EFFECT OF ETHREL ON FLOWERING INDUCTION IN PINEAPPLE (ANANAS COMOSUS (L.) MERR.) SMOOTH CAYENNE CV. SERRANA. I. CHANGES IN LEVELS OF POLYAMINES, PROTEINS AND CARBOHYDRATES

Floral induction in plants is, up to today, a paradigm in the development of the physiology. The following investigation was carried out with the objective to elucidate the effect of the applications of Ethrel on the behaviour of some biochemical indicators such as proteins, carbohydrates and polyamines in pineapple plants (Ananas comosus (L) Merr. cv Smooth Cayenne cv. Serrana). The Ethrel caused increments in levels of proteins in buds treated at 60 hours, while the carbohydrates reached the higher concentrations between 48 and 60 hours. The role of polyamines was demonstrated in the floral induction process. Putrescine reached the highest values in plants treated with this plant growth regulator.