FLOWERING INDUCTION AND YIELD OF PINEAPPL E CV SMOOTH CAYENNE

The experiment was carried out in Porto Lucena, RS, Brazil, aiming at evaluating the effect of the induction of flowering of pineapple plant s Ananas comosus (L.) Merr. cv. Smooth Cayenne at differente ages on y ield and fruit size. The planting was performed in April, 1988, using slips weighing 200 g., in double rows with spacing of 0,90 x 0,40 x 0, 45 m (34.180 plants/ha). The experimental design was a randomized bloc k with four treatments (plants with 19, 20, 21 and 22 months of age af ter planting) and four replicates, using 20 plants/plot. As flowering agent, 50 cc solution of 20 ml of Ethephon plus 200 g urea/10 l water were used. Results showed no differences among treatments on flowering percentage, mean fruit weight, with and without crown, yield, fruit l ength and basal, medium and apex diameter. Crown weight decreased as f lower inductions was delayed.