Sweet success: (From left) Ahmad with Zahari and Mohamad Zabawi harvesting the new MS16 hybrid pineapple at the Pontian Mardi Station. — Bernama
PETALING JAYA: A new high-quality hybrid pineapple, known as the MS16, has been introduced by the Malaysian Agricultural Research and Development Institute (Mardi).
Mardi director-general Datuk Dr Mohamad Zabawi Abdul Ghani said the initiative to develop this new variety of pineapple follows the high per capita consumption of pineapples among Malaysians, which is at 12.2kg per year, against the backdrop of low import dependency rate (IDR) of 0.2%.
“This new pineapple hybrid is the result of the collaboration of the Mardi germplasm exchange in 1993 with Maroochy Horticultural Station in Nambour, Queensland, Australia, which led to the introduction of the thornless pineapple variety to Malaysia, which was then crossed with the Josapine pineapple to produce a local hybrid variety.
“It involved more than 20 years of research to produce the best hybrid for use in the country’s fresh pineapple market,” he said in a statement.
The launch of the new MS16 pineapple hybrid was officiated by Pontian MP Datuk Seri Ahmad Maslan, who is also the Deputy Works Minister, on Dec 17, 2023, at Pontian Mardi Station.
Also present was Johor state exco member Datuk Zahari Sarip.
Mohamad Zabawi added that the MS16 pineapple hybrid showed the best performance in terms of fruit size and the production of tendrils (a slender threadlike appendage of a plant that helps it to support itself), while also tolerant to bacterial heart rot disease.
“Based on a study of consumer acceptance and tendency, MS16 is comparable to the MD2 pineapple variety in terms of taste quality, because the MS16 has a special characteristic, which is a sweet fruit taste with a sweetness value of 16% to 21% Brix; the filling is yellowish in colour, with the overall fruit quite crunchy in feel, accompanied by a good aroma.
“However, the MS16 can be stored for a period of around seven days at low temperature (10°C) and five days at ambient temperature (25°C), which allows it to be marketed in the local market as fresh pineapple and processed products such as juice,” he said.
He also said the production of many tendrils and thornless leaves was also expected to be a pull factor for growers as it could be a cost savings for production and farm maintenance.
“In addition, the MS16 can also be planted in mineral soil which can help increase the area of pineapple cultivation in the country, which is currently more concentrated in peatland areas.
“This will simultaneously help increase productivity and new sources of income for pineapple growers, as well as contribute to the generation of the national economy,” he said.
Mohamad Zabawi added the demand for the MS16 pineapple tendrils (the part that is used as a planting material) had been very high since it was launched.
Growers and pineapple enthusiasts wishing to get their hands on this new variety can contact Mardi Pontian at 07-687 1121/1122.
