Abstract

Quality planting material production is one of the key issues in commercial fruit production and its sustainability specially for the new crop like dragon fruit in India. In this regard, a study was conducted during 2019–20 at Babasaheb Bhimrao Ambedkar University, Lucknow, India as an attempt to produce successful rooting from small length cutting for multiplication of planting materials to meet up its availability demand. Stem cuttings of dragon fruit in different lengths (5–45 cm) were studied for success rate and the rooting and shooting behaviour of cuttings when they were taken from various length The experiment clearly showed that 5–15 cm length were not successful whereas 100 per cent success observed from 20 cm and onwards length. However, on the basis of proper growth and development studies, it showed that among the various length, 30 cm length is the most beneficial when cuttings were prepared on open soil method at Lucknow subtropical condition. 30 cm cuttings gave the better root and shoot growth followed by 40 cm and 45 cm cuttings. Thus, 30 cm cuttings may be suggested at this locality for rapid multiplication specially when the cuttings are prepared during winter – spring season.