Assessment of soil chemical properties and shoot nutrient assimilation in dragon fruit under varying NPK regimens in Northern Dryzone of Karnataka

Abstract

The field experiment was conducted during 2023-24 Kharif season at KVK, Indi, Vijayapura, to study the influence of NPK fertilizer doses on Dragon fruit. The experiment was laid out in split plot design with two dragon fruit species in main plot as F1- Red pulped (Selenicereus polyrhizus) and F2- White pulped (Selenicereus undatus) and five nutrient managements practices (N1-Absolute control, N2-15 kg FYM + 200:50:50 g N:P2O5:K2O per pole, N3-15 kg FYM+200:250:100 g N:P2O5:K2O per pole, N4-15 kg FYM+ 300:200:200 g N:P2O5:K2O per pole, N5-15 kg FYM+ 450:350:300 g N:P2O5:K2O per pole) in sub plot. The study revealed that application of N5 led to the highest availability of NPK in both red pulped (260.17, 52.70 and 399.25 kg ha-1 respectively) and white pulped fruit species (257.95, 51.90 and 397.19 kg ha-1). Among fruit species, red pulped showed better performance in terms of yield and mineral acquisition for both soil and shoots of dragon fruit. The application of N4 exhibited higher fruit yield and maximal acquisition of minerals in both species of dragon fruit. The interaction between different NPK fertilizer doses and dragon fruit species concerning mineral acquisition in both soil and shoots of dragon fruit were found non significant.