Seasonal Influences on Fruiting of Rough Leaf Pineapples.

Abstract

To determine the environmental .stimulus to flowering and fruiting in rough leaf pineapple ( Ananas comosus Merr.), meteorological and pineapples production records were examined from New Britain and the Northern Province. Fruit numbers at Keravat and average minimum (night) temperatures over a 4-week period 22 weeks prior to harvest were co-related (-0558***) as were fruit numbers and sunshine hours (0.367*). Partial correlation showed that the effect of sunshine hours was not significant when the effect of minimum temperature was removed. It is concluded that floral initiation in the rough leaf pineapple is greatest during periods of low night temperatures.