Vol. 10, Issue 10 (2021)

Author(s):
Shahroon Khan and MK Rana

Abstract:
Dragon, a recently introduced super fruit in Indian markets, is getting fabulous popularity among farmers due to its nutraceutical value, attractive colour and delicious pulp with edible black seed embedded in its pulp, excellent export potential and highly remunerative. It starts producing fruits 14-16 months after planting of stem cuttings and keeps producing fruits up to 20 years with long fruiting period usually from May to December in several flushes. The fruits are available in two colours, i.e., Red-skinned and (ii) Yellow-skinned. It is also preferred to grow in kitchen gardens because of its gorgeous nocturnal white flowers. Under Indian conditions, two species, i.e., (i) Hylocereus costaricensis, which is red-fleshed pitaya and (ii) Hylocereus undatus, which is a white-fleshed pitaya is particular in West Bengal. This review includes research findings on cultivation practices of dragon fruit under Indian conditions so that the farmers and consumers may be familiar with dragon fruit.