Mauritius (Vazhakulam)
The dominant cultivar of Kerala, grown on about 95% of the Vazhakulam belt and carrying a GI tag as "Vazhakulam Pineapple" — a medium fruit of about 1–1.6 kg in red- and yellow-skinned forms, medium sweet, for table and processing.
Quick facts
- Type
- Sucker / slip (clonal cultivar)
- Season
- All seasons
- Maturity period
- Plant crop ~15–18 months
- Expected yield
- 25–35 t/ha
- Suitable soil
- Well-drained sandy loam or laterite, strongly acidic (pH 5.0–6.0)
- Release
- The traditional cultivar of the Vazhakulam belt; "Vazhakulam Pineapple" holds a GI tag
About this variety
Mauritius, known locally as the Vazhakulam variety, is the dominant pineapple of Kerala — it occupies about 95% of the Vazhakulam belt in Ernakulam and Kottayam districts, and the "Vazhakulam Pineapple" carries a Geographical Indication (GI) tag. The fruit is medium, about 1–1.6 kg, in red-skinned and yellow-skinned forms, medium sweet, and suited to both the fresh table and processing. Growers in the belt routinely use ethrel flower induction to programme the crop into the higher-price off-season. It is propagated from suckers and slips.
Key characteristics
Yield & maturity
Maturity period
Plant crop ~15–18 months
Expected yield
25–35 t/ha
Actual yield depends on sowing time, soil, irrigation, weather, seed quality and crop management.
Pest & disease considerations
Major diseases
- No special resistance claimed
Advantages & considerations
Why farmers may choose it
- The established, GI-tagged Kerala cultivar with a ready market
- Medium fruit suited to both the table and processing
- Flowers earlier than Kew; well matched to ethrel off-season programming
Things to consider
- Lower yield than Kew; no special disease resistance
- Needs the strongly acid, well-drained soil pineapple demands, and mealybug/ant control
Suitable regions
States this variety is recommended for — check locally, since a state can have more than one recommended zone.
- Kerala
- Karnataka