Impact of Organic Manure and Bio-fertilizers in Various Combinations on Growth and Flowering of Dragon Fruit

Aims: It focuses on enhancing plant vigor, increasing flower production, improving soil fertility and promoting sustainable, eco-friendly nutrient management for better productivity and reduced chemical dependency. Study Design: Conducted over two years using a randomized block design (RBD) with 11 treatments. Place and Duration of Study: The present study was carried out at Horticulture Garden, Department of Horticulture, Chandra Shekhar Azad University of Agriculture & Technology Kanpur, U.P. India during two consecutive years viz., 2021-22 and 2022-23. Methodology: In the present study, the efficacy of Organic manure and bio-fertilizers was investigated on dragon fruit (Hylocereus undatus). Eleven treatments viz.,T0- Control, T1- Vermicompost (0.5kg/plant), T2- Azotobacter (50g/plant), T3-VAM (100g/plant), T4- PSB (50g/plant), T5- Vermicompost (0.5kg/plant) + Azotobacter (50g/plant), T6-Vermicompost (0.5kg/plant) + VAM (100g/plant), T7-Vermicompost (0.5kg/plant) + PSB (50g/plant), T8-Vermicompost (0.5kg/plant) + Azotobacter (50g/plant) +VAM (100g/plant), T9-Vermicompost (0.5kg/plant) + Azotobacter (50g/plant) + PSB (50g/plant), and T10-Vermicompost (0.5kg/plant) + VAM (100g/plant) + PSB (50g/plant). Results: Results showed that the combined application of vermicompost (0.5 kg/plant), VAM (100 g/ plant) and PSB (50 g/plant) (T11) significantly enhanced all parameters, recording the highest growth and flowering performance. T11 exhibited the earliest bud appearance (370 days), shortest bloom time (6.90 days), longest flowering duration (10.20 days) and largest flowers (29.64 cm length, 16.23 cm diameter). Treatments T10 and T9 also performed well. Conclusion: The study highlights the benefits of integrating organic and bio-fertilizers for better growth, early flowering, and improved yield in dragon fruit, enhance sustainable cultivation practices and improve productivity under eco-friendly management systems.