2. Effect of Branch Pruning on the Flowering, Fruiting and Insect-Pest Infestation of Dragon Fruit Varieties (Hylocereus sp.)

Abstract

Dragon fruit (Hylocereus sp.) is one of the most popular and nutritious fruits of Cactaceae family. Present research was done at the Germplasm Centre of Bangladesh Agricultural University, Mymensingh to assess the performance of branch pruning on flowering, fruiting, fruit quality assessment and the intensity of insect-pest infestation of Hylocereus sp. plant. A two-factor investigation was carried out in randomized complete block design (RCBD) consisting of two varieties viz., BAU Dragon-1 (White flesh) and BAU Dragon-2 (Red flesh) with two conditions viz. under branch pruning and without pruning maintaining five replications. Results of this experiment showed that branch pruning significantly improved the number of flowering/plant, fruit number/plant, individual fruit weight, higher the flesh weight, improved fruit quality in size and flesh and lowered insect-pest infestation compared to un-pruned condition. In case of pruned BAU Dragon-1 variety, the highest number of flowering per plant was 22.33, fruiting number 26.33, individual fruit fresh weight 0.442-0.685 Kg, insect-infestation per plant was 0-0.67 whereas in BAU Dragon-2 variety, the highest number of flowering per plant was 28.33, fruiting number 12.67, individual fruit fresh mass 0.345-0. 605 Kg, insect-infestation per plant was 0-2. This study showed that branch pruning might be one of the best intercultural operations to increase the yield, fruit excellency and quantity and to lower the insect-pest infestation of dragon fruit. Further study is suggested to understand how pruning will develop the quality of dragon fruit and how long the beneficial properties of pruning may exist.