Effects of time and height of shading on yield and quality of pineapple

Abstract

Effects of time and height of shading on the sunburn rate, yield and quality of pineapples were investigated in order to provide a theoretical basis for high-quality pineapple production. Golden pineapple was used as the material, and three shading times (30 d, 45 d, and 60 d after flower-fading), and the heights of 0 cm, 20 cm, and 40 cm (the distance from the top of the plant) were set. Golden pineapple's internal and external fruit qualities were measured. The results showed that the incidence of sunburn of pineapple fruits increased with the delay of the shading time, and no differences were found among three heights at 30 d after flower fading. When pineapple plants were shaded at 30 d after flower fading and at height of 0 cm, pineapple fruits showed good external qualities, including larger fruit size, less fruit eyes, less fruit shape index, larger fruit hardness, higher edible rate and good internal qualities, including higher soluble solid content, higher soluble sugar content and lower total acidity. Shading at 30 d after flower fading and at height of 0 cm was suggested in pineapple production.