Agriculture Reference
In-Depth Information
Fig. 12.7. The growth cycle of a pineapple crop to harvesting the fi rst ratoon crop in
relation to the various stages of development and crop age (Rohrbach, no date).
Cell division is completed prior to anthesis, with all further development
being the result of cell enlargement (Okimoto, 1948). Fruit weight increases
about 20-fold from the time of fl owering until maturation (Fig. 12.6). Fruit
development studies have shown that fruit weight and its components (core,
fruitlets, the collective fl esh, fruit shell) increase in a sigmoid fashion after the
infl orescence is initiated (Fig. 12.6). Crown growth increases about 30-45
days after fruit growth has commenced. The crown has been reported to have
no direct ef ect on the development of the fruit, though crown removal early
in fruiting leads to greater fruit weight. The most marked changes in fl esh
composition occur in the 3-7 weeks prior to, and at, the half-yellow-shell
colour stage. Just prior to this stage, fruit translucence can start to develop,
and translucent development continues after harvest. Titratable acidity
declines and the total soluble solids gradually increases, being more rapid
in the last 6 weeks, as the fruit approaches the fully ripe stage. Fruit sugars
continue to increase through to senescence, unless the fruit is harvested.
 
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