Vegetos
(An International Journal of Plant Research & Biotechnology)
Influence of coloured shade nets on shoot and root growth of dragon fruit stem cuttings
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Short Communications | Published: 09 April, 2025
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Keywords: Coloured nets, Dragon fruit, Shoot growth, Root growth, Chlorophyll content, Sunburn
Abstract
The present study was conducted to evaluate the effects of coloured shade nets on the root and shoot development of dragon fruit stem cuttings. Dragon fruit stem cuttings are vulnerable to desiccation, with high temperatures and intense solar radiation accelerating water loss and hindering shoot and root development. The experiment compared red, white, and green shade nets to a control (no shade), examining shoot/root growth, chlorophyll content, sunburn percentage, and success rates over 120 days. The red net showed the best results, producing the highest shoot count per cutting (3.1), shoot fresh weight (151.6 g), dry weight (45.5 g), and success rate (90%) along with faster shoot emergence (16.3 days) and reduced sunburn (10%). Red nets also led to superior root growth, with the highest root fresh weight (9.5 g), dry weight (2.8 g), and length (21.0 cm). Although white nets encouraged maximum root branching, they were less effective for shoot growth. Chlorophyll content under the red net was also highest (chlorophyll ‘a’: 1.6 mg/g, ‘b’: 1.2 mg/g, total: 2.8 mg/g). Thus, the study clearly revealed that red shade nets significantly enhance both root and shoot growth while minimizing sunburn, making them the most suitable option for dragon fruit stem cutting propagation.
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Author Information
Department of Fruit Science, Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana, India