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DRAGON FRUIT FARMING : METHOD OF FARMING
Classification
Scientific name: Hylocereus undatus
Family: cactaceae
Introduction
Dragon Fruit is famous in Thailand, Vietnam, Israel and Sri Lanka. In India, commercial cultivation of dragon fruit is picking up and market price of this fruit in India is 200 to 250 Rs / kg. Dragon Fruit cultivation is excellent in regions where less rainfall is expected. Dragon Fruit plant is treated as an ornamental plant as well as fruit producing plant. Dragon fruit is consumed as a fresh fruit or can be used in jams, ice creams, jelly production, fruit juice and wine. Dragon Fruit can also be used in face packs.
Health Benefits of Dragon Fruit
Dragon fruit plants can tolerate any type of soil; however, they grow well in soil having good drainage. Good drainage system is important to dragon fruit cultivation. Dragon fruit plant prefer light acidic soil with pH ranging from 5.5 to 6.5. Sandy loam soil with high organic matter are suitable for the cultivation for the Dragon fruit. Sandy soils with organic matters also provides good condition for plant growth.
Climate
India is a tropical country with moderate climate all-round the year. Dragon fruit adapts well to tropical climates. The optimum temperature range for dragon fruit cultivation is about 20 – 30ºC with well distributed annual rainfall of 100-150 cm. It need good sunlight, but not suitable for long period. It can be cultivated in tropical wet zone or intermediate zone as well as dry zone with the irrigation facilities. Heavy rain fall areas are not suitable for the crop. As excessive rain causes flower drop and fruit drop. Generally, an altitude up to 1500 m altitude is suitable for the cultivation. Very high temperature and very low temperature is not suitable for the growth of the plant.
Varieties
There are 3 types dragon fruit based on their colour.
The most common propagation method in dragon fruit Cultivation is by cuttings. However, it can also be propagated by seeds. But as seeds take longer time and will not continue with mother plant characteristics, this method is not suitable for commercial cultivation. You should get the plant cuttings from the quality mother plants. An about 20 cm length cuttings should be used for planting in the field. Pile up these cutting two days before the potting.
Then these cuttings should be potted with planting mixture of Dry cow dung: Top soil: Sand as 1:1:2. Make sure these pots are placed in shade before planting. Keep the Plant-to-Plant space of 2-meter x 2 meter. Dig the pits size of 60 cm x 60 cm x 60 cm. These pits should be filled with top soil and compost with 100 grams of super phosphate.
Training
To get the proper up right growth and development of the plant, these should be supported by concrete or wooden columns. Immature plant stems are required to tie with these columns. Lateral shoots should be limited & 2 to 3 main stems should be allowed to grow. (Make sure the lateral buds are from time to time). It is recommended to have round/circular metal frame to maintain the balanced dragon shrub.
Pruning
Once are plants are big. These should be pruned by removal of dried branch and diseases branches. This helps in maintaining growth and vigour of plants. There should be 50 main branches with 1 or 2 single branches after harvesting. The cut portion should be treated as fungicide
Manure & Fertilizers
Dragon fruit require judicious application of manure and fertilizer for higher yield. The fertilizer doses where is depending on the climatic conditions. In initial stage more nitrogen should be applied for good vegetative growth. In later stages more amounts of phosphorus and Potash is applied. Application of Calcium and other micronutrient are beneficial for growth of fruits. In India there are no recommended days for fertilizer is recommended. Generally, 1 to 2 old plants should be given 10 to 15kg of farm yard manure, 200 g nitrogen, 50 g phosphorus and 50 g of potash. This should be divided in three equal doses and applied in 3 times in a year. The plant of 3 and more year is should be given 20 kg farm yard manure, 500 g Nitrogen, 750 phosphorus and 300 g of potassium. These should be applied in four equal splits doses after harvesting and during growth, before flowering and after fruit set every year (Table1). The Dragon fruit can be grown organically without applying chemical fertilizers and pesticide. The farm yard manure and poultry manure may be used for supplementing nutrients. These organic fruits have more demands in the market.
Age of plant Recommended doses/ plant/year
FYM (kg) N (g) P (g) K (g)
1st yr 15 200 50 50
2nd yr 15 200 50 50
3rd yr nd more than 3 yrs 20 500 750 300
Water Management
Dragon fruit require planting of water for growth good yield. The root system is shallow and distributed in 15 to 30 cm depth. Hence irrigation should be insured to provide sufficient water during dry season. Excessive irrigation may cause fungal disease. Therefore, proper drainage should be provided in rainy season.
Frequent dry period without irrigation reduces the yield and quality of fruits. The dry period before flowering is required for production of more fruits. Drip irrigation found beneficial for better yield and growth.
Irrigation by flooding is not recommended as it wastes water and increases work of weeding. Approximately 1 to 2 litres of water per day per plant is sufficient during the summer/dry days. Water requirement may increase or decrease depending upon soil, climate and Plant health.
Weed management:
Weed management is important for the growth in initial stages. The creeping and climbing type weed should be removed at the frequent period of interval as these entangle with the vines and affect the growth and yield.
Flowering, Fruiting and yield
The flower big in size, bright attractive in colour with sweet fragrance. The flower opens in the evening and remain open during night up to pollination. The petal closes completely after sun rays.
The flower production generally take place during April – August in the Humid tropical conditions. It is cross pollinated and flowers open in the night. To increase the pollination, hand pollination can be done. Generally, honey bees. Little honeybees and dragon flies are the pollinators for the dragon fruits.
Fruits will be matured 30 -50 days after flowering. Fruiting period will continue up to 3-4 months. Harvesting may be done three-four times with in this period. Outer cover of immature is in bright green colour. It will become red in colour with ripening.
Proper time of harvesting is after four days of colour changing. Dragon fruit normally fruits after 18-24 months after plantation. Dragon Fruit weight ranges from 300-800g and each plant produces 40 to 100 fruits per year. One plant normally yields 15 to 25 kg of fruits. The farm gate price rate is range between Rs. 200 to 250 per kg.
Pest & Diseases
Dragon fruit is affected by comparatively lesser amount of pests and diseases. The pests like mealy bugs and termite have been found damaging the dragon fruit. As for as the disease is concerned the watery stem rot caused by Xanthomas is caused damaged to vines in heavy rainy areas. Proper drainage, wider spacing, adequate air circulation and proper sunlight light to help in minimizing the disease.
To get more information about Dragon Fruit Farming Best Practices, visit Agriculture Exhibition
Classification
Scientific name: Hylocereus undatus
Family: cactaceae
Introduction
Dragon Fruit is famous in Thailand, Vietnam, Israel and Sri Lanka. In India, commercial cultivation of dragon fruit is picking up and market price of this fruit in India is 200 to 250 Rs / kg. Dragon Fruit cultivation is excellent in regions where less rainfall is expected. Dragon Fruit plant is treated as an ornamental plant as well as fruit producing plant. Dragon fruit is consumed as a fresh fruit or can be used in jams, ice creams, jelly production, fruit juice and wine. Dragon Fruit can also be used in face packs.
Health Benefits of Dragon Fruit
- Controls Diabetes
- Lowers Cholesterol
- High In Fats, Vitamins, Minerals And Proteins
- Good Source Of Antioxidants
- Prevents Arthritis
- Improves Heart Health
- Helps In Weight Management
- Fights Against Ageing Process
- Prevents Asthma
Dragon fruit plants can tolerate any type of soil; however, they grow well in soil having good drainage. Good drainage system is important to dragon fruit cultivation. Dragon fruit plant prefer light acidic soil with pH ranging from 5.5 to 6.5. Sandy loam soil with high organic matter are suitable for the cultivation for the Dragon fruit. Sandy soils with organic matters also provides good condition for plant growth.
Climate
India is a tropical country with moderate climate all-round the year. Dragon fruit adapts well to tropical climates. The optimum temperature range for dragon fruit cultivation is about 20 – 30ºC with well distributed annual rainfall of 100-150 cm. It need good sunlight, but not suitable for long period. It can be cultivated in tropical wet zone or intermediate zone as well as dry zone with the irrigation facilities. Heavy rain fall areas are not suitable for the crop. As excessive rain causes flower drop and fruit drop. Generally, an altitude up to 1500 m altitude is suitable for the cultivation. Very high temperature and very low temperature is not suitable for the growth of the plant.
Varieties
There are 3 types dragon fruit based on their colour.
- Red color fruit with white color flesh.
- Red colour fruit with red color flesh.
- Yellow color fruit with white color flesh.
The most common propagation method in dragon fruit Cultivation is by cuttings. However, it can also be propagated by seeds. But as seeds take longer time and will not continue with mother plant characteristics, this method is not suitable for commercial cultivation. You should get the plant cuttings from the quality mother plants. An about 20 cm length cuttings should be used for planting in the field. Pile up these cutting two days before the potting.
Then these cuttings should be potted with planting mixture of Dry cow dung: Top soil: Sand as 1:1:2. Make sure these pots are placed in shade before planting. Keep the Plant-to-Plant space of 2-meter x 2 meter. Dig the pits size of 60 cm x 60 cm x 60 cm. These pits should be filled with top soil and compost with 100 grams of super phosphate.
Training
To get the proper up right growth and development of the plant, these should be supported by concrete or wooden columns. Immature plant stems are required to tie with these columns. Lateral shoots should be limited & 2 to 3 main stems should be allowed to grow. (Make sure the lateral buds are from time to time). It is recommended to have round/circular metal frame to maintain the balanced dragon shrub.
Pruning
Once are plants are big. These should be pruned by removal of dried branch and diseases branches. This helps in maintaining growth and vigour of plants. There should be 50 main branches with 1 or 2 single branches after harvesting. The cut portion should be treated as fungicide
Manure & Fertilizers
Dragon fruit require judicious application of manure and fertilizer for higher yield. The fertilizer doses where is depending on the climatic conditions. In initial stage more nitrogen should be applied for good vegetative growth. In later stages more amounts of phosphorus and Potash is applied. Application of Calcium and other micronutrient are beneficial for growth of fruits. In India there are no recommended days for fertilizer is recommended. Generally, 1 to 2 old plants should be given 10 to 15kg of farm yard manure, 200 g nitrogen, 50 g phosphorus and 50 g of potash. This should be divided in three equal doses and applied in 3 times in a year. The plant of 3 and more year is should be given 20 kg farm yard manure, 500 g Nitrogen, 750 phosphorus and 300 g of potassium. These should be applied in four equal splits doses after harvesting and during growth, before flowering and after fruit set every year (Table1). The Dragon fruit can be grown organically without applying chemical fertilizers and pesticide. The farm yard manure and poultry manure may be used for supplementing nutrients. These organic fruits have more demands in the market.
Age of plant Recommended doses/ plant/year
FYM (kg) N (g) P (g) K (g)
1st yr 15 200 50 50
2nd yr 15 200 50 50
3rd yr nd more than 3 yrs 20 500 750 300
Water Management
Dragon fruit require planting of water for growth good yield. The root system is shallow and distributed in 15 to 30 cm depth. Hence irrigation should be insured to provide sufficient water during dry season. Excessive irrigation may cause fungal disease. Therefore, proper drainage should be provided in rainy season.
Frequent dry period without irrigation reduces the yield and quality of fruits. The dry period before flowering is required for production of more fruits. Drip irrigation found beneficial for better yield and growth.
Irrigation by flooding is not recommended as it wastes water and increases work of weeding. Approximately 1 to 2 litres of water per day per plant is sufficient during the summer/dry days. Water requirement may increase or decrease depending upon soil, climate and Plant health.
Weed management:
Weed management is important for the growth in initial stages. The creeping and climbing type weed should be removed at the frequent period of interval as these entangle with the vines and affect the growth and yield.
Flowering, Fruiting and yield
The flower big in size, bright attractive in colour with sweet fragrance. The flower opens in the evening and remain open during night up to pollination. The petal closes completely after sun rays.
The flower production generally take place during April – August in the Humid tropical conditions. It is cross pollinated and flowers open in the night. To increase the pollination, hand pollination can be done. Generally, honey bees. Little honeybees and dragon flies are the pollinators for the dragon fruits.
Fruits will be matured 30 -50 days after flowering. Fruiting period will continue up to 3-4 months. Harvesting may be done three-four times with in this period. Outer cover of immature is in bright green colour. It will become red in colour with ripening.
Proper time of harvesting is after four days of colour changing. Dragon fruit normally fruits after 18-24 months after plantation. Dragon Fruit weight ranges from 300-800g and each plant produces 40 to 100 fruits per year. One plant normally yields 15 to 25 kg of fruits. The farm gate price rate is range between Rs. 200 to 250 per kg.
Pest & Diseases
Dragon fruit is affected by comparatively lesser amount of pests and diseases. The pests like mealy bugs and termite have been found damaging the dragon fruit. As for as the disease is concerned the watery stem rot caused by Xanthomas is caused damaged to vines in heavy rainy areas. Proper drainage, wider spacing, adequate air circulation and proper sunlight light to help in minimizing the disease.
To get more information about Dragon Fruit Farming Best Practices, visit Agriculture Exhibition