In Brazil, relatively low planting densities have been used to obtain large fruits, with negative effects on pineapple crop yield. However, the international market, what may be followed by Brazilian consumers, is requiring smaller and smaller fruits. This work aimed in evaluating the effect of high densities in double row planting systems on the quantitative and qualitative production of Smooth Cayenne pineapple grown under rainfed conditions. Planting densities varying from 51.280 plants/ha to 100.000 plants/ha, were studied in a randomized blocks experimental design with five replications and 12 treatments in a factorial scheme of 4 x 3, corresponding to four combinations of spacing between double rows and between simple rows within double rows (90 x 40 cm, 90 x 30 cm, 80 x 30 cm, 70 x 30 cm), and to three spacing between plants within each row (30, 25 and 20 cm). The analyses of variance determined statistical difference only for the yield as a function of spacing between plants within the row, being the highest for 20 cm. Average fruit weight, dimensions and quality (sugars, acidity, juice content, sugar/acidity ratio) were not significantly influenced by the densities studied, keeping up the values within the cultivar's patterns. For each increasing of 10.000 plants/ha yield grew by 8.27 t/ha and average fruit weight dropped by 102 g. Under the environmental conditions of the Coastal Tableland of North Bahia, Brazil, the Smooth Cayenne pineapple crop showed good potential for the use of high planting densities, even under rainfed cultivation, being possible to get yield above 80t/ha and average fruit weight over 1,0 kg.
Ananas comosus (L.) Merrill; spacing; yield; fruit; quality
