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Research on Crops

Evaluating integrated nutrient management on growth traits of dragon fruit (Hylocereus costaricensis)


DOI: 10.31830/2348-7542.2026.ROC-1308    | Article Id: ROC-1308 | Page : 301-307
Citation :- Evaluating integrated nutrient management on growth traits of dragon fruit (Hylocereus costaricensis). Res. Crop. 27: 301-307
GURDEEP SINGH AND KRISHAN KUMAR SINGH deep.mannu1@gmail.com
Address : Department of Horticulture, Guru Kashi University, Talwandi Sabo-151302, Bathinda, Punjab, India
Submitted Date : 15-04-2026
Accepted Date : 22-05-2026
Online Published:

Abstract

The study was carried out in the Horticulture Research Farm during 2023–24 and 2024-25 at Guru Kashi University, Talwandi Sabo, Punjab, to determine the most effective RDF combination for enhancing growth of Dragon fruit (Hylocereus costaricensis) cv. Siam Red. The demand for dragon fruit is high due to its rich nutritional value, yet farmers still lack a standardized package of practices for its cultivation. The experiment was conducted in the south-western region of Punjab using a Randomized Block Design with four replications. Fourteen treatments comprising organic, inorganic and biofertilizers were evaluated: T1 (Control), T2 (FYM), T3 (Vermicompost), T4 (Recommended RDF), T5 (Azospirillum), T6 (PSB), T7 (Vermicompost + 50% RDF), T8 (Vermicompost + 75% RDF), T9 (Vermicompost + 50% RDF + Azospirillum), T10 (Vermicompost + 75% RDF + Azospirillum), T11 (Vermicompost + 50% RDF + PSB), T12 (Vermicompost + 75% RDF + PSB), T13 (Vermicompost + 50% RDF + Azospirillum + PSB) and T14 (Vermicompost + 75% RDF + Azospirillum + PSB). Key growth parameters such as plant height, stem circumference, number of branches, plant spread (N–S and E–W), canopy volume and number of stem areoles per rib were recorded. Treatment T14 showed maximum pool data for plant height (251.67 cm), stem circumference (13.58 cm), number of branches (18.50), N–S spread (139.17 cm), canopy volume (3.25 m³) and number of stem areoles per rib (86.67), number of flowers per pole (11.32), number of fruits per pole (10.25), and fruit yield per pole (3.65 kg), while T13 recorded the highest E–W spread (160.67 cm). Overall, T14 proved most effective, demonstrating the benefits of integrated nutrient management for Dragon fruit growth. The study concludes that integrated nutrient management is an effective approach for vegetative growth of dragon fruit under field conditions.

Keywords

Azospirillum dragon fruit FYM growth parameters PSB vermicompost

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