Pineapple-Inter cultivation

Apply the recommended fertilizers in the correct time. Apply the manures and fertilizers in trenches 30 cm deep taken at a distance of 1 meter from the base of the tree. After application of fertilizers, cover with soil by scraping the sides of trenches.

Pineapple is highly sensitive to water stagnation and high moisture regimes. Hence it is important to provide good drainage, if grown in wetlands.

Mulching the crop with dry leaves at 6 tones/ha will help to conserve moisture.

Pre-emergence (within a few weeks after planting) spray of Diuron 80 WP (2 kg/ha in 600 litre of water) can keep the field free of weeds for about four months. For subsequent weed control, herbicide application is repeated at half the above dose. Ensure sufficient moisture in soil while herbicide application.

For controlling Mikania micrantha (vayara valli or American valli), spot-application of diuron can be adopted. Spraying should be done when there is adequate moisture in the soil. Avoid periods of heavy rainfall for spraying.

Weeds in interspaces can be controlled by spraying Glyphosate 41 SL (2 litre/ha). While spraying in interspaces, care should be taken that the weedicide shall not fall on pineapple plant.

For inducing uniform flowering, 25 ppm Ethephon is poured in the crown on physiologically mature plants having 39-42 leaves (7-8 months after planting) along with Urea (20 gram/litre of water) and Calcium Carbonate (4 gram/10 litre of water).

The solution for application in 1000 plants is prepared by adding 1.25 ml of ethephon (3.2 ml of 39% ethrel or 12.5 ml of 10% ethrel), 1 kg urea and 20 g calcium carbonate to 50 litres of water. Pour 50 ml of the prepared solution to the heart of the plant during dry weather conditions (when there is no rain during the time of application).

Flowering starts by 30 days and completes within 40 days of growth regulator application in Mauritius variety. Fruits will be ready for harvest by 130-135 days after the application of growth regulator. Harvest over different months / seasons could be obtained by carefully phasing / planning the planting and growth regulator application.

Wherever irrigation facilities are available, providing irrigation in summer months at two weeks intervals. If there is no irrigation facility, the crop should be scheduled for harvest before summer months (before March).

The plant crop after harvest can be retained as ratoon crop for two more years. After the harvest of the plant crop, chopping the side leaves of the mother plant should be done for easy cultural operations. The suckers retained should be limited to one or two per mother plant. Earthing up should be done. Other management practices are same.