Preharvest fruit bagging material influence on physical attributes and pest incidence in two dragon fruit varieties
1Department of Fruit Science, ASPEE College of Horticulture, Navsari Agricultural University, Navsari, Gujarat, India. 2Department of Education, NAU, Navsari, Gujarat, India. 3AES, NAU, Pariya, Gujarat, India. Corresponding e-mail: vipashaddangariya@gmail.com
DOI: https://doi.org/10.37855/jah.2026.v28i01.30
The present investigation was conducted at the Regional Horticultural Research Station, ASPEE College of Horticulture, NAU, Navsari, Gujarat, India to evaluate the impact of preharvest fruit bagging material on physical attributes and pest incidence in two dragon fruit varieties. The experiment was laid out in a completely randomized design using a factorial concept comprising sixteen treatment combinations: two varieties, eight types of bagging materials, and repeated thrice. Results showed that fruit bagged in a water-resistant, white, butter paper bag took fewer days to harvest after bagging and had a minimum peel weight in the Red Flesh variety. In addition, the best results were obtained in the White Flesh variety for key growth metrics, including maximum fruit weight, fruit length, fruit diameter, flesh weight, flesh: peel ratio and edible portion. The results show that the fruit bagged seven days after anthesis with a butter paper water-resistant white bag performed better on all parameters.
