Pruning as an effective strategy for the integrated management of fruit and stem canker in dragon fruit production

Abstract

Neoscytalidium dimidiatum (Penz.) Crous & Slippers, the causal agent of stem and fruit canker, poses a significant threat to dragon fruit (Selenicereus spp.) production worldwide, potentially causing up to a 60% reduction in fruit market value. This study evaluated the effectiveness of winter pruning to manage this disease in two commercial orchards from mid-October 2022 to July 2023. Stem canker severity (%), fruit canker severity (%), the area under the disease progress curve (AUDPC) of stem canker severity (ss_AUDPC), fruit canker incidence (i_AUDPC), and fruit canker severity (sAUDPC) were determined in pruned plants and non-pruned plants. At both locations, pruned plants consistently showed significantly lower values for stem and fruit severity, ss_AUDPC, i_AUDPC, and s_AUDPC compared to non-pruned plants (P < 0.05). In Orchard 1, fruit canker severity decreased from 2.92% in non-pruned plants to 1.70% in pruned plants. Similarly, in Orchard 2, fruit canker severity declined from 1.80% in non-pruned plants to 0.89% in pruned plants. Winter pruning resulted in up to 61% control of stem canker and 42–51% control of fruit canker. These findings demonstrate that pruning is a critical cultural practice that should be integrated with other preventative strategies to support sustainable dragon fruit production.