Performance of Dragon Fruit Genotypes Grown in a Multistoried Production System

Background: The aonla-based multistoried production model is a climate-smart and profitable agro-technology that optimizes land use and mitigates climate change effects. Farmers in Bangladesh are grow dragon fruit as a single crop but only dragon fruit cultivation is not suitable for an over populated country like Bangladesh. Meanwhile both (red and white) dragon fruit genotypes are successfully grown in aonla based multistoried fruit production model without sacrificing the fruit yield comparing open field condition. But the biochemical composition of dragon fruit grown in shaded condition yet not been studied before. Methods: This study investigated the impact of shaded conditions on fruit yield and biochemical composition. Using a two-factor randomized complete block design with three replications, six treatment combinations were evaluated for quality attributes. Result: Results indicated that multistoried cultivation did not significantly alter the biochemical composition of dragon fruits. The red-fleshed genotype under sole cropping exhibited the highest values in key parameters, including calories (62.43 Kcal), vitamin C (24.8 mg), sugars (11.92%), fiber (0.58 g), protein (1.16 g), pH (4.64), total soluble solids (25%), carbohydrates (12.49 g) and ash (1.76%). The white genotype performed well under multistoried and double-storied conditions. Mineral analysis revealed a consistent ranking of K greater than Mg greater than Na greater than Ca across treatments, with white genotypes containing higher K, Mg and Ca, while Na was higher in red genotypes. These findings confirm that the aonla-based multistoried model supports dragon fruit cultivation without compromising nutritional quality, promoting sustainable agriculture in land-limited and climate-sensitive regions.