Major diseases of dragon fruit (Hylocereus spp.) in coastal area of Pangandaran, West Java, Indonesia

Abstract

Pangandaran regency, a region located on the southern coast of West Java, Indonesia, has the potential to be developed as a centre for dragon fruit production. Dragon fruit farming has begun in this area but is currently experiencing some disease problems. Several diseases have been reported in dragon fruit in Indonesia, to mention some of them are stem canker and stem rot diseases. The purpose of this study was to examine the incidence of disease and to identify the main causal agents of dragon fruit disease that appeared in Pangandaran regency. Field observations showed that the incidence of the disease reached up to 100% of the sample plants, while the severity of the disease was actually high which occurred in stem canker and anthracnose caused by Neoscytalidium dimidiatum and Colletotrichum gloeosporioides reaching more than 50%. Other significant diseases found in the plantation were stem necrosis (Curvularia lunata), scab (Pestalotiopsis sp.) and soft rot (Bacteria X). Because there is no comprehensive review available, this study will provide information about dragon fruit diseases that will benefit further studies on dragon fruit disease management and the development of agro-tourism programs in the research area.