Effects of Planting Bed and Density on the Yield of Pineapple (Ananas comosus L. var., MD2) Grown in Short Rainy Season in Southern Côte d’Ivoire

Abstract

Background and Objective: The insertion of MD2 pineapple in the international trade of fruits has helped reduce drastically the share of Côte d’Ivoire, a long-time leader in the European market with the variety Smooth Cayenne. In order to regain the lost market share, the Ivorian pineapple producers are considering a varietal diversification that goes through an adaptation of MD2 cultivation to the local ecological conditions. Thus, the study conducted in three pineapple-producing cities (Bonoua, Dabou, Tiassalé) aimed at improving the performance of MD2 variety in pedoclimatic conditions of Southern Côte d’Ivoire. Methodology: The effects of three planting beds: Flat land (TP), bare ridge (BSP) and ridge covered with polyethylene film (BAP) and two planting densities: 50000 and 70000 seedlings haG1 (D50 and D70 respectively) were assessed on performance parameters through a split-plot design. Results: The results showed that in Bonoua and Dabou, the crop cycle of MD2 pineapple grown in short rainy season was relatively short (12 months) regardless of the planting bed and density. In Tiassalé, the average fruit weight and the highest gross yields were recorded on the ridges covered with polyethylene film. Furthermore, in all cities subjected to experiment, high planting densities (70000 plants haG1) were marked out by the highest yields. Conclusion: The adoption of these results by producers could improve the production of MD2 pineapple in Côte d’Ivoire.