Comparative effect of organic and mineral foliar fertilizers on vegetative growth of vitroplants of Ananas comosus (L.) acclimatized under shade in Southern Bénin

Abstract

In Benin, despite the importance of pineapple sector, it is faced with a heterogeneity of morphotypes observed within the same plantation, which negatively impacts the marketability of the products. Furthermore, the multiplication of pineapple shoots by biotechnology (vitroplants) is a technique which guarantees varietal purity and the production of healthy pineapple shoots. After the production of the vitroplants in the laboratory, they were seeded in the greenhouse before being hardened under a shade. In order to ensure good vegetative growth of vitroplants during acclimatization under shade, the study was carried out to compare the effect of different types of organic and foliar fertilizer applied at different doses. Therefore, a trial was set up at the Niaouli research station in the commune of Allada in southern Benin using a experimental complete randomized block design consisting of five treatments. The factors studied were organic fertilizer from laying hens’ droppings and mineral foliar fertilizer (NPK 14-6-5). Growth data such as number of leaves, leaf length and width D with collar diameter, were collected. Analysis of variance was carried out and the Student Newman Keuls test at 5% was performed to compare the means. The results showed that treatments T1: ½ dose undergrowth compost and ½ dose poultry droppings (5.42 ± 0.15 cm) and T4: 25 ml foliar fertilizer and undergrowth compost (5.54 ± 0.15 cm) 0.56 cm) induced the most vigorous plants (p>0.05) as well as the highest numbers of pineapple leaves. The rational use of foliar and organic fertilizers promoted good development of pineapple shoots. Thus, organic and foliar fertilizers can be used as a substrate in the acclimatization process of pineapple vitroplants under shade.