Advancements in taxonomy, cytology, floral, and pollination biology of dragon fruit: Strategic insights for crop improvement and sustainable production

Abstract

Dragon fruit has emerged as a commercially valuable crop due to its nutritional benefits, adaptability to diverse environments, and growing market demand. Characterized by its nocturnal flowering behavior and complex pollination mechanisms, optimizing its floral biology is crucial for improving fruit yield and quality. Recent advances in dragon fruit research have extensively explored cytological aspects and applied modern genomic tools for crop enhancement. This review gives a brief botanical profile based on updated taxonomic information. It also provides a comprehensive analysis of flowering biology, pollination strategies and offseason production. By incorporating the latest taxonomic updates and integrating theoretical and applied perspectives, this study serves as a valuable resource for researchers, breeders, and growers aiming to optimize dragon fruit productivity and ensure long-term agricultural sustainability.