Pineapple

Around 175 Kg/ha (up to 70 000 plants per hectare with an individual biomass of around 2.5 kg at forcing). Nitrogen mostly determines the productivity of the plant. The absence of N in either organic or mineral form, almost always results in compromised development and/or productivity of the plant, with the appearance of typical symptoms of N deficiency. N has a directly influence on fruit yield, size and mass, though it tends to reduce soluble solids and acidity. Despite this, an excessive nitrogen supply can have a negative impact on the quality of pineapples by reducing flesh firmness and sweetness, diminishing red color appearance and increasing susceptibility to disease and damage.

On the other hand, nitrogen deficiencies are characterized by greenish-yellow to yellow foliage, small and narrow leaves, a weak plant with slow growth and can lead to small fruits with poor flavor. Pineapples that are deficient in nitrogen tend to give a lower yield because of a shorter period of leaf maintenance, which leads to a shorter period for the accumulation of reserves during the post-harvest cycle. Symptoms are common on soils poor in organic matter, without fertilization and under hot and sunny conditions. A nitrogen application rate of 600 to 800 kg/ha/year is usually considered adequate for pineapples.

Phosphorus is a vital component of adenosine triphosphate (ATP), the “energy unit” of plants. ATP forms during photosynthesis, has phosphorus in its structure, and is active from the beginning of seedling growth through to the formation of fruits and maturity.

Phosphorus is important for the general health and vigor of all plants including pineapples. Some specific growth benefits that have been associated with phosphorus are: a stimulation of root development, improved flower formation and fruit production, improved crop quality, increased resistance to disease, and more vigorous development throughout the growth cycle. Phosphorus deficiencies symptoms include dark, bluish-green foliage, which is more pronounced in the presence of excess N, and leaves that completely dry out at the tips, starting from the older ones. The old leaves have dry, brownish-red tips and brown transverse striations and the borders of these leaves turn yellow from the tips. Plants suffering from P deficiency also have more erect, long and narrow leaves and roots with longer, more colored and less ramified hairs; the fruit is small and reddish in color. P deficiency causes a reduction in the growth of all parts of the plant. Visual deficiency symptoms are often not seen and are not very specific, and hence could be mistaken for symptoms resulting from damage to the root system caused by water deficiency, nematodes or pests.

The addition of P fertilizer in the root zone will increase plant access to the nutrient and there must be adequate soil moisture for a good nutrient diffusion and root uptake. Therefore, foliar applications of phosphorus are more effective than simple dry basal applications.

K is taken up by and present in plants as the K+ cation, which plays an important role in regulating the osmotic potential of cells and in the activation of enzymes involved in respiration and photosynthesis.

Potassium is an extremely important nutrient for plant transpiration, chlorophyll uptake, and the transport and storage of carbohydrates in the fruits, helping to increase sugar content. It also helps to promote the storage of reserves in different parts of the plants. The potassium increases the content of soluble solids and acidity, changes the color, increases fruit mass and diameter, produces higher firmness of the skin and pulp and reduces the browning of pineapple fruits. During the early stages of K deficiency, leaves are dark-green and narrow, but if the deficiency is prolonged, leaves eventually become yellow.

In cases of potassium deficiency, pineapple productivity, quality and storage potential are negatively affected. Poor fruit color (either a lack of color or dirty looking fruit) is observed in pineapples suffering from potassium deficiency. Sugar content of fruits is also reduced. When potassium accumulation is excessive, total acidity decreases and fruit pH becomes unacceptably high, which may impact storage quality. It is important to maintain a K/Mg ratio of approximately 3/1 in the soil.
To reach the plant’s requirement for high amounts of K, large quantities of K fertilizer are applied to the soil, or as a foliar spray, or both. The optimum soil K level at planting is 150 mg/kg (neutral ammonium acetate extraction), and deficiencies symptoms are observed when soil level is below than 60 mg/kg. A large pre-planting application of K fertilizer can bring positive benefits, nevertheless previous soil analysis must be done to determine the doses and avoid nutrient imbalances.

The incorporation of sulfur in a fertilization program is not common because sulfate is usually the accompanying ion when K, Mg and most micronutrients (except B) are sprayed as foliar fertilizers.

Sulfur deficiencies are rarely observed, though some symptoms associated with a deficiency of sulfur are: pale yellow to gold colored foliage; pinkish leaf borders, especially on older leaves; normal plant stature; very small fruit.

The pineapples crop is one of the few crops that can be profitable when grown in acid sulfate soils, probably because of its tolerance to soluble aluminium in the soil. Fertilization programs with around 100 kg of S per hectare per year usually relate to yields greater than 85 tons per hectare in the first harvests.

The Ca requirement for the MD-2 variety appears to be higher than for Smooth Cayenne and the concentration in the plant depends on the availability of Ca in the soil. Calcium levels in plants (MD-2 variety) must be between 0.24-0.30 ppm at forcing for adequate growth of the fruit. The level in soils for optimum growth should be > 100 mg/kg (neutral ammonium acetate extraction). Calcium deficiencies symptoms are observed when soil Ca is less than 25 mg/kg.

Calcium is quite important in the initial stages of crop establishment because cell division and differentiation are dependent on an adequate supply. Calcium is also very important after floral induction (forcing) because of the period of rapid cell division and growth. Calcium may improve cell structure and reduce fruit translucence.

Calcium has an impact on the interior quality of pineapples, and fertilization may have positive or negative effect on the availability of calcium and its uptake from the soil. Fertilization in calcium deficient soils is a necessity, and this is very important in acidic soils.

Deficiency symptoms can be most pronounced just prior to the floral differentiation and all leaves may be yellow during fruit development if the problem is not corrected. Such deficiencies are very common on soils low in Mg, especially when intensely fertilized with K under conditions of high solar irradiation.

The optimum soil level of Mg should be > 100 mg/kg (neutral ammonium acetate extraction) at planting time. Deficiency symptoms are observed when soil Mg is below 10 mg/kg.

The first symptoms are development of interveinal chlorosis; the leaves are generally flaccid, wide, and yellow with a green mottling. The fruits on plants with severe Fe deficiencies will be small, hard and reddish in colour with a chlorotic crown. Symptoms can appear when large quantities of nitrate have been added.

Iron deficiency can occur under in soils with high pH, soils rich in manganese with lox pH compacted soils, areas of termite infestation and attack by pests both of which rapidly decrease root activity, and drought.

Deficiency symptoms are often not very characteristic: the plant can present marbled leaves with pale green areas, especially where the veins are located.

Mn deficiency occurs and visual symptoms become clearly visible when the Fe:Mn ratio in the leaf tissue is greater than 10.5.

The symptoms are present in the center cluster of leaves, which become mildly to sharply curved. The surfaces in older leaves develop yellowish brown pinhead sized dashes coalescing to form elevated, blister-like spots.

Plants presenting Zn deficiency, like Ca deficient plants, tend to remain continuously vegetative. Zn deficiency is distinguished from Ca deficiency by the curved central leaves and the presence of blisters on the leaf surfaces.

Boron plays an important role in forming and strengthening cell walls, therefore a lack of boron in the plant will generate fruit cracking followed by corking at fruitlet margins. Other symptoms include death of the tips of the youngest leaves, with some serrations on the margins, while with severe deficiency the growing point will die.

There is a relationship between B and Ca as a consequence of deficiency of both these elements in the disruption of cell development.

The leaves in deficient plants are also narrow and the “U” shape in cross section is more distinct than for normal leaves.

Each litre of Thio-Sul provides approximately 160 g of nitrogen and 346 g of sulfur, delivering a concentrated and efficient source of both nutrients. Its liquid formulation is easy to handle and integrates readily into modern crop nutrition programmes across a wide range of crops and production systems.

By supplying nitrogen and thiosulfate sulfur together, Thio-Sul helps maintain an appropriate nitrogen-to-sulfur balance, supports protein formation and promotes more efficient use of applied nitrogen. Its sulfur becomes available progressively as thiosulfate is converted in the soil, helping support crop nutrition throughout key growth stages.

Thio-Sul can be applied through irrigation systems, banded, broadcast, injected into the soil or incorporated into compatible liquid fertiliser blends. This application flexibility makes it a practical solution for improving sulfur nutrition and complementing nitrogen fertilisation.

By combining both orthophosphate and polyphosphate phosphorus, P-Sure delivers immediately available phosphorus while maintaining phosphorus availability after application. Its excellent physical stability, low salting-out temperature and long storage life make P-Sure an ideal foundation for modern liquid fertilizer programmes.
 

P-Sure promotes rapid root development, vigorous early crop establishment and efficient nutrient uptake during the critical stages of plant growth. The polyphosphate fraction also helps maintain the availability of micronutrients such as zinc, iron and manganese, supporting balanced nutrition and improved crop performance.

P-Sure is highly compatible with many liquid fertilizers, except calcium-containing products, and is ideal for starter fertilizers, fertigation and custom liquid blends. It combines particularly well with KTS® to produce efficient liquid NPKS formulations, providing growers with a flexible solution for precision crop nutrition.

SoluPotasse provides potassium and sulfur without nitrogen or chloride, allowing both nutrients to be managed independently within the crop nutrition programme. Its fine crystalline form dissolves rapidly and completely, making it suitable for demanding fertigation applications.

Potassium supports water-use regulation, enzyme activation, carbohydrate transport and crop quality, while sulfur contributes to protein formation and nutrient metabolism. SoluPotasse is particularly useful when crops require additional potassium but no further nitrogen, including during fruit, tuber and grain development.

SoluPotasse can be applied through fertigation and other systems designed for fully soluble fertilisers. Its low-chloride, nitrogen-free composition makes it well suited to chloride-sensitive crops, saline growing conditions and fertilisation programmes requiring precise control of nitrogen and potassium inputs.

Each litre of KTS supplies approximately 360 g of potash and 252 g of sulfur, providing a highly concentrated source of soluble potassium and sulfur. Its nitrate-free and chloride-free formulation allows potassium to be supplied without adding unnecessary nitrogen or chloride.

Potassium supports water regulation, enzyme activity, carbohydrate transport and the development of crop yield and quality, while sulfur contributes to protein and enzyme formation. KTS is particularly valuable during periods of rapid growth, reproductive development and crop filling, when potassium requirements can increase substantially.

KTS can be used through fertigation, in starter or side-dress programmes, in compatible liquid fertiliser blends and as a foliar treatment on selected crops. Its versatility allows potassium and sulfur to be delivered at critical stages within a wide range of crop nutrition programmes.

Each litre of CaTs supplies approximately 75 g of calcium and 125 g of sulfur, providing both nutrients in a fully soluble liquid form. CaTs combines crop nutrition with soil-management benefits and can be incorporated into a broad range of fertilisation programmes.

Calcium contributes to cell-wall strength, root development and the structural integrity of growing plant tissues, while sulfur supports protein and enzyme formation. A consistent calcium supply is especially important during periods of rapid vegetative growth and fruit development, helping support crop quality, firmness and marketability.

CaTs can be applied through irrigation systems, banded, broadcast or blended with compatible liquid fertilisers. It may also be used as a soil amendment to provide soluble calcium, support soil aggregation and water infiltration, and help manage the effects of excess sodium in saline or sodic soils.

The chloride-free, nitrogen-free formulation of GranuPotasse provides an efficient source of potassium and sulfur, making it ideal for chloride-sensitive crops and high-value production systems. The uniform, free-flowing granules ensure accurate spreading, easy handling and consistent field performance.

By supplying potassium and sulfur in readily available forms, GranuPotasse supports water regulation, enzyme activation, carbohydrate transport and protein synthesis, helping improve crop yield, quality and marketability. It is particularly beneficial for fruit, vegetable and other high-value crops where crop quality, storage life and export potential are essential.

GranuPotasse® is suitable for pre-plant, basal and in-season applications and can be broadcast, banded or incorporated into the soil. It also blends readily with many granular fertilizers, providing growers with a flexible solution for balanced potassium and sulfur nutrition across a wide range of cropping systems.