Research Topic – Irrigation

OVERVIEW

Two treatments, three replicates of each – Irrigated (subsurface drip tape), and non-irrigated

Monitoring – Soil water content probes to guide application

Data will be collected on a range of plant variables including fresh weight of whole plants, d leaves etc. on a monthly basis. In addition to this, postharvest assessment of fruit will be conducted to gain further insight into treatment effects on fruit quality.

JUSTIFICATION

Discussed at 2023 Pineapple Think Tank

• Weaknesses – fruit consistency, natural flowering, updating technology and methods, high input costs

• Threats – Input costs rising, climate, red tape/regulation

• Solutions – Precision agriculture, automation, innovation for cost management

Discussed at WB Regional Priority Setting Study Group

• #1 Regional priority is irrigation

• Need a better understanding of irrigation in pines, Golden Circle incentive, how irrigation affects phytophthora and how irrigation affects natural flowering.

OBJECTIVES

The aim of this research is to explore whether precision irrigation can be used to increase the productivity and profitability of pineapple production systems when compared to non-irrigated production.

• Is there an increase in marketable yield/fruit size that results from the use of irrigation in pineapple production systems?

• Does irrigation reduce natural flowering when compared to unirrigated pineapple production?

• Does irrigation affect the incidence of phytophthora heart rot?

OUTCOMES

In this research we will ascertain whether there is an increase in marketable yield/fruit size that results from the use of irrigation in pineapple production systems. Quantify whether irrigation reduces natural flowering when compared to unirrigated pineapple production and determine if irrigation affects the incidence of phytophthora heart rot.

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