(Kluang) Night farming is one way that the Malaysian Pineapple Industry Board (LPNM) is exploring to increase the production of pineapples in Malaysia.

A team of officers from LPNM and its chairman Sheikh Omar Ali visited Annas Premium Sdn Bhd in Desaru, Kota Tinggi to follow-up on the 53 acres of 160 acres of MD2 pineapple plantation which adopted night farming approach four months ago.

Fertilisers were applied at night, including clearing of grass, said Sheikh Omar in a statement

David Lu, the general manager of Annas Premium Sdn Bhd, said pineapples are classified as Crassulation Acid Metabolism Plants like cactus where the plants produce food at night.

Pineapples are able to absorb 70% of nutrients through stomata on the leaves and 30% through its roots.

The stomata open widely at night and pineapple is active at night for the same reason, he said.

“Pineapple works at night and rests during the day when photosynthesis is ongoing,’’ said Lu.

Applying fertilisers at night offer pineapples longer period of time (6pm to 6am) to absorb the nutrients.

If fertilisers are applied during the day, by 11am the stomata are shut due to the scorching heat.

As a result, night farming will speed up the process of growth for pineapples.

Plantation workers are more efficient working at night due to cooler weather and less tiring, he said.

LPNM is keen to cooperate with pineapple plantations keen to explore night farming to increase production, said Sheikh Omar.

Currently, the demand for pineapples is high especially for export but the supply is low, he said.

Malaysia exports pineapples to Singapore, China, Germany, Middle East and other countries.

“Demand can go as high as 4,000 containers but we can only supply 800, “ he said.

Local consumption of pineapples also increased from 8kg per head to 12 kg per head, he said.