Too High

Abstract

Reports from various countries have indicated that recommended commercial rates of flower inductants for pineapples may be unnecessarily high. In a trial with Smooth Cayenne pineapples, the effects were compared of ANA [NAA] at 5-20 p.p.m. and ECP (ethephon) at 250-1000 ml/ha, each applied once in November, January or March, followed or not by an application of 10 p.p.m. NAA 10 days later. Data are tabulated for November-treated plants (the only ones so far harvested) on yields, average fruit weight and percentage fruit harvested. With both growth substances yields and average fruit weight were highest with a single application at the lowest rate.