Pineapple is a nutritious and delicious fruit that plays an important role in the international market as a commercial product. Modern farming methods and improved varieties of pineapple can significantly increase the yield.
Consider cultivating high-yield varieties such as Giant Q, Honey Queen, Ghorashal, and Jaldhupi.
Nutrients:
Pineapple cultivation is best suited for hilly areas and has immense nutritional value, being a source of vitamins A, B, and C. It can easily meet the nutritional needs of a family and also provide financial benefits when cultivated in the vacant land around a homestead.
Best Time to Plant:
Cultivation from October to November yields good results, but with irrigation facilities, planting can be done until February.
Land Preparation:
The soil should be properly prepared, and drains should be arranged around each seed plot to facilitate irrigation and drainage.
Cultivation method:
To cultivate, make beds that are 15 cm tall and 1 meter wide. Space the beds 40-50 cm apart. Leave blank spaces between the beds. Plant the seedlings in two rows with a distance of 50 cm between the rows and 30-40 cm between the seedlings within the rows.
Year-Round Pineapple Cultivation with Hormone Application:
With planned cultivation and hormone application, pineapple can be produced throughout the year. Hormones should be applied to pineapple plants with 30-32 leaves at the age of eight to nine months after planting. 50 ml of ethereal solution should be applied per plant. The ethrel solution can be prepared by mixing one liter of water with 500 grams of Ethrel, then applying 50 grams per plant. Plants will flower within 35-40 days of hormone application.
Fertilizer Management:
Due to the reduced number of trees for various reasons, the fertilizer amount is indicated per tree, rather than per hectare. For pineapple cultivation, it is best to use organic fertilizers to ensure a high-quality yield.
Fertilizer Application:
– Compost fertilizer: 290-310 grams per plant
– Urea Fertilizer: 30-36 grams per plant
– TSP Fertilizer: 10-15 grams per plant
– Potash fertilizer: 25-30 grams per plant
– Gypsum fertilizer: 10-15 grams per plant
Dung, Gypsum, and TSP should be mixed with the soil during bed preparation. Urea and potash should be applied in 5 installments, beginning 4-5 months after planting the row seedlings. Other fertilizers should be mixed with the soil during bed preparation.
Irrigation:
Irrigate the land if needed. Irrigation should be given every 15 days during dry season.
Weed Control:
It is important to control weeds by properly plowing and weeding the land, using quality seeds and clean agricultural machinery. It is also crucial to regularly monitor the land and conduct weeding as soon as spring arrives, after irrigation and fertilization.
Weather and Disasters:
Make necessary arrangements to quickly collect excess rainwater.
Yield:
The yield can range from 125-180 kg per hectare, depending on the variety.
Harvesting:
It is important to maintain smaller fruit crowns to facilitate export. This can be achieved by removing the central meristem of the crown 65-75 days after flowering with an iron auger. Harvesting should be done from mid-June to mid-August. Typically, the fruit ripens 4-5 months after flowering. Generally, the fruit is ready to be picked when the eyes of the lower 3rd of the fruit turn yellow.
