GI Registration

Vazhakulam pineapple belongs to Queen Cultivar suited for table purpose.

Pineapple cultivation in Kerala is not recorded properly. But records revealed that Vazhakulam market was established as a pineapple market only from 1945 onwards. In the book “Vazhakulamorucharitraveekshanam” (Malayalam) (History of Vazhakulam) published by Sri. O.M.Varghese, Olickal in 1985, it is stated that pineapple is controlling the Vazhakulam market since 1945.

Soil and climate Pineapple can be grown in well drained slightly acidic soil. It prefers goodsunlight than shaded condition. However it can be grown in well spaced coconutplantations where it gets filtered light. In the initial three years of rubberplantations, the shade is practically nil, hence pineapple can be grown in rubber asan intercrop during its initial three years of life. Places getting summer showers,apart from rainy seasons, and having high humidity are good for pineapplecultivation. If there is irrigation facility, irrigation can be given in summermonths.

Pineapple is propagated through suckers.Planting and Land preparation

Main planting season is April-May and August-September months. However,planting can also be done throughout the year except during the heavy continuousrainy period in June- July, if irrigation facility is available. Ploughing or diggingthe soil at a depth of 30 cm is done initially. Planting is done in paired rows with aspacing of 45 cm between rows and 30 cm between plants in a row. Spacingbetween paired rows is 150 cm.

Pure Crop:

Prepares the land by digging the area to be planted at 90 cm width in rows/ strips,leaving the interspaces undisturbed. However, ploughing can be adopted in levelland. Planting is done in paired rows of 45 cm distance between rows and 30 cmbetween suckers. Suckers may be planted in triangular method in the paired rows.Inter space between the paired rows is kept at 150 cm. Counter planting may beadopted in sloppy areas.

Intercropping in coconut garden: Land preparation, spacing and planting are thesame as described above. There can be three paired- rows in between two rows ofcoconut. Intercropping in rubber plantation: System of planting is in paired rowsat 45 x 30 cm. There will be only one paired row of pineapple in between tworows of rubber.

Pineapple is highly sensitive to water stagnation and high moisture regimes.Hence it is important to provide good drainage, if grown in wet lands. In paddylands, pineapple is planted in paired rows at 45 x 30 cm spacing on ridges taken at60-90 cm height, depending on the water table and drainage requirement. Theridges are separated by drainage channels having 60 cm width. The width of theridges varies from 120-150 cm. wherever water stagnation and poor drainage areexpected, a wider and deeper channels is given in between ridges.

The suckers will be graded into small, large etc and uniform suckers are planted separately so as to facilitate uniform management. Suckers are selected fromdisease and pest free healthy plants. Suckers are to be graded into those having500-750 g and 750-1000 g. The graded suckers are planted in different blocks orplots, to get uniformity in growth and flowering. Bigger sucker give early yield.

At the time of planting, about 500 g of dried cowdung and 20 g of rock phosphateis applied in pits. There after, N and K are applied within 40-50 days of planting@ 2 g each per plant. This dose is repeated two more times at an interval of 50-60 days. The fourth dose is applied 70-80 days after ethephon application foruniform flowering. Urea and Muriate of Potash is used as source of N and K.

Weeds are controlled either by hand weeding or by application of weedicide. Ifhand weeding is practiced, weeds are removed as and when required. Whenweedicides are used, the first application is done within 30 days of planting. Asolution of Diurone @ 2g per litre of water is prepared and sprayed in moist soil.Care is taken so that weedicides do not fall on the pineapple plant. There after,weeds are controlled in interspaces by spraying Paraquat solution by mixing 4 mlof the formulation in one litre water. Extreme care is taken so that the weedcidesdo not fall on pineapple. Weeds are controlled within rows by hand weeding.

Diseases- Heart rot and root rot are the important diseases observed for whichdrenching of plant base with Mancozeb @ 2 g per litre of water is followed.Pests- Mealy bug is the main pest observed for which drenching of root zone withchlorpyriphos @ 2.5 ml per litre of water is followed.

For the uniform flowering of pineapple, 25 ppm of ethephon is applied inphysiologically mature plant. The plant will attain this growth normally by 7-8months after planting. The fruits will be harvested according to the requirementof the market. Green fruits for distant markets are harvested at the stage of 120-125 days after ethephon application. Ripe fruits for nearby markets will beharvested at 130 days after ethephon application.

After the first year harvest, earthing up will be done and the crop will bemaintained for two more years as a ratoon crop during this period 2 more harvestswill be taken.

Average weight expected is 1.5- 2 Kg for first year; 1.2-1.5 Kg duringsecond year; 800 g -1 Kg during third year.

 Vazhakulam pineapple surpasses all owing to its characteristics such as delicioustaste and unique aroma and flavour. The flesh is golden yellow and crisp. Thefruit juice is having 14-160 Brix and its acidity is 0.50 – 0.70%.

 It is a good source of carotene, vitamins minerals and energy.

 The unique and complex combination of agro-climatic conditions prevailing inthe region, pineapple produced in the said region are having distinctive andnaturally occurring characteristics, which have won the patronage and recognitionof discerning consumers all over Kerala, India and world. If it is grown in someother regions the characteristic qualities get diluted and affect the keeping quality.

 Low pest and disease incidence and hence less chemical pesticide used. Farmersare following cultivation practices as per FLO Standards which does not permitthe use of chemical pesticides banned by World Health Organization. Thisindicates that Vazhakulam pineapples are almost free from Hazardous chemicals.

 Kerala Agricultural University (KAU) has agreed to be the inspection Body toregulate the quality standard parameters of the application.

 The method of production and cultivation practices are strictly followed as per the standard package of practices recommended by KeralaAgricultural University(KAU) and cultivation practices as per FLO Standards