Introduction:
Dragon Fruit is one of the most famous fruits in America which is now very popular in our country. Different varieties of this fruit were first imported to Bangladesh in 2006 from Thailand, Florida and Vietnam. Dragon fruit tree is a type of cactus. This tree has no leaves. Dragon fruit trees are usually 1.5 to 2.5 meters tall.
The size of the fruit is large, the color of the skin is red when ripe, the shell is dark pink, red and white and juicy in nature. The seeds of the fruit are small black and soft. The weight of a fruit varies from 150 grams to 600 grams.
There are usually three species of dragon fruit.
1) Red dragon fruit or beaten. Its shell is red and its shell is white. The fruits of this species are more common.
2) Costa Rica Dragon Fruit. The color of both the shell and the shell is red.
3) Yellow dragon fruit. The peel of this species of dragon fruit is yellow and the shell is white.
Caste:
Barry Dragon Fruit-1, Bow Dragon Fruit-1 (White), Bow Dragon Fruit-2 (Red), Bow Dragon Fruit-3
Nutrition: Vitamin C, Minerals and High Fiber. The fruit contains fiber, fat, carotene, plenty of phosphorus, ascorbic acid, protein, calcium, iron.
For every 100 grams of edible dragon fruit, the nutrients are available:
Water – 80-90 grams
Sugar – 9-10 grams
Protein – 0.15-0.5 g
Fiber – 0.33-0.90 gms
Food energy – 35-50 kcal
Fat – 0.10-0.6 grams
Calcium – 8-10 mg
Iron – 0.3-0.6 mg
Phosphorus – 18-35 grams
Carotene- (Vitamin A thiamine, riboflavin slightly
Vitamin-B-3 – 0.2 – 0.4 mg
Importance of dragon fruit
- Being rich in carotene keeps the eyes well.
- High in fiber helps in digestion. Fiber also reduces body fat.
- As a result, the existing proteins help in all the metabolic functions of the body.
- Its calcium keeps bones strong and teeth strong.
- Vitamin B-3 lowers blood cholesterol and keeps skin smooth.
. Vitamin C boosts the body’s immune system and helps keep skin, teeth and hair healthy.
Land selection and preparation:
Well drained high and medium high fertile land should be selected and well tilled with 2-3 tillage.
Planting method and planting time:
Dragon fruit cuttings should be planted square or hexagonal on flat lands and contour method on hilly lands. The best time to plant dragon fruit is from mid-April to mid-October.
Propagation:
Although dragon fruit is propagated by organ method or seed, it is better to propagate by organ method, i.e. cutting, to maintain maternal quality. The success rate of cutting is almost 100% and it catches up quickly. It takes 12-18 months for a tree to produce fruit from cuttings. Seedlings can be easily propagated by cutting the old and hard branches at 1 to 1.5 feet in sandy loamy soils in light shade. Then after 20 to 30 days the roots will come out from the beginning of cutting. Then it will be suitable for planting in the field. However, in suitable environment and as per requirement, cuttings can be planted directly on the main land.
Make holes and plant seedlings:
Make a hole 1.5 m x 1.5 m x 1 m and keep it open in the sun. After 20-25 days of making the hole, 25-30 kg of decomposed dung, 250 g of TSP, 250 g of MOP, 150 g of gypsum and 50 g of zinc sulphate fertilizer should be mixed well with the soil of each hole to fill the hole. Irrigation should be given if necessary. After 10-15 days of filling the hole, 4 seedlings should be planted at a distance of 50 cm in each hole directly in the middle. From 1 month to 1 year after planting of seedlings, 100 gm urea should be applied in each hole every 3 months.
Care:
Regular irrigation should be provided by removing weeds and fencing should be provided around if necessary. Since the trees are creeping and 1.5 to 2.5 meters long, 4 meters long cement poles should be laid between 4 seedlings for support. When the seedlings are big, they should be tied with straw or coconut rope so that when the stems come out, the tree can grow easily by grabbing the stalks. At the top of each pole one has to fasten the old tire of the motorcycle with the help of thick wire. Then the head of the tree and the other end should be hung on the outside to give the inside of the tire. Because in this way hanging dagai fruit more.
Irrigation Management:
Dragon fruit cannot withstand drought and waterlogging. Therefore, in dry season, it is necessary to irrigate after 10-15 days. Besides, it is necessary to irrigate the fruit tree 3 times, that is, once in flowering stage, once in fruit pea seed stage and again after 15 days.
Disease and pest management:
As a result, the disease does not catch the eye very much. However, sometimes root rot, stem rot and root rot disease are seen in this tree.
Original:
When excess water accumulates at the beginning, the root rots. When this disease occurs, all the roots of the tree rot in the soil, one or two of the roots of the tree rot. When the tree is pulled upwards, only the stem comes up without the root. However, to get rid of this, it is better to cultivate this fruit on high ground. This disease is caused by Fusarium sp.
Stem and root rot disease:
It can be caused by fungi or bacteria. When this disease occurs, the stems of the tree first turn yellow and then black, and then the rot begins in that part and the amount of rot increases. This disease can be easily controlled by applying any fungicide (Bevistin, Ridomil, Theovit etc.) mixed in 2 gm per liter of water.
Insects spiders:
Insects that are harmful to dragon fruit are not very noticeable, but occasionally aphids and milli bugs attack. The young and adult insects of aphids suck the sap from the young branches and leaves of the tree, causing the young branches and daggers of the affected tree to turn pale and the tree to become weak. This insect releases a sticky sap-like stool on the dagger, causing a black fungus disease called shootimold. This disrupts the food production of the plant. This reduces flower and fruit retention. The disease can be easily controlled by spraying Sumithion / Decis / Malathion in 10 liters of water mixed with 25 ml or 5 cups well.
Dragon Fruit Collection and Yield:
Fruits can be collected from 1 to 1.5 years of age after transplanting from dragon fruit cuttings. Fruits should be collected when they are completely red in color. Fruits are ready to be eaten in just 35-40 days after flowering. Fruits can be collected in 5-6 stages of the year. The first is June-October, the second is December-January.