Blackheart resistance in three clones of pineapple [Ananas comosus (L.) Merr.] in subtropical Queensland

Abstract

Summary. Smooth Cayenne Queensland clone 13, and intergroup hybrids 53-116 and 73-50 were harvested in mid July 1994 and evaluated for blackheart resistance. Relative to C13, hybrids 73-50 and 53-116 had some level of field resistance to blackheart but only 53-116 was without blackheart after storage at 10°C for 14 days followed by 20°C for 8 days. Hybrid 53-116 had a high vitamin C content compared with clone 13. However, 73-50 had the highest level of vitamin C but still developed blackheart, although the symptoms were not as severe as C13. This indicates that factors other than vitamin C may play a role in blackheart resistance. The level of field resistance to blackheart shown by 73-50 may be sufficient for winter production in some sites in south-east Queensland. Field testing is needed to determine the value of this resistance.