Effect of Organic Manure and Bio-fertilizers on the Quality Enhancement of Dragon Fruit (Hylocereus costaricensis) (Web.) Britton and Rose

Aims: This study aimed to assess the effects of vermicompost and bio-fertilizers on the quality attributes of Red Skin, Purple Flesh dragon fruit (Hylocereus costaricensis L.), focusing on improving fruit size, biochemical composition, and overall fruit quality through sustainable agricultural practices. Study Design: The experiment was conducted using a randomized block design, consisting of eleven treatments with three replications, including a control. The treatments varied in the combination of vermicompost and bio-fertilizers (Azotobacter, VAM, and PSB) applied to dragon fruit plants. Place and Duration of Study: The study was carried out from 2022 to 2024 at the Orchard, Department of Fruit Science, C.S.A. University of Agriculture and Technology, Kanpur, India. Methodology: Eleven treatments were testedT1-Control, T2-Vermicompost @ 0.5 kg/plant, T3-Azotobacter @ 50 g/plant, T4-VAM @ 100 g/plant, T5-PSB @ 50 g/plant, T6-Vermicompost @ 0.5 kg/plant + Azotobacter @ 50 g/plant, T7-Vermicompost @ 0.5 kg/plant + VAM @ 100 g/plant, T8-Vermicompost @ 0.5 kg/plant + PSB @ 50 g/plant, T9-Vermicompost @ 0.5 kg/plant + Azotobacter @ 50 g/plant + VAM @ 100 g/plant, T10-Vermicompost @ 0.5 kg/plant + Azotobacter @ 50 g/plant + PSB @ 50 g/plant and T11-Vermicompost @ 0.5 kg/plant + VAM @ 100 g/plant + PSB @ 50 g/plant. Each treatment was replicated three times.A basal dose of FYM (5 kg/plant), Trichoderma (25 g/plant), and neem cake (50 g/plant) was applied uniformly. Various quality parameters, such as fruit weight, size, pulp-to-peel ratio, and biochemical properties (total soluble solids, total sugars, ascorbic acid, and acidity), were measured to evaluate fruit quality. Results: The application of T₁₁ (Vermicompost @ 0.5 kg/plant + VAM @ 100 g/plant + PSB @ 50 g/plant) resulted in the highest fruit weight (280.50 g), length (9.42 cm), diameter (7.64 cm), and volume (254.98 cm³). T₁₁ also exhibited superior biochemical attributes, including the highest total soluble solids (15.76° Brix), total sugars (9.42%), and ascorbic acid content (14.26 mg/100 g), with the lowest acidity (0.17%) and highest TSS/acid ratio (92.85). Conclusion: The integration of vermicompost with VAM and PSB significantly enhanced dragon fruit quality by improving nutrient availability, optimizing physiological processes, and enhancing fruit size and biochemical attributes. These findings suggest that combining organic amendments and beneficial microbes offers a sustainable approach to improving dragon fruit production in tropical regions.