Merr.) is a fruit crop originated and domesticated in South America. According to Bertoni 2 , the genus name Ananas means 'excellent fruit' in the Guaraní language of Paraguay. Pineapple was domesticated >6,000 years ago with archaeobotanical remains dated 3,500 years ago in South America and distributed to Mesoamerica >2,500 years ago 3-5. Pineapple is clonally propagated using the leafy fruit crown, slips or suckers. Red pineapple (Ananas comosus var. bracteatus) was anciently cultivated for fiber, fruit juice and as a living hedge, and is now a pantropical ornamental 6,7. The bracteatus plant is conspicuous for its bright pink-to-red colored fruit. The name 'bracteatus' refers to its long bracts. The plant is vigorous with long leaves, coarse spines and abundant suckers. Plant fibers have been used in numerous applications that are beneficial to agriculture and the environment, partly

This chapter provides an overview of global pineapple breeding research, and genetic resources from related species and wild relatives of pineapple, and briefly covers pineapple cytogenetics (chromosome number, ploidy level, chromosome morphology, micro- and megagametogenesis, fertility and self incompatibility), breeding and selection (by clonal selection and roguing, spontaneous mutations, roguing and clonal selection), hybridization and inbreeding.

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This chapter on pineapple covers inflorescence and fruit morphology and growth; factors affecting the induction of inflorescence development (photoperiod, solar radiation, temperature, water availability, genetic variation and geotropic stimulation); forced induction of flowering using plant growth regulators (ethylene, acetylene, calcium carbide, NAA, β-hydroxyethylhydrazine and ethephon); prevention of natural flowering through cultural methods, plant growth regulators and genetic engineering; factors that affect the quality of forcing; and the effects of factors such as plant weight at forcing and plant population density on yield.

This chapter describes the main and minor cultivars, as well as other species and botanical varieties, of pineapple. The genetics and breeding system, including cytogenetics, selection, and rogueing, are discussed. Considerations in hand pollination, seed handling, germination and nursery management are also mentioned.