GROWTH OF 'SUGARLOAF' PINEAPPLE ON MINE TAILINGS AMENDED WITH MINERAL SOIL AND PALM MESOCARP FIBER

An agroforestry trial was conducted at an ex-tin mine located at Tin Tailings Afforestation Center at Bidor. ‘Sugarloaf’ pineapple (Ananas comosus), the fruits of which are in high demand in the market, was planted in untreated sand tailings (control), or sand tailings amended with good mineral soil, oil palm mesocarp fiber or mineral soil and mesocarp fiber. At 18 months after planting pineapple plants grown in mineral soil treated plots had significantly greater leaf length and total leaf area than plants in the other treatments. Growth of plants in plots treated with mesocarp fiber was not different from those grown in mineral soil alone or on sand tailings (control). Plants grew significantly better in both mesocarp treatments than they did in the control plots. The results indicate that sand tailings treated with mesocarp fibers alone is more cost-effective as transportation of soils is an expensive endeavor in site preparation for pineapple growing.