Pineapple-a profitable fruit crop for Goa

Technical Bulletin No.: 35

PINEAPPLE
a profitable
fruit crop for Goa
S. Priya Devi
M. Thangam
M. S. Ladaniya
N. P. Singh

ICAR RESEARCH COMPLEX FOR GOA

(INDIAN COUNCIL OF AGRICULTURAL RESEARCH)
Old Goa - 403 402, Goa (India).
ii Pineapple-a profitable fruit crop for Goa

Technical Bulletin No.: 35

Pineapple-a profitable fruit crop for Goa

S. Priya Devi
M. Thangam
M. S. Ladaniya
N. P. Singh

ICAR Research Complex for Goa

(Indian Council of Agricultural Research)
Old Goa - 403 402, Goa (India).
Pineapple-a profitable fruit crop for Goa iii

Published by
Dr. N.P. Singh
Director
ICAR Research Complex for Goa
Ela, Old Goa- 403 402, Goa, India

Phone : +91 832 2284678/679

Fax : +91 832 2285649
E-mail : [email protected]
Website : www.icargoa.res.in

Authors
Dr. S. Priya Devi, Dr. M. Thangam, Dr. M.S. Ladaniya and Dr. N.P. Singh.

Correct citation:
S. Priya Devi, M.Thangam, M.S.Ladaniya, N.P.Singh (2013):
Pineapple-a profitable fruit for Goa. Technical Bulletin No. 35, ICAR (RC),
Goa.

Printed at:
M/s. Impressons, Belgaum
iv
Pineapple-a profitable fruit crop for Goa Pineapple-a profitable fruit crop for Goa
iv

Foreword

G
oa is a small but important coastal state in India. In the state,
mining and tourism are attractive enterprises, followed by
agriculture. The state’s income from horticulture is mainly due
to plantation crops like cashew, coconut etc. Even potential fruit crops
like banana and pineapple take back bench as enterprises. Pineapple is
a fruit of ever-growing demand from domestic as well as tourism point
of view. Presently, indescript ‘Local’ cultivar is grown disregarding
quality of planting material and nutritional requirement. Plantation is
also being continued for more than 5 to 6 ratoon crops or even more
and fresh planting is not done for many years resulting in poor yields i.e.
8-10 tonnes per ha.

Although coconut is one of the important plantation crops cultivated

in Goa in an area of 25, 160 ha, the inter-space is fallow in 90% of the
fields. Availing this land for inter-cultivation of shade tolerant fruit crop
like pineapple will not only serve as an additional income to farmers but
also solve the problem of area expansion under horticulture in a small
state like Goa. The current scenario of productivity of pineapple in Goa
is well below the national average. This condition is due to ignorance
and non-adoption of proven/ improved technologies of cultivation.
Unsystematic orcharding and lack of scientific approach in farming are
the current lacuna in Goan agricultural scenario. This technical bulletin
throws light upon the prospects of scientific cultivation of pineapple as
intercrop in coconut farms.

(Narendra Pratap Singh)

Director
Pineapple-a profitable fruit crop for Goa v
vi Pineapple-a profitable fruit crop for Goa

Preface

T
he pineapple (Ananas comosus) is one of the most popular tropical
fruits. The origin of the pineapple is the American continent, probably
Brazil and Paraguay. It has spread throughout tropical and subtropical
regions as a commercial fruit crop. The important pineapple going countries
of the world are the Hawaiian Islands, Philippines, Malaysia, Thailand, Brazil,
Ghana, Kenya, Mexico, Taiwan, South Africa, Australia, Puerto Rico and India.

The juice has worldwide market. The fruit and juice have good industrial
demand also. The fruit is a good source of vitamin A and B and rich in vitamin
C and calcium. It also contains phosphorus and iron. India produces more than
8% of total world production of pineapple.The major pineapple producing
states in India are Assam, West Bengal, Karnataka, Meghalaya, Manipur,
Arunachal Pradesh, Kerala and Bihar.

Currently, India produces 1.53 million tonnes of pineapple with productivity

of 15.3 t/ha. Although Goa is a potential state for cultivating pineapple, it has
not been done commercially but for few farms. Utilisation of available inter
space in coconut which is otherwise fallow by cultivating improved varieties
of pineapples will fetch good profit to the farmers of Goa.

In this context a systematic evaluation study was undertaken in ICAR RC

for Goa with three varieties of pineapple under the shade of adult coconut
palms. The results were encouraging and the same has been published in this
bulletin for the benefit of farmers. Besides, the package of cultural practices for
commercial cultivation of pineapple has also been furnished in this bulletin.
The authors are thankful to the organisation for all the support rendered.

We express our deep and sincere sense of gratitude to former Director

V.S.Korikanthimath for his motivation and support since the initiation of this
study. We also duly acknowledge the technical assistance rendered by Late.
Mr. Ashok Dessai, Mr. Rahul M. Kulkarni and Mr M.M. Zalmi throughout the
study period.

Authors
Pineapple-a profitable fruit crop for Goa vii
viii Pineapple-a profitable fruit crop for Goa

CONTENTS
Foreword .................................................................................... iii

Preface ...................................................................................... v

1.
Pineapple - A Profitable Fruit for Goa..................................... 1
Introduction

2.
Classification of Pineapple:.................................................... 2
Varieties of Cayenne Group
Varieties of Queen Group
Varieties of Spanish Group

3.
Pineapple Cultivation in Goa.................................................. 6

4.
Evaluation of Pineapple Cultivars........................................... 8
4.1 Varieties Evaluated
4.2 Span of Flowering and Fruiting
4.3 Main Crop
4.4 First Ratoon Crop
4.5 Second Ratoon Crop
4.6 Estimated Income From Pineapple Intercrop

5.
Package Of Practices For Pineapple..................................... 20
5.1 Introduction
5.2 Land Preparation
5.3 Planting Method
5.4 Manures And Fertilizers
5.5 Inter Cultivation
5.6 Flower Regulation Using Growth Regulators

References
Pineapple-a profitable fruit crop for Goa ix
Pineapple-a profitable fruit crop for Goa 1

1. Pineapple - A profitable fruit crop for Goa

1. INTRODUCTION
The pineapple [Ananas comosus (L.) Merr.] is one of the leading commercial fruit
crops of the tropics. Pineapple is also a commercially important fruit crop of India
with around 90,000 ha area under this crop, 15.27 lakh tonnes annual production
and 15.3 tonnes /ha productivity (Anonymous, 2013). It is one of the choicest
fruit all over the world because of its pleasant taste and flavour. Pineapple is a
good source of vitamin A and B and fairly rich in vitamin C and minerals like
calcium, magnesium, potassium and iron (Table 1). It is also a source of bromelin,
a digestive enzyme. In addition to being eaten fresh, the fruit can also be canned
and processed in to different forms.

Table 1: Nutritional value of Pine apple (per 100 g)

Energy 48 kcal
Carbohydrates 12.63 g
Sugars 9.26 g
Dietary fiber 1.40 g
Fat 0.12 g
Protein 0.54 g
Thiamine (vit. B1) 0.079 mg
Riboflavin (vit. B2) 0.031 mg
Niacin (vit. B3) 0.489 mg
Pantothenic acid (B5) 0.205 mg
Vitamin B6 0.110 mg
Folate (vit. B9) 15.00 μg
Vitamin C 36.20 mg
Calcium 13.00 mg
Iron 0.28 mg
Magnesium 12.00 mg
Manganese 0.90 mg
Phosphorus 8.00 mg
Potassium 115.00 mg
Zinc 0.10 mg
Source: USDA Nutrient database
2 Pineapple-a profitable fruit crop for Goa

2. Classification of Pineapple
The horticultural classification of VARIETIES OF CAYENNE
pineapple varieties of Hume and GROUP
Miller (1904) is currently followed. Smooth Cayenne or Cayenne
They divided cultivated varieties of Smooth Cayenne is extensively
pineapple into 3 main groups viz., cultivated in Hawaii, Philippines,
Australia, South Africa, Puerto Rico,
i) Cayenne, Kenya, Mexico, Cuba and Formosa. It
ii) Queen and is the most popular canning variety.
iii) Spanish.
The plant is stocky and robust; with
Cayenne group is by far the most tapering fleshy leaves up to 90 cm in
important group. Most of the varieties length and about 6 cm in width. The
in India may be accommodated into upper surface of the leaves is dark
anyone of the 3 groups. For example, green with brownish-red irregular
Kew or Giant Kew, synonymous mottling above (due to anthocyanin
with Smooth Cayenne, grown most pigment in the epidermis) and silvery-
extensively in India, represents grey mottling beneath with smooth
Cayenne group, and Queen another straight margins, excepting near the
popular variety belongs to Queen tip and the base, where there are a few
group. Recently, Py et.al. (1987) small spines. The flowers are light-
classified cultivars grown throughout purple with bright-red bracts and their
the world into 5 distinct groups, the number on a single spike ranges from
additional two being ‘Pernambkuco’ 130 to 170. The fruit is cylindrical in
and ‘Mordilonus-Perolera- Maipure’. shape and weighs between 2 and 3 kg;
the fruitlets or eyes are typically broad
The varieties of Cayenne and Spanish and flat.
group are dual-purpose ones whereas
varieties of Queen group are grown As the fruit ripens, it acquires a deep-
exclusively for fresh-fruit markets, as
yellow to coppery-yellow colour, which
they are not suitable for canning; owing
to deep eyes. first appears at the base and progresses
upwards to the shoulders. The flesh in
firm, close-textured, juicy and with a
pale-yellow to yellow colour at maturity.
Pineapple-a profitable fruit crop for Goa 3

Fruits of variety Giant Kew.

An average acid range lies between 0.5 surface is silvery-grey or ashy-grey in

and 1.0% and the total soluble solids colour. Leaves often have a short sector
(TSS) between 120 and 160 Brix. Crown of small spines at the tip and also at the
is normally one, attached to fruit without base, near its attachment to the stem,
where they are irregularly arranged.
a narrow neck and has loosely imbricate
leaves above. Slips are on the peduncle
Fruit weights 1.5-2.5 kg, and is oblong
ranging from 0 to 10, and suckers are in shape, slightly tapering towards the
in leaf axils ranging from 0 to 3 and crown. Eyes are broad and shallow;
reaching a length of 35-40 cm. making fruits more suitable for canning.
The fruit is yellow when fully ripe and
Kew flesh is light yellow, almost fibreless,
It is a late-maturing variety and is the and very juicy with 0.6-1.2% acid, and
leading commercial variety in India. its total soluble solids content varies
Kew is valued particularly for its from 120 to 160 Brix. Normally fruit
canning quality. will have one crown but occasionally
more are present. Slips arising on
The plants are vigorous and leaves are peduncle are 0 to 10 and the number of
long with straight margins. The upper suckers produced per plant varies from
surface is dark green with a superficial 0 to 2. This shy-suckering habit is a
brownish-red mottling and the lower disadvantage in its multiplication.
4 Pineapple-a profitable fruit crop for Goa

Giant Kew The plants are characterized by dwarf,

This variety grown in certain regions of compact habit of growth. Foliage is
India is synonymous to Kew excepting bluish-green. The leaves are short, stiff,
in size of the plant and the fruit, which spiny along the margins, and thickly
are larger than Kew as the name covered with a whitish bloom on both
signifies. surfaces. The flowers are lilac in colour.

Other varieties of Cayenne Fruit weighs 0.9-1.3 kg. Peduncle

is short; fruitlets or eyes are small,
group
prominent, deep set. When fully mature,
Hilo, Charlotte Rothschild, St. Michel
the fruit is golden-yellow and internal
and Baronne-de-Rothschild, Sarawak,
flesh is deep golden-yellow. The flesh,
Champaka, Typhones and various other
although less juicy than Cayenne, is
Cayennes
crisp (less fibrous), transparent with a
pleasant aroma and flavour. The total
VARIETIES OF QUEEN soluble solids content varies from 150
GROUP to 160 brix and acidity between 0.6 and
Queen or Common Queen 0.8%. The slips are 0-4 and suckers are
This is an old cultivar and is grown 0-3, and both are smaller in size than
mainly in Australia, India and South those of Cayenne.
Africa, where it is preferred for trade
of fresh fruit.

Fruits of variety Mauritius.

Pineapple-a profitable fruit crop for Goa 5

VARIETIES OF SPANISH
GROUP
Red Spanish
It is extensively cultivated in West
Indies, Cuba, Puerto Rico and Mexico,
and is mainly used for trade of fresh
fruits.

The plant and fruit size is intermediate

between Cayenne and Queen. The leaves
are long, about 1.2 m and spiny. Fruit
is rather square in shape and weighs
between 0.9 and 1.8 kg. Peduncle is
long (20-25 cm) and slender and is often
not able to support the fruit upright.
Fruitlets are few, about 80, larger than
cayenne; shell is tough and firm, and is
orange-red. The eyes are located deep,
as in Queen group. Flesh is pale yellow,
fibrous with pleasant penetrating aroma
Fruits of local variety.
and spicy acid flavour; quite different
from that of Cayenne or Queen. Core
Mauritius is relatively large. Crown is 20-25 cm
It is grown in some parts of Meghalaya long, with long spiny recurved leaves.
and Kerala in India. Fruits are of Slips are 2-8, and are borne very close
medium size and are of 2 types, deep to fruit. Suckers range from 1 to 3 per
yellow and red. Fruits of yellow variety plant.
are oblong, fibrous, and medium sweet
compared to red type. Mauritius is Other varieties of Spanish
exclusively grown for table purpose. Group
Leaves are yellowish green, spiny Singapore Spanish, Masmerah,
throughout the margin. Crown also is Espanola Roja, Cabezona, Pina de
spiny in both the types. Cumana, Selengor Green, Nangka,
Gandol, Betek, Castilla etc.
Other varieties of Queen
group
Z. Queen, Ripley Queen, James Queen,
Natal Queen, V.C.Queen,Alexandra,
Mac Gregor, Common Rough, Comte
de Paris, Victoria etc.
6 Pineapple-a profitable fruit crop for Goa

3. Pineapple cultivation in Goa

Pineapple is a hardy plant; requires very are 380 and 250C, respectively. Climate
less water and hence suitable for most is humid and hot in general.
parts in coastal and inlands of south
India. Tropical climate of Goa is very Although coconut is one of the important
much suitable for pineapple cultivation, plantation crops cultivated in Goa in
both in open field conditions and under an area of 25, 160 ha, the inter-space
the shade of coconut. Goa receives is fallow in 90% of the fields. Availing
an annual rainfall of 2800-3500 mm this land for inter-cultivation of a shade
from June to October with equanimous tolerant fruit crop like pineapple not
weather (average annual minimum only serves as an additional income to
temperature of 200C and maximum farmers but also solves the problem of
temperature of 300C). The minimum area expansion under horticulture in a
temperature in winter ranges from 150 small state like Goa. Besides, pineapple
to 200C with maximum temperatures is a fruit of ever-growing demand
250 to 280C. In summer (February-May) from domestic as well as tourism
maximum and minimum temperatures point of view. Presently, indescript

Cultivation of local variety under shade in Goa

Pineapple-a profitable fruit crop for Goa 7

Unproductive pineapple plantations.

‘Local’ cv. (Red Spanish group) is (‘Mauritius’) and ‘Local’ (similar to

grown disregarding quality of planting ‘Red Spanish’ group locally cultivated
material and nutritional requirement. since long) was evaluated in the climatic
Plantation is also being continued for conditions of Goa for the first time for
more than 5 to 6 ratoon crops or even flowering, fruiting, fruit quality and
more and fresh planting is not done for yield parameters during main crop (first
many years resulting in poor yields i.e. crop) and two consecutive ratoon crops
8-10 tonnes per ha. (Fig 1) under the coconut shade.

Therefore, performance of three

varieties namely- ‘Giant Kew’, ‘Queen’
8 Pineapple-a profitable fruit crop for Goa

4. Evaluation of pineapple cultivars

4.1 Varieties evaluated

Three varieties namely ‘Giant Kew’, The planting was done during second
‘Queen’ (‘Mauritius’) and ‘Local’ week of September 2003. Suckers
(‘Red Spanish’ group) were planted were drenched with Fytolon (0.2%)
under the coconut (cv. Benaulim) shade two weeks after planting and normal
during September- 2003. The soil cultivation practices were followed for
was red laterite as observed in coastal weeding and fertilizer application.
western ghats of India. The planting
distance between the coconut palms Fertilizers such as Urea, Single super
was 8 m (row to row and plant to plant). phosphate and Muriate of Potash were
The palms were about 20 years old. applied on the basis of the per hectare
Twenty pineapple suckers were planted (10,000sq m) rate of 600 kg N, 600kg
in 30 cm deep trenches at the distance phosphorus and 600 kg potash. The split
of 30 cm (plant to plant) in double row doses of fertilizers were applied after
system. The trench width was about 90 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12 and 14 months. For
cm and length 3 m. The space between ratoon crops fertilizers were applied
two rows of pineapple plant was 60cm. twice i.e. before flowering and during
There were 12 trenches of each variety. fruit growth (8th and 10th month,

Plantation of pineapple as intercrop in coconut

Pineapple-a profitable fruit crop for Goa 9

Giant Kew fruiting in field

respectively, after harvest of earlier main crop was carried out in April and
crop). May 2005 i.e. after 17-18th month from
planting which is the normal duration
In all the three varieties studied, for main crop of pineapple. Most plants
observations were recorded for crown flowered 10-12 months after planting
weight, fruit length, girth, weight, juice and fruits matured after 5 months and
content, TSS and titratable acidity. thus it took 16-17 months for harvesting
Fruit yield was recorded in all the of main crop. Maximum crop of all the
plants during harvests and average three cultivars was harvested during
individual fruit weight was drawn. this period. ‘Local’ cultivar was a
Expected pineapple yield in one hectare shy bearer, late and produced least
of coconut plantation was further crop as compared to ‘Giant Kew’ and
calculated. ‘Mauritius’ (Table 2). Mauritius was
the earliest to flower and to fruit and
4.2 Span of flowering was closely followed by Giant Kew.
and fruiting: Overall highest yields were recorded
Harvesting started from November- in Giant Kew. In Mauritius and ‘Giant
December 2004, i.e. 13 to 14 months Kew’ 10-15% plants did not flower in
after planting. Fruits of ‘Mauritius’ main and ratoon crops while in ‘Local’
matured first while maturity and percentage of such plants was 15-20%.
harvesting in ‘Giant Kew’ started one
month later. The peak harvesting of The first ratoon crop matured in April
10 Pineapple-a profitable fruit crop for Goa

Queen variety fruiting in field

–May 2006 i.e.12-13 months after duration of fruit maturity and yields in
harvesting of main crop. Harvesting pineapple. Duration of crop maturity
of first ratoon crop was started with in main and ratoon crops grown under
Mauritius, the first to flower and produce open field conditions was recorded to
mature fruit closely followed by Giant be similar (Samson, 1984).
Kew with the difference of 2 weeks.
Harvesting of first ratoon was completed 4.3 Main crop:
in 2 years and 9 months from date of 4.3.1 Fruit length, girth and
planting. Harvesting of second ratoon weight: In the main crop, length of
crop was started about 12 months after ‘Mauritius’ fruit was the highest (15.95
first ratoon crop and got completed 44 cm) followed by ‘Giant Kew’ (15.84
months after planting. ‘Mauritius’ as well cm) while in ‘Local’, fruit length was
as ‘Giant Kew’ matured simultaneously. 14.73 cm with insignificant difference
‘Local’ cultivar recorded flowering between these cultivars (Table 2).
and fruiting very late. It also produced Fruit girth was maximum (39.81 cm)
minimum yield as a main crop but yield in ‘Giant Kew’ followed by local
increased slightly in first ratoon and then (32.44 cm). Fruits of ‘Mauritius’ have
declined in second ratoon crop. recorded least girth. The difference was
highly significant (at 1%) between fruit
Results indicated that there was girth of ‘Giant Kew’ and ‘Mauritius’
no adverse effect of coconut shade (Table 2). Fruit weight (without crown)
(coconut planting at 8 m distance) on was maximum in Giant Kew (2.16 kg)
Pineapple-a profitable fruit crop for Goa 11

followed by Mauritius (1.01kg) with 4.3.2 Fruit yield: Giant Kew was
highly significant difference between profuse and regular in bearing while
these two. Fruit weight was least local variety produced smaller fruits
in local cultivars (0.99 kg) and was after late flowering resulting in
significantly less as compared to Giant lower yield. An average individual
Kew. Difference was non-significant fruit weight of 2.16 kg in Giant Kew
in fruit weight of Mauritius and local. translated to yield of 49.27 t/ha per
Higher length and girth of Giant Kew hectare. Per hectare yield of local
was reflected in fruit weight. cultivar would be less (22.58 t / ha)
as compared to Mauritius (23.04 t /
4.3.2 Crown weight: Local cultivar ha) and Giant Kew (49.27 t / ha). In
produced heaviest crown (0.197 g/ monocrop or single crop cultivation,
fruit) followed by Giant Kew (0.138 pineapple yield was estimated to be
g/ fruit). The smallest crown was more than 65 t for plant density of
produced by Mauritius. Findings 53300 in hot humid areas (Chadha, 4).
indicated that crown of the ‘Mauritius’ The highest fruit weight with crown
were significantly smaller (at 5%) than (2.41 kg) and the highest yield (84.57
local and Giant Kew. The crown weight t/ha) were recorded with a chelated
was 16.10% out of average fruit weight commercial formulation ‘Polymax
of ‘Local’ cultivars while in case of super’ compared with 1.38 kg and
‘Giant Kew’ crown weight constituted 29.26 t/ha respectively in the control,
5.67% of the fruit weight. in Giant Kew under Assam condition

Local variety fruiting in field.

12 Pineapple-a profitable fruit crop for Goa

Table 2 . Performance of Pineapple cvs. during main crop

Expected
Fruit
yield /ha
Fruit Fruit weight Crown Titrable TSS:
(tonnes) TSS*
Cultivar length girth without weight acidity* acidity
under (%)
(cm) (cm) crown (kg) (%) Ratio*
coconut
(kg)
shade
Giant
Kew 15.84 39.81 2.16 0.13 49.76 12.75 16.13
0.79
Mauritius 15.95 31.87 1.01 0.07 23.04 12.17 0.66 18.43
Local
14.73 32.44 0.99 0.19 22.58
14.34 0.74 19.37
CD 1% N.S. 2.73 0.34 0.06
CD 5% N.S. 2.01 0.25 0.04
* Average of five fruits from different trenches
Note: Average fruit weight of 2.16 kg in ‘Giant Kew / plant means 43 kg from one trench with 20
plants. There can be around 1152 trenches in one hectare of coconut plantation with the plant
density of around 23040 per ha. The average fruit weight / plant have been extrapolated to yield
per ha yield of 49.76 tonnes from 23040 plant density. However, under field conditions, as all
plants may not flower or due to some climatic or nutritional factors, yield would be 44.79 tonnes /
ha or less in Giant Kew after deducting 10% population towards irregular flowering.. Similar status
applies for other cultivars also.

(Bhattacharyya and Bhattacharyya, 4.3.4 Fruit quality: The TSS content

1992). For the plant density of around was highest (14.34 %) in ‘Local’ cv.
29,000 per ha (one inter-space between followed by Mauritius (12 .17%). The
four coconut palms accommodating titratable acidity was 0.74% in ‘Local’
8 trenches of 3 m length, with 20 resulting in TSS: acid ratio (17.56).
plants per trench accounting to In Giant Kew, TSS: acidity ratio was
around 1152 trenches in one ha), 13.92 which was also palatable.
yield as per present results would
be a maximum of 49.77 t (calculated 4.4 First ratoon crop:
from actual average fruit weight). In 4.4.1 Fruit length, girth and
present experiment, natural flowering weight:- Fruit length (16.36 cm) and
and fruiting was evaluated. Growth girth (38.89 cm) in ‘Giant Kew’ were
regulators such as ethrel were not highest followed by ‘Local’ cultivar
used for flower regulation, but with (Table 3). Fruits of Mauritius were
which, even higher yields could have smallest in size and recorded weight of
been realized. 0.766 kg which was significantly lower
Pineapple-a profitable fruit crop for Goa 13

than Giant Kew. Lower fruit length percentage of crown weight increased
and girth of ‘Mauritius’ reflected in the total fruit weight of Mauritius also.
fruit weight. Fruits of Giant Kew were In case of Giant Kew and Mauritius
largest with 1.61 kg weight. There was fruit weight (without crown) decreased
a decrease in fruit weight of Giant Kew while crown weight increased.
and ‘Mauritius’ in first ratoon crop as
compared to main crop while there was 4.4.3 Fruit yield: The average
no drop in weight of local cultivar. individual fruit weight was 1.62 kg in
‘Giant Kew’, which was highest among
4.4.2 Crown weight:- Crown weight all the cultivars. This yield translated
was maximum in Giant Kew (0.303 kg) in to 36.84 tons /ha i.e., 25.22 % less
closely followed by ‘Local’ (0.298 kg) than main crop. With yield of 0.766 kg
with insignificant difference between per plant, average yield per ha in case
the two. The crown of Mauritius was of Mauritius would be 17.47 t (24.17
significantly smaller (at 1% level of % less than main crop), whereas in
significance) than that of Giant Kew ‘Local’, it would be 22.97 t (almost as
and Local. In first ratoon crop, crown main crop).
weight increased as compared to plant
crop. Crown contributed 22.48% of the 4.4.4 Fruit quality: The TSS content
total fruit weight in local cv. while in was highest (18.21%) in Giant Kew
Giant Kew, crown weight was 15.70% followed by ‘Local’ and Mauritius.
(of the fruit weight with crown). The The acidity content was higher in Giant

Table 3. Physico-chemical attributes and

yield of pineapple cvs. in first ratoon crop.
Expected
Fruit
yield/ha
Fruit Fruit weight Crown Titratable TSS:
(tonnes) TSS*
Cultivar length girth without weight acidity* acidity
under (%)
(cm) (cm) crown (kg)
coconut
(%) Ratio*
(kg)
shade
Giant
16.36 38.89 1.615 0.303 36.84 18.21 0.70 26.01
Kew
Mauritius 14.69 32.49 0.766 0.120 17.47 12.75 0.43 29.65
Local 0.60
14.79 34.72 1.007 0.298 22.97 13.15 21.91

CD 1% -- 2.63 0.34 0.07 -- --

CD 5% 1.21 1.94 0.25 0.05 -- --
* Average of five fruits from different trenches
14 Pineapple-a profitable fruit crop for Goa

Kew than other cultivars but the fruits

were very palatable and tasty. The TSS:
acidity ratio was highest in Mauritius
due to lower acid content (Table 3). The
pulp was creamy white in Giant Kew
while it was yellowish in local. External
colour of fruit was also reddish orange
in case of Local cultivar. Mauritius
fruit appeared to be of cylindrical shape
which is desirable for canning.

4.5 Second ratoon crop:

4.5.1 Fruit length, girth and
weight:- Fruit size decreased in Giant
Kew and Mauritius during second
ratoon crop as the fruit length and girth
decreased (Table 4). In Giant Kew, fruit
length was 12.75 cm which was 3.09cm
lower than main crop, while the girth First ratoon crop of variety Mauritius.
of 33.16 cm was 6.665 cm lower than
main crop. The trend was similar in to main crop and first ratoon crop. Fruit
Mauritius. In case of local cv., there length, girth and weight were higher
was a slight decrease in fruit length, in ‘Local’ cultivar than Giant Kew and
but girth was higher and weight was Mauritius. Fruit weight was lowest in
less in second ratoon crop as compared second ratoon crop among the three

Table 4. Physico - chemical quality and

yield of pine apple cultivars in second ratoon crop
Expected
Fruit
Fruit Fruit yield/ha TSS:
weight Crown Titratable Juice*
length girth (tonnes) TSS* acidity
Cultivar without weight acidity*
under (%)
crown (kg) (%) (%)
(cm) (cm) coconut Ratio*
(kg)
shade
Giant Kew 12.756 33.16 0.74 0.128 16.88 18.12 1.10 42.58 16.47
Mauritius 12.177 30.02 0.57 0.071 13.00 18.23 0.76 43.93 23.98
Local 14.348 35.93 0.87 0.197 19.84 12.73 0.87 38.32 14.63
CD 1% -- 4.31 -- -- -- - --
CD 5% 1.58 3.17 0.21 0.04 - - ---
* Average of five fruits from different trenches
Pineapple-a profitable fruit crop for Goa 15

First ratoon crop of variety Giant Kew.

First ratoon crop of local variety.

16 Pineapple-a profitable fruit crop for Goa

crops (main + two ratoon) studied. Py et 4.5.2 Crown weight:- The crown
al. (1987) reported that reduction up to weight was highest (0.197 g) in local
20% in yield of smooth Cayenne (Kew followed by Giant Kew (0.128 g) which
and Giant Kew) varieties is common indicated that local variety produced
in ratooning. Experiments conducted more biomass as compared to Giant
at the Indian Institute of Horticultural Kew. Mauritius produced smallest
Research, Bangalore, on ratooning crown with smallest fruit.
have revealed that average fruit weight
in the first and second ratoon was 88% 4.5.3 Fruit yield:- The average
and 79% of the plant crop, and the individual fruit weight in ‘Giant Kew’
plant stand also reduced leading to was 0.74 kg (54.18% less than first
reduction in fruit yield by 49.3% and ratoon crop). However, an average fruit
46.2% in the first and second ratoon yield of 16.88 t/ha could be achieved.
crops (Chadha et al., 1977). In present Similarly, ‘Mauritius’ showed a
study, fruit weight dropped by 25% decreasing trend of 13 t/ ha (as compared
and 24% in first ratoon as compared to 17.47 t/ ha in first ratoon which was
to main crop in case of ‘Giant Kew’ 25.56 % less) and local type recorded
and ‘Mauritius’, respectively. Rao et an average individual fruit weight of
al. (1977) reported that reduction in 0.87 kg, extrapolating to 19.84 t/ha
fruit yield in ratoon crops could not be (with 13.58 % reduction from 22.97 t/
prevented by increasing irrigation and ha in first ratoon)
nitrogen doses.

Profuse slip formation in local variety

Pineapple-a profitable fruit crop for Goa 17

4.5.4 Fruit quality:- Giant Kew fruit are taken and results are good (Py et
recorded 18.12% TSS, 1.10% titrable al., 1987). The reduction in yields in
acidity and 42.58% juice content. ratoon crop can be compensated by
The TSS: acidity ratio was 16.47 reduced cost. In Smooth Cayenne
which resulted in very palatable fruit. (Kew) group it is justified. However
Fruits of Mauritius recorded similar in Hawaii under optimum and
composition (Table 4) with slightly favourable climate conditions yield
lower acidity and sweeter taste. In reduction has not occurred. In Queen
‘Local’ cv., TSS content was quite and Spanish group cultivars there
low (12.73%) with lower juice content is no reduction in yield (Py et al.,
(38.32%). The flavour of local cv. 1987). In present study, the average
was not as good as Giant Kew and fruit weight of Giant Kew was 25%
Mauritius. less in first ratoon as compared to
the main crop. Generally there is a
Ratoon crops are obtained by leaving recommendation of two ratoon crops.
the suckers to develop on the Cultivation cost appeared to be very
mother plant after the first has been less in ratoon and moreover no
harvested. In ratoon crop, the crop insect-pest or disease incidence was
cycle is short, cost is less although observed in present study. Pesticides
fewer suckers are produced. The sprays were also not applied as there
crowns can be used if ratoon crops was no need.

Local, Giant Kew and Mauritius fruits

18 Pineapple-a profitable fruit crop for Goa

Pineapple in flowering

4.6 Estimated income from from Rs 2 to Rs 4 per sucker. Pineapple

pineapple intercrop: biomass like leaves and crowns can be
The estimated income from main crop utilized for composting and recycling
of ‘Giant Kew’ variety grown in coconut nutrients thus reducing fertilizer costs.
plantation would be around Rs. 3 to 4 If possible, pineapple biomass can be a
lakhs from 49.27 tonnes yield from one better and easier material to extract bio-
ha (Rs. 8/- per kg average wholesale ethanol than from other sources like
price for pineapple during 2013; NHB). algae and fish biomass (Abu Osman et
In first and second ratoon crops, income al, 2008).
would be Rs. 2-3 lakhs and Rs. 1 lakhs/-
from 36.84 and 16.88 tonnes /ha yield, In present study, pineapple cultivar
respectively. This is an additional ‘Giant Kew’ was found to be most
income besides regular income from suitable for cultivation under coconut
coconut. The additional side suckers shade in climatic conditions of Goa
and slips produced also fetch margin to considering higher yields, good fruit
the farmers. The cost of suckers varies quality and relatively higher crown or
Pineapple-a profitable fruit crop for Goa 19

Uniform fruiting in variety Giant Kew.

biomass production than ‘Mauritius’. be remunerative due to good market

‘Local’ cultivar was not a high yielder; prices and also due to very less disease
a shy flowering type coinciding and pest incidence under agro-climatic
harvests with monsoon. The smaller conditions of Goa. Fresh plantation is
sized fruits and loss of crop stand bring recommended after second ratoon crop.
down the yield levels in ratoon crops.
Nevertheless pineapple cultivation will
20 Pineapple-a profitable fruit crop for Goa

5. Package of practices for Pineapple

5.1 Introduction It can be grown up to 1100m above mean

Pineapple (Ananas comosus) is one of sea level, if frost free. An optimum
the commercial fruit crops of Goa. It rainfall of 100-150 cm is required, but
originated in Brazil and then spread to still pineapple performs well under
other tropical parts of the world. The high rainfall zone and also under dry
cultivation of Pineapple is confined to zones with supplementary protective
high rainfall and humid coastal regions irrigations during dry spell. The plants
in the peninsular India and hilly areas can come up well in any type of soil
of north-eastern regions of the country. except heavy clay. Sandy loam is ideal
In Goa, it is cultivated in an area of 336 for pine apple. Soil of 45-60 cm depth
hectares with an annual production of without hard pan or stones and with pH
5,040 tonnes. Pineapple grows well in of 5.0-6.0 is highly preferred.
humid tropical condition, in coastal
belts as well as inlands. Optimum 5.2 Land preparation
temperature requirement is 22 to 320C. The field should be well-ploughed and

Mulched trenches of pineapple

Pineapple-a profitable fruit crop for Goa 21

made to fine tilth. The ideal time of and K2O at 12, 4 and 12g/plant/year
planting would be April-May or August respectively is optimum. Application
to October in order to avoid harvests of fertilizer under rain fed conditions
during rainy seasons. should be done when moisture is
available i.e. during monsoon season.
5.3 Planting method: (Table 5).
The propagation materials used are
suckers and slips. Uniform sized slips 5.5 Inter cultivation:
weighing around 350g are used for Earthing up is an essential operation
planting. Suckers and slips are usually which will result in good anchorage.
preferred for planting since they flower It is more important in ratoon crop.
comparatively earlier than crown. Mulching is essential to conserve
The suckers are planted in trenches soil moisture as well to check weed
with a spacing of 90x60x30 cm to growth. Spraying Glyphosate @
accommodate 43,500plants/hectare as 4-5 ml/L or Diuron 2 4 ml/ l is
a sole or main crop (see Fig). In Goa, recommended to control the weeds.
the local variety is planted as intercrop Fruit weight increases with increasing
in slopes under partial shade of cashew number of suckers per plant, while
and other wild trees, accommodating more number of slips delays fruit
around 20,000 plants / hectare. maturity. Hence desuckering can be
delayed as much as possible, while
5.4 Manures and fertilizers: slips are recommended for removal as
Pineapple is shallow feeder with high N soon as they attain the size required
and K requirement. A dose of N, P2O5 for planting.

Table 5: Fertilizer schedule for soil application in pineapple

Months Rock
N Urea P2O5 K2O MOP
after Phosphate
planting g/plant/year g/plant/year g/plant/year
0 - - 4 13.5 - -
2 2 4.4 - - - -
4 2 4.4 - - - -
6 2 4.4 - - 6 36.0
8 2 4.4 - - - -
10 2 4.4 - - - -
12 2 4.4 - - 6 36.0
Total 12 26.40 4 13.5 12 72.0
22 Pineapple-a profitable fruit crop for Goa

Mauritius Local type

Giant Kew
Pineapple-a profitable fruit crop for Goa 23

Table 6: Flower regulation for staggered harvests

Month of Month of application Months taken
Planting of growth regulators for flower Harvesting month
(I year) in the II year induction
April March-April 1-2 October-November
May April-May 1-2 November-December
August July-August 1-2 February-March
September August-September 1-2 March-April
October September-October 1-2 April-May
November October-November 1-2 May-June

5.6 Flower regulation using 56 days could be induced by applying

growth regulators: 50ml of solution containing calcium
Normally, pine apple flowers 10-12 carbide (1%) and urea (2%) at the age
months after planting and fruits are of 12 months. In ratoon crop of Giant
ready for harvest after 5-6 months of Kew, calcium carbide (1%) and urea
flowering. Besides time of planting, (2%) applied in the whorl of plants in
flower induction practices with September-October induced flowering
certain chemicals or growth regulators within one month and the fruits were
influence the season of harvest. Ethrel ready for harvesting in first week of
@ 0.025 ml/l + 2 % urea + 0.04 % March to end of May. The planting
Sodium carbonate induce more than and flower induction schedule can be
90 % flowering, as urea helps in better planned as follows so as to accomplish
absorption and sodium carbonate staggered harvest and unbroken market
increases release of ethylene. Therefore availability through out the season ie
for 1000 plants, 50 litres of solution from October to May. (Table 6).
has to be prepared by dissolving 1.25
ml of ethrel + 1 kg of urea + 20 g of Although, growth regulators or
sodium carbonate. Around 50 ml of this chemicals can induce flowering at any
solution has to be poured in the crown. stage of the plant growth, forcing the
Similarly, 95 percent of flowering within plants to produce flowers at an early

Table 7: Yield potential of pineapple varieties evaluated

Variety/Yield Main crop (t/ha) Ratoon crop (t/ha)
Giant Kew 90-100 60-65
Queen 75-80 50-60
Local 50-60 40-45
24 Pineapple-a profitable fruit crop for Goa

Harvested fruits

stage reduces fruit size. Therefore, Harvesting and yield:

when plants of optimum size (35- Pineapple plants flower 10-12 months
40 fully grown and active leaves) are after planting and fruits become ready
induced to flower, better fruit size is 15-18 months after planting. (Table 7).
obtained without any adverse effects on
the ratoon crop
Pineapple-a profitable fruit crop for Goa 25

REFERENCES
Anonymous, 2013. Agricultural Marketing. Statistical Abstracts. National
Institute of Agricultural Marketing. Jaipur. pp.242-243.
Abu Osman, N,A., F. Ibrahim, W.A.B. Wan Abas, H.S. Abd Rahman, H.N.
Ting. 2008. Bio-ethanol production from agricultural waste biomass
as a renewable bio-energy resource in biomaterials. Biomed 2008,
Proceedings 21, pp. 300–305,
Bhattacharya, R.K. and Bhattacharyya, A.P. 1992. Crop production and
harvest index of Kew pineapple as affected by foliar application of
micronutrients. Acta Hort. (ISHS) 296:161-164
Chadha, K. L. 2001. Pineapple. The hand book of Horticulture. Directorate
of information and publication of Agriculture. ICAR, New Delhi.
Chadha, K. L. Shikhamany, S. D. and Melanta, K. R. 1977. Ratoon cropping in
high density pineapple plantations. Indian Horticulture 22: 3-4.
Hume,H.H. and Miller, H. K. 1904. Pineapple Culture II: varieties. Bull.
Fla. Agric. Exp.Sta. 70: 37-62
National Horticulture Board. 2013. Indian Horticulture database. (www.
nhb.gov.in)
Py, C. Lacoeuilhe, J.J. and Teisson, C. 1987. The pineapple: cultivation and
uses. G. P. Masonneuve and Larose. 15, Rue –Victor, Paris. 568pp.
Rao, G.G., Shikhamany, S.D., Rao , J.V., Chadha, K. L. and Sharma, C.B.
1977. Performance of Kew pineapple (Ananas comosus L.) in three
crop cycle grown under varying soil moisture regimes and nitrogen
levels. Vatika, 1: 1-9.
Samson, J.A. 1984. Tropical fruits. Longman Group Ltd. Longman Inc.
New York. Pp.250.
 26 Pineapple-a profitable fruit crop for Goa

ICAR RESEARCH COMPLEX FOR GOA

(Indian Council of Agricultural Research)
Old Goa - 403 402, Goa, India