Selection and use recommendation in hybrids of ornamental pineapple

The use of pineapples as ornamental plants has increased in the last years due to their beauty and originality, demanding the generation of new varieties. The objective of the present work was to study the genetic variability and type of use of hybrids as ornamental pineapples, besides evaluating the resistance of these hybrids to Fusarium wilt. Six progenies, FRF-22 X FRF-1387, FRF-1392 X FRF-32, Curaua Roxo X Ananas Tricolor, G-44 X FRF-1387, FRF-1392 X FRF-224 and FRF-1387 X FRF-224, were evaluated by eleven morphological descriptors, and five categories of use were taken into account: landscaping plants, cut flower, potted plants, minifruits and foliage. High variability within and between progenies was detected, which allowed the selection of 16 hybrids as cut flowers, 17 as landscaping plants, four as minifruits, two as potted plants and just three as foliage. Fourteen of them were recorded for more than one type of use. For resistance to the Fusarium, out of the 31 hybrids evaluated, 11 presented resistance, 17 were moderately resistant and three were susceptible.