Purpose: Pineapple (Ananas comosus L.) is a tropical fruit of significant economic importance worldwide. The cultivation of this crop is influenced by various factors, including the growth media, which directly affect plant growth, yield, and fruit quality. Therefore, selecting the appropriate growth medium is crucial for achieving optimal pineapple production. Research method: This study was conducted over four years and evaluated five growing medium treatments: 1) a control consisting of field soil, sand, and animal manure; 2) peat moss and perlite; 3) peat moss, perlite, and sand; 4) cocopeat and perlite; and 5) cocopeat, perlite, and sand. Each treatment was replicated three times, with six pots per replicate, arranged in a randomized complete block design under a shade system with drip irrigation in Chabahar, located in Sistan and Baluchestan province, Iran. Findings: The results indicated that the cocopeat, perlite, and sand mixture significantly outperformed the other treatments in terms of vegetative growth and yield. The fruit weights with crown for the main plant and ratoon grown in this medium were 1208 and 851 g, respectively, with corresponding yields of 101,173 and 62,240 kg/ha, respectively. A combination of cocopeat, perlite, and sand has proven to be the optimal growth medium for pineapple cultivation. Research limitations: No limitations were found. Originality/Value: This study demonstrated that this specific mixture significantly enhanced vegetative growth, fruit yield, and overall plant health compared with the other tested media. These results suggest that this growing medium can be effectively used for pineapple production in a controlled environment.
Saboki et al. (Mon,) studied this question.