Global Advanced Research Journal of Agricultural Science (GARJAS) ISSN: 2315-5094
November 2014 Vol. 3(11): pp. 373-378
Copyright © 2014 Global Advanced Research Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Performance of pineapple (Ananas comosus (L.) Merr) plantlets as influenced by types and weights of propagule.

Omotoso, S. O

Department of Crop, Soil and Environmental Sciences, Ekiti State University, Ado- Ekiti. Nigeria.

Email: seguntoso@yahoo.com

Accepted 29 October, 2014

Abstract

Inadequate supply of pineapple planting materials is one of the major constraints to the expansion of its large scale cultivation in South-West, Nigeria. The effects of types and weight of propagule on the performance of pineapple (Ananas comosus) plantlets was evaluated at the Teaching and Research Farm, Ekiti State University, Ado-Ekiti, Nigeria. Treatments consisted of two propagule types (PT) i.e. Stump, S and Crown, C and three propagule weights (PW); 20-25 g as light weight (LW); 30-35 g as medium weight (MW) and 40-45 g as heavy weight (HW). The experiment was laid out in a randomized complete block design in four replications. The results showed that irrespective of types of planting material used, propagule weights significantly (P<0.05) increased number of pineapple plantlets, length of D-leaf, number of leaves, leaf area and root length. Heavy weight (40-45g) stumps produced the highest number of pineapple plantlets (11)  compared to the least (2) produced by LW stump as well as 3, 6 and 8 produced by LW, MW and HW crowns, respectively. HW Stump produced significantly (P<0.05) higher plantlet biomass weight of 310g compared to other classes of the propagules. It is evident that the use of heavy weight stump could enhance the growth of pineapple plantlets therefore, it is recommended as planting material for the production of plantlets in pineapple cultivation.

Keywords: Pineapple, plantlet, propagule weight, propagation, sprouts.