Scientists research 'super' pineapple

Scientists research 'super' pineapple

KUALA LUMPUR (AFP): Malaysian and Australian scientists have teamed up to develop a super pineapple which could save the industry millions of dollars annually, officials said yesterday.

They want to eliminate blackheart and crown deterioration, two major post-harvest problems affecting the pineapple industries in both countries.

"Scientists have begun research on the project which uses gene technology in the search to control blackheart in pineapples and crown deterioration," the Australian High Commission here said in a statement.

The A$900,000 (US$704,500) project is funded by the Australian Center for International Agricultural Research. It resulted from a memorandum signed last August between both governments.