Effect of Organic Manures and Bio-fertilizers on Growth, Yield and Quality of Dragon Fruit (Hylocereus undatus L.) under Western Uttar Pradesh Conditions

Abstract

The field experiment was conducted at the Horticultural Research Centre, Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel University of Agriculture and Technology, Meerut, Uttar Pradesh, during 2023. All treatments were applied in a randomized block design with three replications, including T0- Control (No manures), T1- 100% N as FYM, T2- 100% N as FYM + Jeevamrut + Panchagavya, T3- 100% N as FYM + NPK Microbial Consortium, T4- 100% N as FYM + Jeevamrut + Panchagavya + NPK Microbial Consortium, T5- 100% N as Vermicompost, T6- 100% N as Vermicompost + Jeevamrut + Panchagavya, T7- 100% N as Vermicompost + Jeevamrut + Panchagavya + NPK Microbial Consortium, and T8- 100% RDF. The application of treatment 100% N as Vermicompost + Jeevamrut + Panchagavya + NPK Microbial Consortium (T7) was found significantly superior in terms of number of new branches per pillar (12.67, 16, 18.67 and 20.33) at 30, 60, 90 and 120 days after treatment, plant canopy spread (5.10 and 5.27 m2) at initial and harvest stage, number of flower per pillar(24), days taken from flowering to fruit harvest (29.93), number of fruits per pillar(19.33), length of the fruit (9.81cm), width of the fruit (9.02cm), fruit weight (390.85 g), peel thickness (3.65 mm), specific gravity(1.12), fruit yield per pillar (7.55 kg), fruit yield per hectare (8.38 t/ha), TSS (14.17° ⁰Brix), ascorbic acid content (8.74 mg/100 g) and minimum titratable acidity (0.24 %) of dragon fruit. The study highlights the potential of integrating organic manures and bio-fertilizers to enhance the growth, yield and quality of dragon fruit, offering a sustainable and eco-friendly alternative to chemical fertilizers. Further research can explore the long-term impacts of these organic treatments on soil health, nutrient dynamics, and their adaptability to different agro-climatic regions for broader applicability.