A review of common diseases of pineapple: the causal pathogens, disease symptoms, and available control measures

Abstract

Pineapple is a perennial fruit-bearing tropical plant that belongs to the Bromeliaceae family, which has more than 2500 species. Pineapple is known excellent source of minerals and vitamins. It produces substantial calcium, potassium, glucose, the proteindigesting enzyme bromelain, fibre, vitamin A, B and C. In Malaysia, twelve registered varieties of pineapple have been introduced and commercially planted such as Moris (AC1), Sarawak (AC2), Gandul (AC3), Maspine (AC4), Josapine (AC5) Yankee (AC6) Moris Gajah (AC7), N36 (AC8), MD2 (AC9), View of Sunset (AC10), Madu Kaca (AC11), and Keningau Diamond (AC12). The disease is one of the important factors that can contribute to the huge losses of pineapple yield worldwide. This review paper aimed to discuss the main diseases of pineapple and their control management, particularly in Malaysia. The common diseases of pineapple that cause significant yield losses in the farms such as mealybug wilt-associated virus, bacterial heart rot, fruit collapse, butt rot, fruitlet core rot, black rot, yeasty and fusariosis are highlighted and discussed in detail on the causal pathogens, disease symptoms and signs, disease infection and development. The available control measures for managing pineapple diseases were also included in this paper.