Why Do My Pineapples Look Sickly?

Are there water-soaked lesions on the white basal sections of leaves in the central whorl which may spread to all leaves in the central whorl?

Are there any black rot at the seed piece or the fruit, small brown, wet spots may be present on the leaves?

Are there any yellow to red or very dark brown discoloration of fruit flesh, infected tissues develop a granular texture with woody consistency and speckled color?

Are the leaves turning red, with their tips withering and browning, plants can be easily removed from the soil?

are the young leaves failing to elongate and turning chlorotic, heart leaves are wilting and turning brown, terminal whorl can be easily pulled from mother plant?

Bacterial heart rot and fruit collapse is a disease caused by Erwinia chrysanthemi. The disease is thought to be spreading from the juices of infected fruits. Ants act as vectors for the bacteria. Remove and destroy infected fruits. Don't use infected crowns for seed material. The use of miticides and control of ants can significantly reduce disease incidence.

A fungus Chalara paradoxa causes several diseases of pineapples - Butt rot, Black rot, and White leaf spot. This fungus survives in soil and pineapple residue and infects plants through fresh wounds. Freshly removed seed material should be dipped in an appropriate fungicide within 12 hours of removal from the mother plant. Avoiding bruising and wounding of fruit during harvest helps to reduce black rot.

These symptoms indicate bacterial disease - Marbling. Symptoms develop during the last month of fruit maturation. The emergence of the disease is favored by warm and wet weather. There are currently no methods of controlling the disease. The pineapple variety Smooth Cayenne appears to be moderately resistant to the disease.

Mealybug wilt is a viral disease transmitted by mealybugs. Ants protect mealybug populations from predators and parasites and can allow mealybugs populations to reach very damaging levels if left uncontrolled. Ants should be controlled with an appropriate insecticide.

These symptoms indicate Phytophthora heart and root rot. Other symptoms include water-soaked tissue at the base of leaves and foul smell. Planting in raised beds helps to drain the soil and reduces the incidence of the disease. Mulch from pineapple debris should be avoided. Pre-planting dips and foliar applications of Fosetyl Al are very effective at controlling the disease.

Pineapple mealybugs are flattened oval to round disc-like insects covered in a waxy substance. These insects attract ants which may also be present. You can control them by washing them off the plant with water spray. Insecticidal soap should be used with severe infestations.