agronom.info agronomy portal
Reference · Crops

Bromeliads

The Bromeliaceae family encompasses a vast array of tropical plants, with the pineapple (Ananas comosus) standing out as the most commercially significant species. These plants are biologically distinct due to their epiphytic or terrestrial nature and their specialized physiological adaptations to thrive in diverse tropical climates, often utilizing leaf axils as water reservoirs.

Main sections

Aechmea28 Pitcairnia26 Aechmea19 Billbergia10 Neoregelia9 Puya9 Guzmania8 Guzmania7 Cryptanthus5 Deuterocohnia5 Dyckia5 Neoregelia5 Quesnelia5 Brocchinia4 Hechtia4 Hohenbergia4 Pineapple4 Racinaea4 Orthophytum3 Alcantarea2
199 sections

What the section contains

Aechmea Aechmea Ruiz et Pav. 28 items Aechmea Aechmea 19 items Alcantarea Alcantarea 2 items Androlepis Androlepis 1 item Barfussia Barfussia 2 items Billbergia Billbergia Thunb. 1 item Billbergia Billbergia 10 items Blue Tillandsia Tillandsia caerulea Brocchinia Brocchinia 4 items Bromelia Bromelia L. Bromelia agavifolia Bromelia agavifolia Bromelia balansae Bromelia balansae Bromelia fastuosa Bromelia fastuosa Bromelia humilis Bromelia humilis Bromelia hybrids Bromelia hybrids Bromelia karatas Bromelia karatas Bromelia pinguin Bromelia pinguin Bulbous air plant Tillandsia bulbosa Canistrum Canistrum 2 items Catopsis Catopsis 2 items Cryptanthus Cryptanthus Otto et A. Dietr. 2 items Cryptanthus Cryptanthus 5 items Deuterocohnia Deuterocohnia 5 items Dyckia Dyckia 5 items Eduandrea Eduandrea 1 item Fascicularia Fascicularia 1 item Fernseea Fernseea 2 items Goudaea Goudaea 2 items Greigia Greigia 1 item Guzmania Guzmania Ruiz et Pav. 7 items Guzmania Guzmania 8 items Guzmania hybrid Guzmania x Tillandsia 1 item Hechtia Hechtia 4 items Hohenbergia Hohenbergia 4 items Navia Navia 1 item Neoglaziovia Neoglaziovia 1 item Neoregelia Neoregelia L.B. Sm. 9 items Neoregelia Neoregelia 5 items Nidularium Nidularium Nidularium billbergioides Nidularium billbergioides Nidularium burchellii Nidularium burchellii Nidularium correia-araujoi Nidularium correia-araujoi Nidularium fulgens Nidularium fulgens Nidularium hybrid Nidularium hybrids Nidularium innocentii Nidularium innocentii Nidularium lymanioides Nidularium lymanioides Nidularium procerum Nidularium procerum Ochagavia Ochagavia 1 item Orthophytum Orthophytum 3 items Pineapple Ananas Mill. 4 items Pineapple Ananas 1 item Pitcairnia Pitcairnia L’Hérit. 1 item Pitcairnia Pitcairnia 26 items Portea Portea Brongn. ex K. Koch 1 item Portea Portea 2 items Pseudalcantarea Pseudalcantarea 2 items Puya Puya 9 items Quesnelia Quesnelia 5 items Racinaea Racinaea 4 items Scaly-sepal tillandsia Tillandsia lepidosepala

Bromeliads

Native to the tropical regions of the Americas, bromeliads are now cultivated extensively throughout the equatorial belt. The global agricultural production is concentrated in regions that offer consistent temperatures, high humidity, and long daylight hours, which are essential for the maturation of their succulent fruits and foliage.

Botanically, these plants are identified by their rosette arrangement of leaves and their unique water-absorbing trichomes. Their root systems are often minimal, primarily serving for anchorage, while the plants draw the majority of their nutrients and water directly from the moisture trapped in their leaf rosettes or aerial roots.

Agricultural success depends on specific environmental parameters. High levels of light are required for development, coupled with well-draining, acidic growing media that prevents root rot. Maintaining an optimal balance of temperature and airflow is critical, as stagnant air can lead to the rapid proliferation of pathogens in the dense foliage.

Commercially, bromeliads are vital for the fruit industry, fiber production, and the global ornamental plant trade. Farmers must remain vigilant against various pests, including mealybugs, scales, and mites, as well as fungal infections like Phytophthora. Implementing integrated pest management programs is standard practice for ensuring healthy harvests in industrial plantations.