Testing Quality Management Technology for Producing Fresh Pineapple cv. MD2 in the Areas of Phetchaburi Province

Abstract

Fresh pineapple production in Phetchaburi Province is constrained by inconsistent yields, short shelf life, and browning of the core upon arrival at the market, which are partly attributed to land preparation and soil and fertilizer management practices. This research aims to evaluate planting, soil preparation and fertilizer management technologies to enhance the quality of MD2 pineapples under local growing conditions. The study was conducted in 10 pineapple growers' fields in Nong Ya Plong, Phetchaburi Province, during 2022-2024, tested practices were compared with farmers’ practices. The tested practice consisted of raised-beds planting in a single-row system with a spacing of 30 x 70 cm, fertilizer application based on soil analysis at 3 and 6 months after planting, foliar applications of calcium-boron at the early of flowering stage and at 1 and 2 months after flowering, and foliar application of 2.0 mM salicylic acid at 20 and 10 days before harvest. The results showed that the tested practice produced an average yield of 9,368 kg/rai, which was 32.5% higher than that obtained under farmer's practice. Fruit sweetness averaged 19.3° Brix, which was also higher than that of the farmers’ practice. After storage at -14°C for 1 month, fruit produced under the tested practice exhibited a delayed onset of internal browning compared with those from farmers’ practice. In addition, raised- bed planting reduced the incidence of root and stem rot disease. Although the tested practice increased the average production cost to 118,442 baht/rai, representing a 22.1% increase over the farmers’ practice, it generated a net income of 113,770 baht/rai, which was 58.7% higher, resulting in a higher average return on investment ratio of 2.0. Furthermore, 90% of participating farmers expressed the highest level of satisfaction with the improved practice, that met market quality standards, and one model farmer was successfully developed as a learning center for the dissemination of MD2 pineapple production technology to other farmers in the area.