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Dragon fruit (pitaya) cultivation

Dragon fruit, also known as pitaya, is the edible fruit of climbing cacti in the genus Hylocereus. It has rapidly expanded across India over the last decade, supported by the Mission for Integrated Development of Horticulture (MIDH) under the rebranded name "Kamalam" and by significant private investment in nursery and trellis infrastructure.

Key characteristics

  • Plant type: terrestrial climbing cactus requiring vertical support
  • Commercial species:
  • Hylocereus undatus - white flesh, pink skin
  • H. polyrhizus - red flesh, pink skin
  • H. costaricensis - violet-red flesh
  • Climate: dry to sub-humid tropics; tolerates 30-40 deg C; needs free-draining soils
  • Bearing age: 18-24 months from planting

Cultivation

Standard Indian practice uses 6-7 ft concrete or angle-iron poles with a circular ring or cross-frame on top, four plants per pole, at spacings of 2 x 2 m to 3 x 3 m (around 400-1,100 poles/acre). Pits of about 2 x 2 x 2 ft are filled with topsoil, sand and well-rotted farmyard manure. Drip irrigation and balanced fertigation are standard.

The crop flowers in flushes from May through October in most of India; cross-pollination between varieties is encouraged through bouquet planting and hand-pollination of selected blooms.

Pest and disease profile

Stem rot caused by Bipolaris, Fusarium and bacterial soft rot are the principal disease constraints, particularly in waterlogged conditions. Mealybug, ants and fruit-piercing insects can also cause economic damage.

Adoption and use

MIDH provides subsidies of around Rs 3.37 lakh/ha for dragon fruit area expansion in two instalments under the "Kamalam" programme. Established orchards in India yield around 8-13.5 t/ha. Off-season harvesting through supplemental night lighting (Dragon Fruit Supplemental Lighting) and higher-density trellis variants (Dragon Fruit Double Layer Trellis) are being explored to improve returns.

See also: Dragon Fruit Double Layer Trellis, Dragon Fruit Supplemental Lighting.

References

  1. Dragon fruit cultivation. Indian Farming, ICAR.
  2. Dragon Fruit Cultivation in India. NIAM bulletin.
  3. Kamalam (Dragon Fruit) under MIDH. Press Information Bureau.