Growing Note FG4
Pineapple
Gerry McMahon, Senior Technical Officer, DPIFM Darwin
Site Selection: Site must have well drained, sandy/loam soil, preferably
with a pH in the range of 4.5–6.0.
Ground Preparation: Root knot nematode resistant green manure
sorghum crop (Sudax, Jumbo) should be ploughed in six weeks before
planting. Planting mounds should each be 65 cm wide and 30 cm high with
1.5-2.0 m between centres. Incorporate Dolomite at 2-3 kg/100m of row
and superphosphate at 4.5 kg/100m of row. Fertiliser mix at planting of
NPKS 13:2:13:19 at a rate of 4.5 kg/100m of row.
Control weeds using weed mat or a pre- or post-emergent herbicide.
Varieties:
- “Smooths” have large sweet fruit, very few prickles on leaves,
recommended for home gardeners.
- “Roughs” have small sweet fruit, very prickly leaves, commercially
grown type.
Planting Material:
- Tops (from the top of the fruit) are slow growing and take two years to
harvest; suitable for home gardens.
- Slips (develop from the base of the fruit) can be used but are not
preferred, takes 12-18 months to harvest
- Suckers (the preferred material) develop from the base of the stem,
approximately 12-18 months to harvest.
Planting material can be stored for six months in a cool dry place.
Treat planting material with insecticide dip to control mealybug, ie: Diazinon
DEPARTMENT OF PRIMARY 800 g/L @ 65ml/100L of water + 1L of white oil (Infopest November 2004).
INDUSTRY, FISHERIES AND MINES
Crops, Forestry and
Plant Spacings: Plant spacing of 30-40 cm x 45 cm in a double row along
Horticulture Division the mound (25,000–40,000 plants/ha).
GPO Box 3000 Irrigation: Do not use overhead watering, use drippers at a spacing of 0.5
Darwin NT 0801
Tel: 08 8999 2357
m, or tape. Do not over water newly planted material. Reduce watering
Fax: 08 8999 2049 before flower initiation. During dry periods water every one to two weeks.
Email:
[email protected] Apply no more than 25 mm at a time. Maintain water up to two weeks
Web: www.horticulture.nt.gov.au before harvest. Over watering causes root and fruit rots.
Disclaimer: Nutrition: Apply NPKS fertiliser mix (2 kg/100 m of row, of 13:2:13:19)
While all reasonable efforts
have been made to ensure that
every month. Zinc sulphate at 100 g/100 L as a foliar spray and Solubor at
the information contained in 10 g/100 L every alternate month until flower initiation.
this publication is correct, the
information covered is subject Do not fertilise three weeks before flower initiation, and three weeks before
to change. The Northern harvest.
Territory Government does not
assume and hereby disclaims Fertiliser can be applied as an overhead soluble foliar spray, or as a solid to
any express or implied liability
whatsoever to any party for any the ground. Avoid getting solid fertiliser into the throat of the plant.
loss or damage caused by
errors or omissions, whether Cropping: Natural flowering occurs in September-December with a crop in
these errors or omissions result November–February. Flower initiation is difficult in the Northern Territory.
from negligence, accident or Contact DPIFM for further information.
any other cause.
Published February 2005
Pests: Mealybugs, nematodes, symphylids and birds.
Diseases: Root and top rot, fruitlet core rot, and water rot, and various nutrient deficiencies.
Sunburn: Major problem, must protect exposed side of fruit.
Harvest: Pick between first colour to half colour.
Post Harvest: Avoid bruising as fruit are prone to fruit rots. Fruit can be stored at 14-20°C and 80-90%
humidity for up to two weeks.
Refer to the Pineapple Fact Sheet – FF11.
Reference: www.dpi.qld.gov.au/thematiclists/2557.html
© Northern Territory Government, 2006 Page 2 of 2
