The influence of three hormones on the induction of flowering and yield of two pineapple cultvars ( Ananas comosus)

Abstract

Two experiments were conducted on 1 April 2004 and 5 April 2005 with pineapple suckers established on 1 July 2003 at Iwuru, Nigeria, to determine the effect of three forcible hormones at different concentrations: (calcium carbide at 25, 30, and 35 g/litre, napthaleneacetic acid (NAA) at 0.25, 0.50 and 0.75 g/litre and B-hydroxyethyl hydrazine at 0.25, 0.50, 0.75 g/litre) on the flowering and fruiting of two pineapple cultivars (Smooth Canyenne and Natal Queen). The results showed that plots treated with B-hydroxyethyl hydrazine at 0.50 g/litre produced flowers within 8 days and were significantly (P < 0.05) superior to all other treatments. Calcium carbide applied at 30 g/litre was more outstanding in inducing flowering and fruit production than either 25 or 35 g/litre concentrations. Increasing the concentration of NAA from 0.25 to 0.50 g/litre and from 0.50 to 0.75 g/litre consistently increased the production of flowers in the two cultivars. There was 51.5% drop in flower production and 34.1% drop in fruit production when B-hydroxyethyl hydrazine was increased from 0.50 to 0.75 g/litre. These results are discussed in light of application of hormone concentrations in pineapple management.