PERFORMANCE OF 'VITORIA' PINEAPPLE IN RESPONSE TO HUMIC ACID APPLICATION DURING ACCLIMATIZATION

The acclimatization of pineapple plantlets propagated by plant tissue culture is slow. The intensification of root growth by the use of humic acids may be useful during this process. The aim of this study was to evaluate the greenhouse acclimatization of 'Vitoria' pineapple propagated by plant tissue culture in response to different doses of humic acids isolated from vermicompost and filter cake. Leaf anatomy, photosynthetic pigment content, shoot and root growth, and leaf nutrients were evaluated. An increase ingrowth and development of shoots and root system with the application of humic acids as well as a significant accumulation of N, P, K, Ca, and Mg and increase in the chlorophyll a / chlorophyll b ratio were found. Growth promotion by the application of humic acids to plantlets during the period of acclimatization can improve their adaptation to the ex vitro environmental conditions.