What is training?
Training is a process followed during initial stage to impart a desired structure of a plant.
Objectives of Training:
Training of Dragon Fruit plant is done to:
- To make the plant approachable for better service and ease in harvest.
- Enhance the plant health for better quality and quantity of yield.
Materials required for training of Dragon Fruit plant:
- Branch cutter
- Jute thread / Sutli
- Measuring tape
How to do training of Dragon Fruit plants?
Following steps should be taken care during initial stage of the plants–
- It is a climbing cactus and epiphytic in nature. The vine needs support for its controlled growth & development.
- Concrete pole with a concrete ring is found to be more useful than concrete pole with tyre ring and Iron Pole with iron ring.
- The height of the concrete pole should be 8 Ft. i.e. 1 to 1.5 ft. should be buried in soil and 7 ft. above the ground.
- The concrete ring is fixed on the top of pole for supporting the vine when matured.
 |  |
| Concrete Pole with Concrete Ring | Concrete Pole with Tyre Ring |
 |  |
| Iron Pole with Iron Ring | Concrete Pole with Wire |
- Four plants should be planted on each side of the pole.
- Immature stem must be tied in pole with the help of jute threads/sutli.
- Single stem should be allowed to grow until it reaches the ring.
 |  |
| Tying with Sutli/jute thread |
Note – IIHR Bengaluru, KA evaluated four different trellis system of Single pole with cement and iron ring, continuous pyramid stands and ‘T’ stands with two different cultivars.
Single pole system showed better performance in growth and yield when compared with other trellis system. Single pole with concrete ring type of trellis which supports the weight of the plants and allow easy access to flower and fruit works better in commercial production.
Source – https://krishi.icar.gov.in/jspui/bitstream/123456789/23809/1/Dr.Karunkaran%2C%20vetnum%20proceeding%20.pdf
