Effects of different forms nitrogen fertilizers on yield and quality of pineapple (Ananas comosus (L.) Merr.) cv. Patavia

Abstract

This study aimed to compare the effects of different types of nitrogen (N) fertilizer on production of pineapple (Ananas comosus (L.) Merr.) cv. Patavia grown on Thayang Soil Series, Petchaburi Province. The experimental design was a completely randomized design with 4 replications. The experiment was divided into 4 treatments namely 1) no fertilizer application, 2) using ammonium sulfate as a source of N at a rate of 75 - 17 - 68 kg N,- P₂O₅ - K₂O per rai (DOAA), 3) using urea as a source of N at a rate of 75 - 17 - 68 kg N,- P₂O₅ - K₂O per rai (DOAU) and 4) application of fertilizer at a typical farmer’s practice rate of 45 - 7.7 - 30.6 kg N,- P₂O₅ - K₂O per rai (F). Plant heights and widths at 2, 4, 6 and 8 months of age and fruit lengths and perimeters at 10 and 11 months of age were recorded. Pineapple fruits were harvested at 12 months of age and were chemical analyzed for total soluble solids, pH and titratable acids. The results showed that pineapple received either DOAA or DOAU had no effects on plant heights and widths, fruit lengths and perimeters, and fruit yields and chemical composition. However, pineapple received DOAA had nitrogen use efficiency (45.61%) and physiological efficiency (21.57 kg yield per kg N) greater than those in the DOAU and F treatments. Based on the above-mentioned findings, it can be concluded that ammonium sulfate is recommended to be a source of N fertilizer for pineapple.