ASIDE from the Queen Pineapple which is known for its sweet fruit and sturdy leaves, the Department of Agriculture (DA) has introduced two new varieties of pineapple from Davao and Bukidnon to farmers in Camarines Norte.
The pineapple varieties, namely Ulam and MD-2 hybrid pineapple from Davao and Bukidnon respectively, were formally introduced last month by the DA-operated Camarines Norte Lowland Rainfed Research Station (CNLRRS) based in Barangay Calasgasan in Daet.
CNLRRS Supt. Bella Frias said the Ulam variety has spiny leaves similar to Queen Pineapple and is known to produce very sweet fruit with edible core.
The MD-2 hybrid variety has similar plant stand with the spineless smooth cayenne or Hawaiian variety but is said to produce sweeter fruit with no aftertaste when eaten. This variety is now being planted in Honduras and Mexico.
Frias said the pineapple varieties were tested under the soils and climatic conditions of Camarines Norte using different production methods that included medium density, low fertilizer planting techniques of farmers; the high density, medium fertilizer best practices for Queen Pineapple; and the high density, high fertilizer rate of Mindanao growers.
Inocencio Obrero, former senior agriculturist and agricultural program coordinating officer, said he started field trials of the two pineapple varieties in October 2013 with funding support from the Bureau of Plant Industry.
He said Agriculture Secretary Proceso J. Alcala had deemed it necessary to introduce the new varieties of pineapple from Mindanao in response to claims that the yield of the Camarines Norte’s Queen Pineapple, or Formosa, is diminishing as farmers are planting only one variety.
“Ulam and MD-2 variety can be grown under the soil and climatic condition of Camarines Norte using the local farmers’ practices or the best agricultural practices for the Queen Pineapple,” Obrero said.
“However, only the MD-2 variety is ready for commercialization and distribution to farmers as the intellectual property rights of the Ulam variety is still under negotiations,” he added.
The Ulam variety was developed and registered by Dr. Juan C. Acosta of Bukidnon, whose pineapple plantation is in Davao.
Meanwhile, Frias said that CNLRRS has been producing suckers of MD-2 variety and interested farmers can avail themselves of the said planting materials from the research station at minimum cost.