Effect of plant age on flower induction in pineapple cv. kew

Forcing at later stages (390–420 days) showed higher number of slip formation per plant and delayed the days required for flower emergence. Application of ethrel pt 390 days after planting showed maximum percentage (74.3 per cent) of plants to flower and yield/hectare (79.7 tonnes). The juice content of fruit showed no remarkable variation due to different time of application but the total soluble solids and total sugar content of fruit were found higher when forcing was done between 375 and 420 days after planting. It was concluded that for flower induction, ethrel should be applied between 390 and 420 days after planting when the plants had 43.7–46.2 leaves.