Growth regulators effects on flower opening and fruit quality of pineapple

Abstract

A trial was conducted to test the effects of GA₃, 2,4-D, metiquat chloride and 2-chloroetylfosfonic acid on the opening of pineapple flowers and upon some qualitative and quantitative characteristics of the fruit. Only the 2-chloroetylfosfonic acid (1.000, 2.000 and 3.000 ppm) inhibited flower opening. This compound also reduced the juice content and the number of slips per plant significantly. Despite some significant differences among a few treatments, in general most treatments, independent of their concentrations, had little effects on the other parameters studied, such as crown size, % eatable portion of the fruit, fruit weight and length fruit core diameter, total soluble solids, acidity and pH. Preliminary observations still showed that Fusarium moniliforme attack was lower in the fruits treated with 2-chloroetylfosfonic acid. The establishment of a cultural practice which inhibits the opening of the pineapple flowers could be valuable for the control of such disease. Further studies should be carried out in order to corroborate the preliminary results obtained in the present work.