Dragon fruit: An exotic super future fruit of India

Abstract

Dragon fruit a recently introduced super fruit in Indian market. It is getting tremendous popularity among growers because of its attractive fruit colour and mouthwatering pulp with edible black seed imbedded inside the pulp, nutraceutical value, excellent export potential and highly remunerative in nature as produces yield from 14- 16 months after planting of stem cutting and yield up to 20 years with long crop cycle from May – December in different flushes in each and every year. It is also a part of urban horticulture because of its beautiful nocturnal showy white flowers which can be used in moon garden. Hylocereus costaricensis, red fleshed pitaya and H. undatus, a white fleshed pitaya is two major species growing under Indian condition especially in West Bengal. This review deals with the knowledge regarding cultivation of dragon fruit based on literature and some of research findings in Indian condition so all become familiar with dragon fruit.