Application of Gibberellic Acid (Ga3) in Stem Cutting of Dragon Fruit (Hylocereus Polyrhizus): Effects on Fruit Quality and Yield at Harvest.

Abstract

Dragon fruits (Hylocereus polyrhizus) is a desert plant and highly adaptable to a new environment. They originated from North, Central and South America and are cactus in nature. This study was done in the field of undeveloped agricultural land (BRIS soil) in Rhu Tapai, Terengganu. This study was carried out to determine the effect of gibberellic acid (GA₃) application on the physical quality of H. polyrhizus fruit. After one week transplanting, H. polyrhizus stems were sprayed with 0, 1, 10, 50 ppm GA₃. GA₃ was sprayed once again during fruit set with the same concentrations. Results showed that the physical properties of H. polyrhizus fruits were affected by the application of GA₃. Fruit from GA₃ treated tree gave significant differences on weight, length, width and volume as compared to control. Greater quality of fruit was obtained when treated with 50 ppm GA₃. It was concluded that GA₃ spray have promotive effects on fruit quality.

Keywords: BRIS soil, plant growth regulator, fruit setting, postharvest