Two New Pineapple Varieties for Puerto Rico

Abstract

A pineapple breeding project was conducted by the Agricultural Experiment Station with the purpose of developing better pineapple varieties that would be more profitable to the farmer. Two new varieties, P.R. 1-56 and P.R. 1-67, were developed under this project. Variety P.R. 1-56, formerly seedling 1A2, is a Red Spanish X Smooth Cayenne F₁ hybrid. The outstanding characteristic of this variety is its great vigor, particularly in the ratoon crop. It also is resistant to gummosis and mealybug wilt. The plant produces fruit with an average weight of 5.5 pounds each, and the fruit is sweet and of a very pleasant flavor. It can yield up to 30 tons per acre. Variety P.R. 1-67, formerly seedling 7D1S, was selected from a progeny originated from Red Spanish open-pollinated seed. Its outstanding characteristics are its natural flavor, its resistance to gummosis and mealybug wilt, and its good size. The plant is vigorous and produces fruit with an average weight of 5.8 pounds. The fruit is sweet, juicy and of excellent flavor. It can yield up to 32 tons per acre.