Fertilization Regimen
Dragon Fruit requires judicious application of fertilizer for better yields. The recommendations for fertilizer rates varies considerably. However, it is generally found that the crop requires frequent fertilization at the early stage of growth. The recommended fertilization application in Taiwan is 4kg of organic manure per pillar every 4 months, supplemented with 100g per plant of NPK 13:13:1. In Hawaiian plantations, NPK 16:16:16 is applied at 180 – 230g per pillar every 4 – 6 months. Calcium and micronutrients are also applied to enhance fruit growth and firmness. Low nitrogen fertilizers mixtures of NPK 0:10:10 & 2:10:10 has also been recommended for Dragon Fruits.
In Vietnam, young (less than 3 years old) plants are fertilized with 10 – 15kg of farmyard manure and 100 g of super phosphate/plant at the time of planting. During the first two years, 300 g of urea and 200 g of NPK (16:16:8) is applied to each plant every year. The fertilizer is applied in three lots, at one month, six months and twelve months after planting, respectively (Ke, 1997). According to Tri et al (2000), mature plants (at least three years old) should be fertilized 4 times a year as follows :
| No. | Stage | Type of fertilizer | Application rate per pillar |
| 1 | Immediately after harvest | N
P2O5 Manure |
216g
216 g 20kg |
| 2 | Two months later | N
P2O5 K2O |
162g
144g 45g |
| 3 | Just before flowering | N
P2O5 K2O |
54g
288g 120g |
| 4 | When young fruits are developing | N
P2O5 K2O |
108g
72g 135g |
For BINH THUAN Dragon Fruit, the fertilization regimen is as follows :
| Stage | Type of Fertilizers | Application Rate per pillar | Frequency |
| Year 1 | NPK 20:20:15 | 50g | Once a month |
| Year 2 onwards | NPK 20:20:15
Manure |
100g
2kg |
Once a month |
| Flower bud generating stage (about 25 days) | Fertilizers for spraying on foliage e.g. GA3, Antonics | NA | Spray on the 7th, 14th & 21st day after flower buds appear |
| Bearing fruits stage (about 30 days) | Fertilizers for spraying on foliage e.g. GA3, Antonics | NA | Spray on the 3rd and 14th day after flowering |
The fertilization regimen reportedly practiced by some farmers in Vietnam is as follows :
| Stage | Type of fertilizer | Application rate per pillar | Application Frequency |
| Year 1 | Urea
Super Phosphate |
50g
50g |
Every 4 months |
| Fruit bearing stage | Urea
Super Phosphate Potassium Organic Fertilizer |
0.5kg
0.5kg 0.5kg 20kg |
Every 4 months |
| During fruits development | Micro elements e.g. foliar fertilizer | Once a week | |
| 10 days before harvest | No fertilizer to be applied | - | - |
The fertilization practice recommended by the Malaysian Department of Agriculture is as follows:
| Stage | Type of Fertilizer | Application Rate per pillar | Application Frequency |
| Young plant (Up to 6 mth) | NPK 15:15:15 | 100g | 2 months once |
| Young plant (7 mths and above) | NPK 15:15:15 | 200g | 2 months once |
| Fruit bearing stage | NPK 13:13:21 | 300g | Alternate 1 month fertilization for fruiting and 1 month fertilization for growth |
| After fruiting | NPK 15:15:15 | 300g | Alternate 1 month fertilization for fruiting and 1 month fertilization for growth |
The fertilization practice recommended by Department of Agriculture Sarawak is as follows:
| Stage | Type of fertilizer | Application Rate per pillar | Application Frequency |
| Initial (after planting) | Rock Phosphate
Dolomite Manure |
0.4kg
0.1kg 5kg |
NA
Note : Apply fertilizers at the root, body, branches before planting |
| Year 1 | NPK 15:15:15 | 0.1kg | Once every 2 months |
| Start flowering | NPK 12:12:17.2+TE | 0.1kg | Once every 2 months |
| Year 2 and above | NPK 12:12:17.2+TE
Organic fertilizer |
0.2kg
5kg |
Once every 2 months
Once every 4 months |
References :
Ke, N.V. (1997). Dragon fruit. Agriculture Publisher, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
Tri. T.M., Hong, B.T.M. and Chau, N.M. (2000). Effect of N, P and K on yield and quality of Dragon fruit. Annual Report of Fruits Research, 2000, Southern Fruit Research Institute. Agriculture Publisher, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam.
