Influence of size of sucker and method of planting on the growth and yield of pineapple var.`mauritius`

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Date
1998
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Department of Pomology and Floriculture, College of Horticulture, Vellanikkara
Abstract
An experiment was carried out at the Kerala Horticulture Development Programme, College of Horticulture, Vellanikkara, to evaluate the influence of size of sucker and method of planting on the growth and yield of pineapple variety Mauritius. Suckers of three sizes, viz., 500 g, 750 g and 1000 g, and three methods of planting, viz., planting at ground level, in trenches of 15 cm depth and in trenches of 30 cm depth were used. Results revealed that the size of suckers had significant positive influence on the overall vegetative growth. Suckers weighing 1000 g were found to be significantly superior to those weighing 750 g and 500 g, with respect to resultant height of plants, number of leaves and leaf area. Plants raised from suckers weighing 750 g and 500 g performed similarly. The leaf area index was found to be more in plants derived from large suckers (1000 g), compared to those derived from medium and small suckers. Larger suckers (1000 g) reached the physiological maturity for flowering (39-42 leaf stage), one month earlier than smaller suckers (750 g and 500 g). The initiation of flowering was quicker in plants derived from medium and small suckers. The time taken for 50 per cent flowering was lesser for plants derived from medium and small suckers. Planting large suckers in all the methods resulted in longer flowering phase. The fruit weight (with or without crown) and yield per hectare were not significantly influenced by size of suckers. But the total crop duration was lesser for plants raised from large suckers when compared to medium and small suckers. The sugar content was more in plants derived from small and medium sized suckers. The method of planting did not have much significant influence on the growth and yield characters. This suggests that ground planting is sufficient in pineapple variety Mauritius, which can reduce the cost of cultivation thereby increasing the profitability of the farmer.
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