Optimization of the flowering stage by using stimulants of calcium carbide and paclobutrazol on pineapple at post tin mining area

Abstract

Bangka Island is the potential to increase pineapple production because of the availability of marginal land caused by tropical tin mining. The success of pineapple cultivation is determined by the formation of flowers that will become fruit. The flowering process can be accelerated using carbide and paclobutrazol. This research aimed to study the effect of Calcium carbide and paclobutrazol application as a flowering stimulant for flowering initiation and yield of pineapple in the post tin mining area. This research was conducted from January 2018 – July 2019 located in post tin mining area owned by PT Timah Tbk, Dwi Makmur Village, Merawang Subdistrict, Bangka Island using an experimental method with randomized block design with a single factor which was a type of flowering stimulant consist of calcium carbide [Calcium carbide] [P0] and paclobutrazol [P1]. The result showed that both of flowering stimulant gave significant effect to flowering time, fruit diameter, fruit length, fruit weight with crown, and fruit weight without the crown of pineapple. The fastest flowering duration showed in the pineapple with Carbide application in the post tin mining area.