by Jims Vincent Capuno
Pineapple is one of the country’s major food exports, along with fresh banana and luscious mango. In fact, the Philippines is the second largest exporter of pineapple in the world (Japan alone buys almost 80 percent of total pineapple exports). But not too many Filipinos know that pineapple is not a native of the country.
It is believed to have .originated from Brazil, where tribal people have always regarded pineapple highly and have used it as a staple food and as an ingredient in some wines. When early explorers brought the pineapple back to Europe, its sweetness and unusual appearance made the fruit a symbol of royal privilege.
Being popular in Europe, the Spaniards (who carved facsimiles of pineapples over doorways) brought the fruit to the Philippines after the latter was ‘rediscovered’ by Ferdinand Magellan in 1521. Today, the Philippines, along with Brazil, Malaysia, Taiwan, Mexico, South Africa and Puerto Rico, are the top pineapple-producing countries in the world.
For years, Hawaii supplied 70 percent of the world’s canned pineapple and 85 percent of canned pineapple juice, but labor costs have shifted a large segment of the industry from Hawaii to the Philippines. In 1983, Dole transferred 75 percent of its operations to the Philippines, particularly in Polomolok, South Cotabato. In 2004, the area planted to pineapple was 15,507.872 hectares with an average production volume of 31.94 metric tons per hectare.
The Bureau of Agricultural Research (BAR) said pineapple requires a mild (24 to 30oC) and relatively uniform temperature throughout the year. It also requires evenly distributed rainfall during its growing period. Pineapple grows best at elevations of 150 to 240 meters in well-drained soil with a pH of 4.5 to 5.5.
There are several recommended varieties. Smooth Cayenne (Hawaiian) is the most favored cultivars for canning and fresh fruit consumption. It matures in 18 months and yields 25,000 fruits per hectare. It is grown in most provinces of the Philippines. Other cultivars grown locally are Queen (Formosa) and Red Spanish (native Philippine red).
Here are some points on crop establishment of pineapple from BAR:
Planting. In small-scale operations, planting time is between March and August. Plant slips and suckers 8 to 10 centimeters deep, 25 or 30 centimeters in row and 80 to 100 centimeters between rows. These spacings give population density of 33,000 to 50,000 plants per hectare. Planting in double rows increases population per hectare. This method requires distance of 25 to 30 centimeters in a row, 50 centimeters within a double row and 100 centimeters between double rows. This will result in about 44,000 to 53,000 plants per hectare.
Weed Control. Hand pulling and hoeing with the aid of suitable implements are the most common methods of weed control. Weeds can be used as mulch (soil covering) to conserve moisture and add organic matter to the soil. The most widely used herbicide is diuron, which is applied at 6.4 kilograms active ingredient per hectare. The herbicide is sprayed immediately after planting and then followed by two-month interval to prevent weed growth.
Intercropping. The usual intercropping practice is to plant pineapple under coconut or papaya. Returns from intercropping can be greatly increased by supplying the fertilizer requirements of all crops.
Fertilization. Adequate nitrogen fertilizer makes plants grow vigorously and produce large fruits. Potassium, on the other hand, increase fruit size and sweetness. Pineapple will require little phosphorus since our soil have generally sufficient phosphorus.
“Pineapple performs well when given the right amount of fertilizer,” and the new technique would give fruit growers fruits “that are in accordance with the standards of the export market,” said Inocencio Obrero, a researcher from the Research Outreach Station of the Department of Agriculture in Camarines Norte.
In his study entitled, Performance of Queen Pineapple as Influenced by Varying Amounts of Nitrogen and Potassium Fertilizers, Obrero found out that nitrogen and potassium applied to the soil improve the height, length and width of the pineapple plant’s leaves. Attaining a specific plant growth means high-quality fruits that suit the requirements of the export market, he said.
Another important thing a farmer needs to know is the right way to harvest the fruit. First, pieces of the leaves from the base of the fruit are removed when harvesting. Harvesting boxes are placed at the end of the plantation rows. The boxes must be free from any sharp or rough projections inside. Pineapples for the fresh fruit market should not be piled in jeeps and trucks without being placed in containers.
For export marketing, these are packed in fruit cases with wood wool or protective materials between each fruit and under the butt of the fruit where it touches the case.
