LEAF GAS EXCHANGE OF PINEAPPLE AS INFLUENCED BY FRUIT

‘Smooth Cayenne’ pineapple plants were propagated from suckers and grown in containers for leaf gas exchange studies. Following natural flowering and fruit development, net CO₂ exchange was measured in the leaves within the crown, slips, and the main plant throughout diel cycles. Maximum net CO₂ exchange of leaves on the main plant was 0.44 μmol∙m^-2∙s^-1 and did not differ among vegetative plants, flowering plants, and plants supporting fruits. Maximum net CO₂ exchange of crown leaves was 4.39 μmol∙m^-2∙s^-1 and that of slip leaves was 3.99 μmol∙m^-2∙s^-1. The results indicate leaves subtending pineapple fruits do not increase in carbon assimilation during fruit growth as do leaves of other fruit species. Based on these gas exchange data, crown leaves may satisfy most of the carbon requirements of the developing pineapple fruit on intact plants.