Germplasm collection and hybridization of pineapple

The existing germplasm collection of varieties and clones was augmented at the Inst. of Plant Breeding (IPB) [College, Laguna, Philippines] for use in hybridization work. Genetic materials were collected from the cultivated areas in the country and abroad. The collections were characterized to identify accessions with good fruit qualities and horticultural traits. Findings showed that a total of 101 pineapple accessions, consisting of 81 local and 20 foreign accessions (Ananas comosus), were collected. Out of these collections, 18 were of `Smooth Cayenne' type, 10 were of `Queen' type, 10 were of `Red Spanish' type, and 57 were a mixture of unclassified hybrids and other types such as `Mordilona', `Pernambuco', and `Perolera'. In addition to A. comosus collections, three other Ananas species were collected: A. ananasoides, A. lucidus, and A. bracteatus. A. lucidus is a species used by the Indians in South America as source of Cordage. Germplasm evaluation revealed some interesting pineapple collections: Acc 21 (GU85) is a spineless `Spanish' type, has good fruit morphology, but its leaf fiber quality has yet to be assessed. Acc 12 and Acc 48 (3179) are good `Smooth Cayenne' clones that should be propagated and distributed to interested pineapple growers; Acc 11 and Acc 33 (`Pernambuco' type) and Acc 16 (`Perolera' type) may be tried in the highlands since they are known to grow well in higher elevations. Acc 16 has high Vitamin C content. The `Red Spanish' collections had inferior qualities that will require a lot of improvement through breeding. While the `Queen' had excellent fruit qualities, but its spiny leaf character is a negative trait that should be bred out. Two promising hybrids were identified, namely, 92-1 and 91-1 from crosses `Smooth Cayenne' x `Queen' and `Queen' x `Smooth Cayenne', respectively. The hybrids have the sweet, top-to-bottom deep yellow flesh of `Queen' with less spiny leaves but the fruits were small. However, fruit weight can be further improved by good cultural practices. Three somaclonal variants were also identified: two less spiny `Queen', which maintains the typical `Queen' fruit characters, and one variegated `Smooth Cayenne', which can be used as an ornamental plant