Influence of slip size, deslipping and decrowning on the ‘Sugarloaf’ pineapple

Abstract

Definitions: Crown = the short stem and leaves growing from the apex of the fruit. Slip = leafy branch, attached below the fruit, developed from axillary bud on the peduncle. Happa = branch arising from axillary bud at the point of junction of peduncle and stem. Large-slip plants of ‘Sugarloaf’ pineapple ( Ananas comosus) (L.) Merr.) were more vigorous than small-slip plants initially; however, plants from smaller slips caught up in size within a year after planting. Large-slip and medium-slip plants produced more slips and happas than small-slip plants. Smaller slips produced heavier and larger crowns, delayed both flowering and fruit maturity, reduced fruit size and yield, and recorded a higher incidence of sunburn. Slip size did not influence sucker development, peduncle size, and % TSS, % acidity and TSS/acidity ratio of the fruit. Deslipping, and decrowning and deslipping together produced significantly more suckers than control and decrowning-treatments. Deslipping-, and decrowning and deslipping together produced the maximum fruit weight and yield, whilst deslipping produced the longest fruits. Sunburn was greatest on decrowned and deslipped fruits, followed by deslipped fruits and then by control and decrowned fruits. Pruning did not influence happa production, peduncle size, fruit maturity, and % TSS, % acidity and TSS/acidity ratio of the fruit. No significant interaction between slip size and pruning was found.