Dragon Fruit

Writer: Aarju Shrestha                                        Kamalamai 10 sindhuli                                         Far Wetern university Faculty of agriculture

Common name: Dragon fruit

Family: Cactaceae

Scientific name: Hylocereus Undatus

Origin: South America

Weight: 150 to 600 grams some reach 1 kilogram

Introduction:

Dragon fruit is a climbing vine type of Cactus species indigenous to Americas. It is commonly nicknamed as ''Noble woman" and it was believed that by eating it one became empowered with same strength of a dragon. The dragon fruit is also known as a pitahaya or pitaya in Mexico. Dragon fruit plant sowing is excellent in the less expected rainfall areas.

Cultivation:

Climate Required:

The tropical weather conditions are better for the dragon fruit cultivation. Dragon fruit pant requires 50 cm annual rainfall and 20 °C to 30 °C temperature. The high sunlight doesn't suits for the dragon fruit crop. You can use the shading method for protecting the dragon fruit crop from the high sunlight.

Soil Requirement: 

Requires sandy loam or clay loam. The sandy soil is better for the dragon fruit cultivation. Require pH of soil in between 5.5 to 7 and it is good for dragon fruit sowing. Before plantation applies any organic compost on the soil. 

Cutting the 20 cm length of the plant from the mother dragon plants before two days of a plantation. Before cultivation, keep this cutting piece in a pot with the mixture of Dry cow dung, Topsoil, and Sand in the ratio of 1:1:2. Avoid sunlight from these cut piece.

When you start cultivation place the every plant 2-meter x 2-meter space between them and planted in a pit which is 60 cm x 60 cm x 60 cm in a size. Also, fill this pit with 100 grams super phosphate compost. The 1-acre land contains about 1700 dragon fruit plants. For plant proper development and growth put the support of concrete or wooden columns.

Planting time:

The fruits should be planted before the onset of monsoon. The fruits have the economic life of 20-25 years.

Plant population: 

1700-1800 plants per acer or 4200 plants per hectare of land.

Fertilizers of Dragon Fruit Farming:

Requires 10 to 15 kg of organic compost or organic fertilizers for well vegetative grow. In dragon fruit farming for plant better expansion and growth, organic compost or fertilizer can play the main role. 

The each plant also requires 40 grams muriate of potash, 90 grams Super phosphate and 70 grams Urea per plant in the vegetative phase.

Apply a high amount of potash and low amount of nitrogen on a plant at fruit bearing phase for obtaining a high yield of dragon fruit. 

Take 50 g Urea, 50 g Super phosphate and 100 g muriate of potash and spread this fertilizer on dragon fruit plant from flowering to harvesting stage. Increase the dose of fertilizer from 220 gram per year up to 1.5 kg per plant.

Before flower stage in April

Fruit developing stage in July to Aug

Harvesting of fruit stage In December

Propagation :

It is propagated by seeds and cuttings, however propagation through seed is tough and takes longer time to come into production, so propagation through cutting is preferred more which is easy and reliable.

Pruning of dragon fruits: 

After one month of planting pruning is done to remove the thinner and lateral buds which are growing away from the main stem. Constantly pruning is done to keep the plant healthy.

Irrigation:

Drip irrigation method is effective and better irrigation system for dragon fruit plants. The irrigation requires frequently in a different stage of dragon fruit farming like planting, flowering and fruit development stage. Average 1-2 liter water per plant per day is sufficient.

Flowering:

After 8 months the buds will sprouts from the thorns and bloomed within 14 days. Dragon fruits bloom around 6 in the evening and dried up by the morning. Flowering start from June-July and it keep on producing flower to last of the year. The fruit start to develop from the days of fruits set and fruits need to be covered by the plastic to protect from the insects.

Harvesting: 

The dragon fruit plant gets the flowering in May to June month and fruits from Aug to Dec month. After one year of planting Dragon fruit plant start bearing the fruits. 

After one month of flowering stage, dragon fruits are ready for harvest. The immature dragon fruit has a bright green color skin.  After some day fruit skin turns in red color from dark green. The better harvesting time for dragon fruit is 3 to 4 days after fruit change its skin color. You can use the hand and sickle for picking the dragon fruit from the plant. You can expect average 5 to 6 tonnes dragon fruits per acre.

Dragon Fruit Production and Types

 

There are basically major three type of this Dragon Fruit according to their outer and internal side color.

Hylocereus undatus

Pink color fruit with white color flesh and also known as Pitaya blancaor white-fleshed pitahaya.

Hylocereus costaricensis

Red color fruit with red color flesh and it is also known as a Pitaya rojaor red-fleshed pitahaya or Hylocereus polyrhizus.

Hylocereus megalanthus

Yellow color fruit with white color flesh and it is also known as Pitaya amarillaor yellow pitahaya or Selenicereus megalanthus.

Dragon Fruit Uses

Jams

Ice creams

Jelly production

Fruit juice

Wine

Face packs

Dragon Fruit Nutrition

Phytonutrients

Antioxidants

vitamin C

polyunsaturated fatty acids

Carbohydrate

Vitamin B

Carotene

Protein

Dragon Fruit Health Benefits

Dragon fruit is beneficial for healthy skin and hair.

Dragon fruit is help in Lowers Cholesterol

Helps With Stomach Ailments

Lowers Blood Sugar

Improves Cardiovascular Health

Cuts Low Hemoglobin Risk

Helps In Weight Management

Prevents Cancer

Prevents Congenital Glaucoma

Boosts Immunity

Helps Suppress Arthritis Pain

Dragon Fruit During Pregnancy

Prevents Renal Bone Disease

Stronger Teeth And Bones

Is Good For Dengue Patients

Repairs Body Cells

Improves Appetite

Improves Vision

Boosts Brain Function

Cures Respiratory Disorders

Healthy Snack Option For Kids

Market Value:

Present market price of dragon fruit in Nepal is Rs 800 to 1000 per kg, which is very high price compared to other fruits and horticultural crops. This fruit has higher demand in the international market than national market.

Scope in Nepal:

There are availability of enough fallow and marginal land in the tropical and sub tropical regions of Nepal. This can be used for the cultivation of such fruits. It’s cultivation is quite easier than other crops. It comparatively requires less maintenance and can be grown in wide range of soils. This fruit does not require much more chemical fertilizers so that we can grow it organically using our local manures like compost manure, farmyard manure, vermicompost. As a result it turns into economical and eco friendly cultivation. This fruit will also help to promote agro tourism in recent future.

Challenges:

Although the initial investment for the cultivation of dragon fruit is very high so normal farmers are unable to invest such huge money on such cultivation. So government should provide subsidy, trainings related to cultivation and extension works for the farmers who are trying for dragon fruit cultivation as it has higher market value than any other fruits. Although initial investment is high, growers can expect investment returns in second or third year depending on variety.

Dragon fruit cultivated areas of Nepal:

Dragon fruit was brought for first time in Nepal by veterinary doctor Mr. Jagannath Rai from USA through his friend in 2057 BS. But its commercial cultivation is in starting phase in Nepal. This fruit has been distributed in 42 districts of Nepal, but farmers from Kavre, Sindhupalchowk, Sunsari, Bhairahawa,Dang, Lamjung, Pokhara, Kapilvastu has started commercial cultivation. Nowadays it is extending in various parts of Nepal. Dragon fruit cultivation is gaining popularity in Nepal and many investors and entrepreneurs are investing huge capital for this and gaining maximum profits. Hope this cultivation gain popularity and commercialization all over Nepal.

References:

https://agritechnepal.com/archives/591

https://agribikram.wordpress.com/2019/10/27/dragon-fruit-cultivation-in-nepal/#:~:text=Dragon%20fruit%20cultivated%20areas%20of%20Nepal%3A&text=But%20its%20commercial%20cultivation%20is,Kapilvastu%20has%20started%20commercial%20cultivation.