Preharvest weather conditions and pineapple fruit translucency

Abstract

Preharvest weather was recorded and pineapple ( Ananas comosus L.) fruit translucency determined at weekly intervals for a year. The object was to select a model that showed the best relationship between preharvest weather and translucency. A period 2–3 months before harvest was crucial in the development of fruit translucency at harvest and crown growth. Translucency was more severe and had a higher incidence when maximum and minimum temperatures 3 months before harvest were both low, 23 °C and 15 °C; or to a lesser extent high, 29 °C and 20 °C, respectively. Fruit with larger crowns had a lower incidence and severity of translucency. Temperature, 2–4 months before harvest explained 94% to 96% of the variation in crown weight but not fruit weight. The data suggest a testable model that crown weight and temperature 3 months before harvest influence translucency.