ASCOT Library Zabali Campus

Master of Science in Agriculture (Crop Science)

In Study 1, one hundred sixty two (162) days experimental trial using six hundred (600 pieces) of eleven (11) month old smooth cayenne pineapple variety was conducted to evaluate the flowering and ripening response of pineapple plants poured and sprayed with varying levels of ethylene.
Two related studies were conducted in a series. Study I dealt with the effect of varying levels of ethephon solution on the flower induction of the pineapple fruits. Different levels were used as follows: 50 mL, 75 mL. 100mL, 150mL which were applied to the pineapple plants 11 months after planting.
Significant differences were noted on the number of productive flowers per treatment with the application of ethephon mixed with urea and Calcium Carbonate at varying levels. Results show that number of productive flowers correspondingly increase with increasing levels of ethephon solution. The productive flowers of Treatment 4 at 150 mL ethephon solution with a mean of 44 was significantly higher over the pineapple plant applied with ethephon solution from 50 mL to 100 mL.
Study 2, dealt with the concentration which promoted faster and more uniform ripening. It aimed to determine the response of pineapple fruits to the solution at varying concentrations as follows: 500 ppm, 1,000 ppm, and 2,000 ppm; untreated pineapple served as check plant. The results show that 2,000 ppm ethephon induced pineapple promoted faster and uniform ripening. It took only 7 days for all pineapple fruits to ripen as compared to 18 days of the control.
The main influence of ethephon were noted in color changes, enhance flowering and hasten ripening of pineapple fruits, hence it is the work of hormone Ethylene. It was noted that with the application of higher level of ethephon, ripening duration was significantly shortened.===