Abstract
Pineapple (Ananas comosus L. Merr) plants, cultivar 'Red Spanish', were grown in a greenhouse in 300-L containers, with soil from a banana plantation, and irrigated with saline and acid waters. Essential chemical soil characteristics were a pH of 6.9, electrical conductivity (EC) 1.26 dS m-1, and available nutrient status 188 ppm P, 11.95 meq (100-g)-1 Ca, 5.35 meq (100-g)-1 Mg, 3.96 meq (100-g)-1 K, and 2.17 meq (100-g)-1 Na. Irrigation water treatments consisted of control (tap water); 7, 14, 21, and 28 meq L-1 NaCl; 10, 15, 20, and 25 meq L-1 NaHCO3; and 75 meq L-1 H2SO4. Sodium chloride at levels of 14 meq L-1 and above in water affected fruit yield and quality adversely. Neither acid water nor bicarbonated waters had any effect on the fruit, except for the highest level of NaHCO3.
