Information
Is there as sustainable system for pineapple farming?
Level 1 General description
Purpose:
This study monitored hydrology and soil erosion over a range of slope lengths (rows) (88-180 m lengths) and treatment practices to identify parameters to design sustainable production systems in pineapple farming.
Methods (brief)
Six main treatments were implemented, including:
- Convention farming system;
- Plants in furrows at 12 m spacing;
- Tied ridges with plants on every third ridge;
- Tied ridges;
- Continuous mulch in furrows; and
- Roadways lined with green artificial turf and planted with stoloniferous grasses.
Key findings (brief)
Soil loss was greatest during the first twelve months in all treatments. The mulch treatments recorded the least amount of soil loss (0.3-0.4 t/ha).
Location
David Vaughan’s pineapple research farm is located in Central Coast Queensland, Yeppoon.
Related studies
Buchanan's farm at Goomboorian is Lat 26° 3’ 26.97’’S, Long 152° 47’ 39.71’’E
Ray Walker’s farm at Imbil is Lat 26° 27’ 42.59’’S, Lon 152° 40’ 42.45’’E
Beerwah Pineapple Research Farm Lat 26° 56’ 0.17’’S, Long 152° 57’ 18.97’’E
Capelin MA, Truong PN 1985. Soil erosion within pineapple fields in south-east Queensland.