Propagation Performance of Dragon Fruit (Hylocereus undatus) Under Varying Salinity Regimes

Aim: Evaluation of the impact of varying salinity and shading levels on the growth and physiological performance of dragon fruit (Hylocereus undatus). Study Design: A factorial completely randomized design (FCRD) was used with ten treatments, each replicated five times. Place and Duration of Study: The study was conducted at the Department of Horticulture, Lovely Professional University, Punjab, India, from 2023 to 2024. Methodology: Dragon fruit cuttings (cv. Red Jambo) were grown under three salinity levels (3.0, 4.0, 5.0 dS/m) and three shading intensities (50%, 70%, full sun), along with a control. Growth parameters including plant height, shoot length, shoot diameter, chlorophyll content, number of branches, fresh and dry shoot weight, internodal length, pH, and electrical conductivity (EC) were recorded. Physiological traits were analyzed using standard horticultural methods. Results: Salinity and shade levels significantly influenced growth and physiological traits. Maximum plant height (37.46 cm) and fresh weight (60.937 g) were observed at 4.0 dS/m under 70% shade. Highest chlorophyll content (1.153 SPAD units) was noted at 3.0 dS/m, while highest shoot length (101.13 cm) and diameter (44.69 cm) occurred at 5.0 dS/m. Full sun conditions promoted shoot elongation but reduced chlorophyll content. Results indicated that moderate salinity combined with 70% shading supported optimal growth and stress resilience. Conclusion: The study highlights the interactive effects of salinity and shading on dragon fruit propagation. Moderate salinity (4.0 dS/m) with 70% shade significantly enhanced growth parameters, offering a viable strategy for cultivation in saline-prone regions.