Integrated influence of soil tillage, nitrogen–potassium fertiliser and mulching on pineapple (Ananas comosus (L.) Merr.) growth and yield

Abstract

Pineapple is one of the most important fruit in the world and its production requires appropiate cultural practices. This work aimed to investigate the influences of soil tillage, nitrogen–potassium (N-K) fertiliser and mulching on pineapple growth and yield. The experimental design was a split-split plot with four replications. The main factor was soil tillage (at two levels: flat tillage and ridging), the subplot factor was N-K fertilisation (at five levels: 1.6 N and 1.6 K, 5.8 N and 6.6 K, 10 N and 11.6 K, 1.6 N and 11.6 K, and 10 N and 1.6 K, in g plant⁻¹) and the sub-subplot factor was use of fresh pineapple residues (at three levels: surface mulching (at 10 t ha⁻¹), 10 t ha⁻¹ buried residues at 10 cm depth, and no mulching). Growth and yield parameters were recorded. A mixed ANOVA model was performed on ‘D’ leaf characteristics, biomass production and yield. The results suggested that soil ridging and burying of 1 kg m⁻² of crop residues improved pineapple growth and yield. Nitrogen–potassium combinations 10 N and 11.6 K, 1.6 N and 11.6 K, and 5.8 N and 6.6 K (in g plant⁻¹) resulted in better plant development and higher yield.