Organic production.

Abstract While there is a considerable body of published literature on organic farming, there is little dedicated to pineapple. A recent publication of note, La Piña, reviews organic production of pineapple. Also, Embrapa has recently made available recommendations for organic production of pineapple in Brazil based upon studies in the Chapada Diamantina region, a tropical highland of the State of Bahia. This chapter discusses the specifications and certifications for organic production of pineapple; the organic cultural systems, focusing on integrated pest, disease and weed management; spatial organization of the plots; plant nutrition; flower initiation; pre-harvest fruit treatments; harvesting; and postharvest systems. Organic production of pineapple is feasible but most easily on a small scale in a mixed cropping situation. Government, consumer and grower interest is, however, increasing and this can only help to encourage further research in this field.