Standardization of propagation techniques for commercial multiplication of dragon fruit

Abstract:

"The best time to plant a tree was twenty years ago; the second best time is now." This old proverb captures the urgency facing Russian horticulturists as dragon fruit (Hylocereus spp.) demand outpaces domestic nursery capacity. This research standardised stem-cutting propagation for dragon fruit by testing six growth-regulator treatments—control, IBA at 1,000, 2,000, and 3,000 ppm, and NAA at 1,000 and 2,000 ppm—in a polyhouse at Kuban Agricultural University, Krasnodar, during 2022–2023. IBA at 2,000 ppm produced the highest rooting success (82.4%), root number (14.7 per cutting), and root length (18.3 cm) within 45 days. Survival after field transplanting was 94.1% for IBA-2000 cuttings versus 63.7% for untreated controls. The per-plant propagation cost under IBA-2000 was 47 RUB, yielding a benefit-cost ratio of 3.84. These results provide a ready-to-adopt protocol for commercial dragon fruit nurseries in subtropical Russia.