NATIVE PINEAPPLE (ANANAS COMOSUS L.) POTENTIAL AS AN ORGANIC CROP IN NAYARIT,MEXICO

Pineapple is an important crop in Mexico, with 14,000 hectares under cultivation with the Smooth Cayenne type mainly in the states of Veracruz and Oaxaca. However, there is a high potential for this crop all along the Pacific coast, from Sinaloa to Chiapas. In Nayarit, two types of pineapple are grown: Smooth Cayenne and Criolla (a native species). The first is cultivated on approximately 300 hectares in the municipality of Compostela, while the Criolla type is grown on approximately 700 hectares in the Ruiz and Santiago Ixcuintla municipalities. Criolla pineapple is grown as a perennial crop under the shadow of native legume trees with almost no pesticide application. The agro-ecological conditions under which Criolla pineapple is grown are flat deep soils with a low to neutral acidity. The topography is irregular with 10-25% slopes. These soils have light textures and are well drained. The annual rain average is 1,800mm with a mean temperature of 24-26ºC. There are no hailstorms or freezes. The altitude is 100-400m above sea level. All these conditions make it possible to grow Criolla pineapple as an organic crop. However, there are still some restrictions. Farmers must be better organized and trained in organic crop production and in certification procedures. They must also have access to research and technical assistance to increase the yield, quality and productivity of this native pineapple type.