Horticulture Digest #102
LOW-ACID PINEAPPLE

A low-acid pineapple may be a desired commodity in the local market. To venture to test the feasibility of a commercial low-acid pineapple, clones Hana-98, Hana-119, Hana-121, Hana-132, Hana-155, and Hana-159 are being used. Tissue culture propagation is used to increase the number of plants for testing. Cooperators on different islands test the potential for a commercial low-acid pineapple.

Tissue culture methods, at the Kauai Research Station, were employed for plant increase. Plants were received from USDA/ARS Germplasm Repository in Hilo, Hawaii in sterile culture. Plant pieces were then placed on modified Murashige and Skoog (MS) medium with one half of the required salts. Growth regulators incorporated into the medium were 2 µM 6-benzylaminopurine (BAP) and 1 µM indole-3-acetic acid (IAA). Prior to planting outdoors, the plants were transferred to the modified MS medium with o ne half of the salts and no growth regulators were used.

A one-inch size determined readiness for greenhouse planting out of the flask. Transfer to greenhouse conditions involved potting into a 1:3 vermiculite:perlite mix. Weekly fertilization was with liquid fertilizer (15-30-15) at 1 teaspoon/gallon. At a 3-i nch size, plants were released.

S. P. Martin, C. A. Bobisud,
T. T. Sekioka, terry@hawaii.edu

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