Effects of Planting Bed and Density on the Yield of Pineapple (Ananas comosus L. var., MD2) Grown in Short Rainy Season in Southern Côte d’Ivoire

Effect of Planting Density on the Agronomic Performance and Fruit Quality of Three Pineapple Cultivars (Ananas comosus L. Merr.)

“…Based on the commercial weight, pineapple fruits can be classified into three categories: category A (>1.7 kg), category B (1.3-1.6 kg), and category C (<1.3 kg) [9]. In this light, the "Santa Rosa" ecotype fruits (in the three densities) and "Smooth Cayenne" cultivar fruits (at 55500 plants) were classified as grade A, while the remaining fruits of other treatments were classified as grade B. e average weight of the fruits harvested in this study was higher than the weight reported for "Golden" pineapple fruits grown at densities of 50000 (1.61 kg) and 70000 (1.51 kg) plants ha −1 [7], also exceeding the weight of "Smooth Cayenne" fruits (<1.64 kg) harvested from a cultivation system associated with cassava plants [14]. On the other hand, the results clearly show that yield is strongly influenced by sowing density, a factor that naturally enables a greater number of fruits to be harvested.…”

“…In general, our results reveal that the genetic differences inherent to each cultivar have a strong influence on crop development. Nevertheless, the technical level of agricultural practices can significantly influence the expression of the crop's genetic potential [7,12]. e records of the morphological characteristics of the pineapple plants reported in this study are lower than the values reached by "Queen" cultivar cultivated in three different ecosystems (freshwater peat, brackish peat, and alluvial soil), as they reached a height greater than 80 cm and D-leaf lengths over 65 cm [13].…”

“…However, pineapple has botanical and physiological characteristics that give it tolerance to long periods of drought [26,27]. Nevertheless, according to Généfol et al [7], scarce and erratic rainfall may become a limiting factor for the development of pineapple; therefore, the density of sowing may have an important contribution due to the retention of humidity around the plant. In this context, according to Paull and Duarte [19], the optimal rainfall for pineapple cultivation should be in the range of 1000-1500 mm per year; its importance should not be measured by its total accumulation but rather by its distribution throughout the year.…”

“…is market characteristic could mean compensation for the establishment of lower densities because they generally favor the development of fruits with better sizes and higher prices [7,9]. However, achieving acceptable and desirable fruit characteristics for the consumer is the sum of various factors, such as crop management strategies and climatic conditions, as well as the availability of soils with optimum pH values.…”

“…An adequate sowing density depends, among other factors, on the type of crop, product target, level of mechanization, use of irrigation, or precipitation [6]. Importantly, high sowing densities of up to 70000 plants per hectare ensure a higher tonnage per unit area; conversely, lower densities generally allow larger fruits with higher market prices [6,7]. In this way, the economic profitability of the plot is related to selecting appropriate sowing densities, rationally using inputs, and soils with characteristics that meet the requirements of pineapple cultivation [7][8][9] because a high level of production and good fruit quality depend on these factors.…”