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Page 36 · DO #457 · 204_Popenoe_Bx33FF27r
- Collection
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Wilson Popenoe (1892–1975) family papers
- Item/Folder
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The Pineapple - manuscripts, notes on various tropical fruits - chapter in outline for proposed book with Herbert Wolfe, n.d.
- Digital Object
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DO #457,
page 36
- Collection-level dates
- 1882–1975
Page transcription
properly. The smooth surface left by cutting is easily sterilized by brushing on it a solution of salicylic acid (1g. in 100 ml. of 20% alcohol). Crowns are usually left on the fruits in shipping; if they are cut off to conserve shipping space, the exposed surface should also be treated as above.
Ratoon Crops
The first crop obtained from a new planting is called the 'plant crop'. The original plant stems can never bear again, but long before the plant crop matures, branches will have arisen on the plant stems. Usually aerial branches develop before branches arise near or below the soil surface, and about a year after the plant crop matures, fruits should mature on these branches, the first ratoon crop. New branches continue to develop each year, and fields have sometimes continued in production without replanting for 25 years. The fruit size decreases in successive ratoon crops, and with it the yield per acre. The problem is to determine when diminishing yield makes it economically unwise to take further ratoon crops instead of replanting. In most pineapple-growing areas, 2 ratoon crops are considered worthwhile; but in Puerto Rico only 1 is recommended while in South Africa 4 may be taken. As an example may be considered data from Australia with Smooth Cayenne. If 2 ratoon crops are harvested, the average annual yield over the 5 years that the field is in pineapples is 9 tons per acre. If only 1 ratoon crop is harvested, with a 4-year planting cycle, the annual yield is harvested, with a 4-year planting cycle, the annual yield is 8 3/4 tons. In this case the second ratoon crop is worthwhile. In Hawaii the reverse is true.
When it is considered that no further ratoon crops are economical, the field should be plowed right after harvest. The old stems add many tons of organic matter to the soil, which decomposes slowly during the year of fallow. Then the field is prepared again for planting. The planting cycle of 4 years includes 2 years from planting to plant crop, 1 year of ratoon crop, and 1 year of fallow.
