

Butt Rot and Black Rot, Soft Rot.

Causal Organism. Butt rot and black rot are caused by the same fungus
Chalara paradoxa (de Seyn) Sacc. [ Thielaviopsis paradoxa (DeSeyn) Hohn]. C.
paradoxa is also known to attack other crops like sugarcane, coconut, and banana.

Symptoms and Signs

Butt rot sometimes called base rot- affecting the base or butt of planting
materials and young plants. The affected central tissues of the base are destroyed
leaving stringy fibers. The tissues turn black because of the pathogen. Infection may
extend up to the stem causing wilting, browning, and drying of the lower and central
whorl of leaves. Affected newly planted crowns and young plants are killed and can be
easily pulled off the ground. Plants that may survive become severely stunted.

Black rot is a postharvest disease. It is also called water blister or sometimes

Thielaviopsis rot. The disease may start at the base or in growth cracks or injuries on
the surface of the fruit. Early symptoms are the water-soaked and slightly darkened
skin over rotten tissues that readily break under slight pressure. If the fruit is cut
open, a soft decay characterized by water-soaked and dark yellow tissues can be seen.
In advanced stages, the core disintegrates with the flesh; diseased tissues become
grayish black and may be covered with black spores of the fungi. A peculiar odor
accompanies the decay.

Management Strategies:

Butt rot control

 Storing newly detached crowns, slips or suckers by piling with their butt on top,
and exposing them to sunlight for at least a week before planting.
 Freshly detached crowns, slips or suckers must be treated with an appropriate
systemic fungicide before planting.
 Previous pineapple plantation site must be free of pineapple trash; disc-in
pineapple trash in soil and let them decompose; if plenty of trash remains on
the site, spot burn it during the dry season.

Black rot control

 Fungicide dip treatment. To control black rot, treat fruits within two hours after
harvesting by dipping into systemic fungicides cleared for use in pineapple
fruits.
 Low temperature storage. Refrigeration of the fruit at 7.2oC will prevent the
development of the disease and such condition may be used for short term
storage.
 Sanitation. Packing stations should be regularly disinfected.
 Proper packing. Avoid packing injured, sunburned, and wet fruits. Infected
fruits should not be shipped because considerable decay may ensue even before
the container shipping temperature is attained.
 Harvesting precaution. When the dry growing season is followed by wet
periods, plants are usually under stress and fruits are more prone to growth
cracks, which predispose them to the disease.

Plant Parasitic nematodes

Causal Organisms. The following nematodes have been reported to be the most
important and most destructive:
 Meloidogyne incognita Chet (root knot)
 Pratylenchus brachyurus (Godfrey) Filipjev & Schurrmanus- Steckhoven (root
lesion)
 Rotylenchuluis reniformis Linford & Oliviera (reniform nematode)
Management and Strategies
 Crop rotation. Avoid frequent replanting of pineapple in the same field. Practice
rotation with cereals if economical.
 Proper land preparation. Plow or disc soil during summer to expost it to solar
radiation. Fallow field for 6-8 weeks before final harrowing and planting. Field
should be free of pineapple trash
 Nematicide soil treatment. Examine the soil for nematodes before planting. If
severly infected, treat the soil with nematicides.

Insect and Mite Pests

1. Insects
California Red Scale, Aonidiella aurantii (Maskell)
Florida Red Scale, Chrysomphalus aoinidum (Linn.)
Fern Scale, Pinnaspis aspidistrae (Signoret)
Coconut scale Aspidiotus destructor Signoret

Nature of Damage
Scale insect sucks plant sap mainly on the undersurface of leaves, which
consequently turn yellow or dry up.

Management Strategies. Natural enemies like the Aphytis parasitoids cause

about 60-80% parasitization of both the male and female scale insects. Like wise,
larvae and adults of minute and black coccinellid beetles are quite active and efficient
in checking scale insect population in the field. Spray recommended insecticides when
scale insect population is at moderate level (2-3 scale insects per leaf), following the
manufacturer’s recommended dosage. Spraying may be repeated at a 3-week interval
when necessary.

2. Mites
Pineapple Mite, Steneotarsonemus ananas (Tyron)
Acarina: Tarsonemidae
Pineapple Flat Mite, Dolichotetranychus floridamus (Banks)
Acarina: Tenuipalpidae

Nature of Damage
Infested leaves become brownish and in severe infestation, the affecte plants
become stunted.
 Management Strategies for Mites.
Mites can be controlled by using acaricide. Apply at the first appearance of mite
damage smf repeast the spraying after 8-10 days if necessary. Test the chemicals on a
few plants first for any varietal toxicity before using in commercial scale.

3. White Grub, June Beetle, Toy Bettle

Leucopholis irrorata
Coleoptera: Scarabidae

Nature of Damage.
Very young grubs feed on organic matter and then on roots as they grow older.
Roots are eaten up and plants become stunted. Patches of yellowing in the field are
signs of grub infestations.

Management Strategies
 Collect grubs during planting.
 Timing of planting/weeding. As much as possible do not plant from June to
August to escape high population of ovipositing adults. Likewise weeding
should not coincide during these months since females prefer to lay eggs on
freshly tilled and weed-free fields than one crop-covered fields.
 Trapping gravid females. Gravid females are strongly attracted to lay egg on
moist soil high in OM. Decomposing sawdust and animal manure are preferred
by the insect as a substrate for egg laying. Plots measuring 2 m x 1 m can be
prepared around the periphery of the plantation where animal manure or
sawdust is mixed with the soil. In a 1-ha plantation, about 10-12 such plots
can be prepared in June to mid-August. Which is the peak of egg laying. These
plots should be mulched with dried leaves, maintained moist, and should be
located in shaded areas to minimize water evaporation. Grub collection can be
done during late August to September. Grubs can be fed to chicken.
 Use of recommended insecticides. Control should be directed against the first
and second larval instars since they are more susceptible than the third instar
larvae. The first instar larvae are mostly found near the soil surface and feed
on OM while the second instar larvae start to feed on the roots. In contrast, the
third instar larvae are much bigger than the early instars, stay deeper in the
soil; and feed voraciously on the roots.

4. Pineapple Mealybug
Dysmicoccus brevipes (Cockerel)
Homoptera: Pseudococcidae
 Nature of Damage.
Mealybugs infest all plant parts, from the crown of the fruit all the way down to
the roots. Infestation of new plantings may arise through mealybugs being carried
over on new planting materials. Symptoms include black spot and a viral infection on
the fruit tissue (mealybug wilt). Infected plants becomes stunted as the root system is
progressively affected and eventually collapses, finally the leaves curl up and become
discolored.

Management strategies.
 Monitor mealybug infestation and presence of ants starting at four months after
planting and repeat at monthly intervals until flower induction.
 Examine all plants in the periphery and after every ten rows.
 Record the exact location of plants infested with mealybugs on a field map.
Indicate if mealybugs are attended by ants.
 Spray the base of the plant with recommended insecticides following the
manufacturer’s recommended dosage.
 Repeat spraying at a four-week interval if necessary.
 Practice crop rotation in heavily infected area.

Rodent Pests
Ratus tanezumi and R. exulans are the common species of rats observed in
pineapple plantations in Luzon. R. argentiventer or other less common species may
also cause damage when present in the field as in the islands of Mindanao and
Mindoro.

Rat damage in pineapple begins during flowering and continues up to maturity

in the absence of control methods. It is more serious when pineapples are grown
underneath coconuts and are adjacent to rice fields. Evidently, there is an active
movement of rodents between the rice fields and the coconut-pineapple intercrop.
Once rice is harvested, the rats move in to the adjacent field planted to pineapple for
harborage and food source.

Management Strategies.
The main target of rodent control should be to reduce crop damage. Killing rats
should be a secondary goal. Rat control must be safe to human beings and animals,
not harmful to the environment, and acceptable to farmers.

No single method fits all situations, in fact, several methods may be necessary
to reduce or prevent crop damage. Some techniques in regulating rodent populations
in pineapple fields are cultural, mechanical, and chemical methods.
 Cultural Method.
Reduce harborage (such as clean culture) to limit the incidence of burrowing
animals and discourage animals from using the crop fields as breeding sites.
Generally weedy fields would sustain more damage than clean fields. Incorporate crop
residues in the soil after harvest to reduce harborage. This is applicable only in a
certain growing period of the crop since the crop itself can also serve as a shelter or
harborage for the animals.

Mechanical Method.
The mechanical method involves direct killing or exclusion by manual or
mechanical means. Two of the most popular ones are the trapping and bounty
system.
Trapping system – maybe use in small areas where use of poisons may pose
safety hazards. This should be done continuously since rats from other places may
migrate to the area being protected.

Bounty system - This system is supported by local and national laws, which
requires all citizens to help regulate rodent population. The people are given rewards
or cash payments for carcasses or rats’ tails turned in. The campaign is usually
intensified when crops are susceptible but the timing is often too late

Chemical Method.
Chemical method or baiting with rodenticides is still considered the most
popular means of rodent control. Rodenticides that are used in the country are either
acute or slow.

Acute rodenticides – Zinc phosphate is the best known and most readily
available.

Slow-acting or chronic rodenticides – Rodenticides under this category are

warfarin(RatoxinTM), coumatetralyl (RacuminTM), coumachlor (TomorinTM), diphacinone
(DiphacinTM). They are referred to as the first generation anticoagulants.

Weed Management

Weeds are one of the major constraints in obtaining high yields in pineapple.
Weeds compete with pineapple for nutrients, water and sunlight. They also serve as
alternate hosts of other pests and ideal place for breeding and multiplication of
rodents.

Weed management systems that provide adequate control comprise of a blend

of several appropriate components or methods. The various possible weed control
components include preventive, cultural, chemical and integrated weed management
methods.

Preventive Methods. These include the use of high quality and disease-free
planting materials.

Cultural Methods. These include harrowing, handweeding, interrow

cultivation, mulching and intercropping. Harrowing removes weed flushes and an
effective way of reducing weed reserves in the soil. Handweeding or hoe slashing can
be conveniently done only during the early stages of crop growth especially with
single-row planting or double rows. As the pineapple plant grows, the foliage covers
the spaces between rows and handweeding would be difficult because of the pointed
leaf tips and sharp margins. Interrow cultivation with animal-drawn plows can be
conveniently done during the early stages of growth of the crop with the same reason
as for handweeding. Mulching the base of the pineapple plant with weeds that are cut
through handweeding or interrow cultivation help in weed control, water conservation
and improvement of soil nutrient status. Intercropping of other crops between
pineapple rows can help reduce weed growth and augment the income of pineapple
growers.

Chemical Method. The use of herbicides or weedicides to kill the weeds with
minimum or no injury to the crop. Use herbicides properly. Read, understand and
follow instructions on the herbicide label. Be sure that the weeds infesting the
plantation are those that can be controlled by the herbicide. Apply the herbicide at
the recommended rate and appropriate stage of growth of pineapple and weeds.
Calibrate the sprayer in the area that will be sprayed before applying the herbicide.

Integrated Weed Management. The use of a combination of appropriate weed

control components in a system based on ecological, economic and sociological
considerations.

Harvesting and Postharvest Handling

Maturity Indices
When pineapple fruit is already mature, the eye of Red Spanish variety develops
reddish brown to yellow orange while Hawaiian or Smooth Cayene and other similar
varieties will produce golden yellow when it is ripened.

On large scale planting shell color is generally used to determine the various
stages of maturity. Harvest Queen fruit when the shell color is green but the grooves
between the eyes show widening and yellowing. This maturity stage correspond to a
diameter of not less than 10 cm and is appropriate for fresh marketing to distant
markets and for processing into dried pineapple product. For immediate consumption
and minimal processing, fruit should be harvested when the first two layers of shells
or eyes at the base show yellowing.

Shell color is not a reliable guide for Smooth Cayene but the following
harvesting indices will guarantee high eating quality and consumer acceptability. This
include the calendar method (harvest not later than 149 days after flower induction),
and total soluble solids content (not less than 140 Brix).

Harvesting
Harvesting pineapple will depend upon the maturity indices or by its shell color
and purpose or utilization.

In small farms, pineapple is harvested manually. The fruit are severed from the
mother plant using a knife or by just snapping off the fruit from the main stem of the
plant as done in Smooth Cayene. Fruits should be piled or placed on a well-shaded
and clean area to minimize weight loss and microbial contamination. Hauling baskets
must be provided with liners (leaves, banana, bracts, etc.) if the sides are too rough so
as not to injure the fruits.

In semi-commercial plantation mechanized method of harvesting is partly

manipulated. This done by harvesters passing along the ailes and placing the
harvested fruit to a large container or bin and will be transferred to another carrier
cargo truck.

Packinghouse Operations
Fruit must be prepared for marketing in a packinghouse where they are well
protected from intense heat, sunlight, and rain. A packinghouse could also serve as a
trading post for pooled produced by small farmers. Quality control system can be
implemented so that the fruit will meet the quality requirements of the clients. The
appropriate size of the packinghouse would depend on the volume of fruits that would
pass through the area at one time (As a rule, for every ton, a floor area of 20 m 2 is
required).

Trimming
Pineapples harvested with the peduncle on should be trimmed close to the base
of the fruit to minimize injury to other fruits during packaging on bulk transport.
Trimming can be done using sharp, clean knife or a shear.

Sorting and Grading

Variability in size and degree of ripeness due to variations in growing conditions
occur in many harvested pineapples. It is necessary, therefore, to do preliminary
sorting in the field where defective fruits are culled and no longer hauled to the
packinghouse. Final sorting and grading in the packinghouse should be made
according to the requirements of the client or market.

For local market, sorting according to size forms the basis for pricing (Table 3).
For export, fruits should be sorted according to the degree of ripeness and weight and
graded following Grades and Standards for Pineapple (Appendix 1). Table 4 presents
the peel color indices (PCI) of Queen and Smooth Cayene pineapple which serves a
guide in choosing the right maturity for its intended use.

Table 3. Size classification of Queen and Smooth Cayene.*

Size Term Weight (kg)
Queen Smooth Cayene
Extra large (XL) Extra 1.3 and above 1.8 and above
Large (L) Primera 1.0-1.29 1.6-1.7
Medium (M) Segunda 0.75-0.99 1.2-1.5
Small (S) Tersera 0.50-0.74 1.0-1.1
Very small (VS) Butterball Less than 0.50 Less than 1.0
*Philippine National Standards.

Table 4. Peel color indices of Queen and Smooth Cayene pineapple.*

Peel Color
Indices Queen Smooth Cayene
(PCI)
PCI 1 All eyes are dark green, greenish Dark blue green peel (immature)
bracts cling tightly to the eyes
(Immature).

PCI 2 All eyes are green; whitish bracts are Eyes are green but show widening
dry, grooves between eyes show and yellowing of of grooves
separation and yellowing

Best to use for dried/candied

pineapple, suitable harvest

PCI 3 About 2-3 layers of the eyes at the One-fourth of the peel surface
base show yellowing. turning yellow

Best for fresh consumption; suitable Fit for long distance transport and
for processing into juice and jams. storage

PCI 4 Fifty percent of eyes are yellow One half of the peel surface is
yellow (half ripe)
 Fit for immediate consumption.
PCI 5 More than 75% of eyes are yellow Three-fourths of the peel surface
(overripe) is yellow(full ripe).

Fit for immediate consumption

PCI 6 Full yellow (overripe) Full yellow (over mature)

*Philippine National Standards

Waxing
Waxing pineapples is done to delay ripening and minimize moisture loss, thus
increase shelf life or marketable life. It also minimizes the development of chilling
disorder called blackheart. Wax formulations that can be used include Sta Fresh
(imported) or the locally developed ones using edible oil or mineral oil. For Queen
pineapple, a mineral oil-based formulation consisting of 1 part mineral oil, 20 parts
water, and 1 part liquid detergent can be used. For Smooth Cayene, use of Sta Fresh
at 1 part wax, 6 parts water ratio and a formulation consisting of cooking oil and
water (1 part oil:6parts water) is recommended. The above wax formulations could
extend the marketable life of Queen and Smooth Cayene by 1 week relative to
marketable life of unwaxed fruits. Wax formulations can be applied using a soft brush
or sprayer.

Packing and Packaging

Pineapples are packed manually in containers (baskets, crates, or cartons) in a
flat pack manner with fruits lying on the sides in an alternate crown-to-base fashion.
This manner of packing is recommended for Queen because of its small size. For
Smooth Cayenne, it is better to pack the fruits inside a container in an upright
position in a crown-to-crown or base-to-base fashion. In this method, less damage in
terms of bruising and compression is incurred for the relatively large-sized Smooth
Cayenne. For export, wooden boxes should be used and the packing methods
appropriate for each variety should be strickly observed. Shredded papers are placed
between fruits to cushion against vibrations and impact during transit.

Storage
Pineapples can be stored at a low temperature but they are subject to chilling
injury (blackheart). Blackheart is characterized by the appearance of dark brown,
water-soaked tissues near the core and by a distinct fermented odor. This disorder
develops during cold storage below 200C and symptoms manifest 2-3 days after
withdrawal from the cold condition. For Queen and Smooth Cayenne, the optimum
refrigerated storage temperature is 20 0C and no chilling injury develops up to 14 days.
Waxing prior to low temperature storage is recommended to alleviate the development
of blackheart.
Transport
In the Philippines, bulk transport using jeepneys or small, nonrefrigerated vans
is the most economically feasible method of transporting pineapples from growing
areas to market centers. To reduce compression or physical damage during bulk
transport, the vehicle should be provided with horizontal dividers. Fruits should be
arrange lying on their sides in an alternate crown-to-base fashion. Transport should
be done during the coolest time of the day or during nighttime. For export, transport
by sea or air requires recommended low temperature throughout the handling chain.

COST AND RETURN ANALYSIS

The cost and return of producing fresh pineapple fruits from a one-hectare land
area with 50,000 plants is shown in Table 5.

REFERENCES:

Loquias V. L. 1988. Technoguide in Pineapple Culture. In: Technoguide on Selected

Fruit Crops. Department of Agriculture Region XI, Bureau of Plant
Industry-Davao Experiment Station, Bago-Oshiro, Davao City. pp. 58-
69.

PCARRD-DOST. 2010. The Philippines Recommends for Pineapple. Series No. 32-A
143p.
www. Investinriz.net. Pineapple Production.

En.wikipilipinas.org. Pineapple Industry.

www.hort. Purdue.edu
www.bar.gov.ph. AGFISHTECH PORTAL.