The Response of Pineapple (Ananas comosus L. Merri) Growth and Yield to Various Fertilizer Sources and Types of Propagules

Abstract

Optimizing propagule type and nutrient management is essential for enhancing vegetative growth and yield under tropical field conditions. This study was conducted at Ogidi Village, Orire Local Government Area, Ogbomoso, and Oyo State, Nigeria, to determine the effects of nutrient sources and methods on growth and yield of pineapple. The experiment consisted of three propagule types (suckers, slips, and crowns) and five nutrient sources: control (0 kg N ha⁻¹), 800 kg N ha⁻¹, 300 kg N ha⁻¹ supplied as urea, 6 t ha⁻¹ poultry manure, and 10 t ha⁻¹ Tithonia compost. Treatments were arranged in a Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) with three replications. Data were collected on vegetative growth parameters, including plant height, D-leaf length, number of leaves, and leaf area, as well as on yield and yield-related traits such as days to flowering, fruit weight, crown weight, and total fruit yield. The data were subjected to analysis of variance (ANOVA). Treatment means were separated using Duncan’s Multiple Range Test (DMRT) at 5% probability level. Growth and yield were significantly (P ≤ 0.05) influenced by propagule type, nutrient source, and their interaction across all sampling periods (4–14 months after planting, MAP). Sucker-derived plants consistently exhibited superior vegetative performance, recording the greatest plant height, D-leaf length, leaf area ratio, relative growth rate, and biomass accumulation compared with slips and crowns. At 14 MAP, suckers produced the tallest plants (123.17 cm under compost), highest total fresh weight (419.03 g), and highest dry weight (591.37 g). Crowns generally recorded the lowest values across growth parameters. Nutrient application significantly enhanced growth relative to the unfertilized control. Early growth was promoted by poultry manure, while Tithonia compost, urea, and 800 kg N ha⁻¹ markedly improved plant height, biomass, and growth indices at later stages. Poultry manure produced the highest D-leaf length (41.94 cm at 14 MAP), whereas 800 kg N ha⁻¹ and urea significantly increased relative growth rate and total biomass. Yield and yield components were also significantly affected by treatments. Sucker-derived plants produced superior fruit length (up to 17.75 cm), fruit diameter (36.86 cm), and highest fruit yield (1.099 t ha⁻¹ under poultry manure), outperforming slips and crowns. Although unfertilized plants flowered and fruited earlier, they recorded the lowest fruit size and yield. Organic nutrient sources, particularly poultry manure and Tithonia compost, performed comparably to inorganic fertilizers in enhancing yield, especially when combined with sucker propagules. In conclusion, establishment of pineapple using suckers in a single row system with the application of 800 kg/ha NPK or 6 t/ha poultry manure were recommended for the study.