Ecophysiology and nutrition of cabezona pineapple (Ananas comosus L. Merril) in Chontalpa, Tabasco, Mexico

Abstract

Objective: To improve the nutrition of the pineapple (Ananas comosus) cultivation using fertilizers. Design/Methodology/Approach: The Sistema Integrado para Recomendar Dosis de Fertilizantes (SIRDF) established the fertilization doses for pineapple in the Cutanic Acrisol (Endoclayic, Hyperdystric, Ferric) (ACct(ncehdfr)) —N(230kg)-P(183kg)-K(300kg)— and Cutanic Acrisol (Endoclayic, Ferric) (ACct(ncefr)) —N(253kg)-P(138kg)-K(360kg)— soil sub-units. The SIRDF doses were compared with the control dose (producer): N(85kg), P(85kg), and K(85kg). Results: The fruits harvested from the ACct(ncehdfr) soil to which the SIRDF dose was applied were larger (cm, without the crown), heavier (kg, with and without the crown), and also had higher °Brix values compared with control. This was not the case for the crown, which was heavier when the producer dose was applied. Meanwhile, the produce harvested from the ACct(ncefr) soil to which the SIRDF dose was applied included taller plants (cm), larger fruits (cm, with crown), larger crowns (cm), wider fruits (cm, circumference), heavier fruits (kg, with and without crown), and higher °Brix values; on the contrary, the crowns were heavier (kg) in control. Study Limitations/Implications: Yield and fruit quality observations are affected by the quality of the Cabezona pineapple vegetable materials, agronomic management, and the attack of citrus mealybugs. Findings/Conclusions: The fruits produced using the SIRDF doses had lower °Brix than the Cayena Lisa and MD pineapples. A 56-58 t ha-1 volume of fruit can be produced. This study proves that the doses established by the SIRDF had positive results for the improvement of the Cabezona pineapple production in Tabasco, Mexico.