Effect of Slip Size, Slip Storage, and Time of Planting on Yield of Red Spanish Pineapple in Puerto Rico

Abstract

Premature and disperse fruiting of Red Spanish pineapple reduces yield, increases cost of harvesting and upsets bloom induction schedules. Slips of a mean weight of 160,125, and 75 grams, stored for 0, 45 and 90 days and planted June 1, July 15 and August 31, 1970 did not fruit prematurely. The border planting made with the regular plantation slips in use that year, which had a mean weight of 544 grams, planted July 16, 1970, produced only premature fruit. Proper slip size was shown in the experiment to be a very important factor in influencing the time of natural fruiting and its effect was curvilinear. Each additional gram had a stronger effect in early blossoming as slip size increased. Storage of slips reduced fruit weight and delayed fruit harvest. The first 45 days in storage had a greater delaying action than the subsequent 45 days. Delayed planting also retarded fruiting. The delay of one day in planting retarded harvest by 0.3 day. Any factor that delayed fruit harvest also reduced fruit weight.