Bioscience Evidence 2024, Vol.14, No.6, 281-292 http://bioscipublisher.com/index.php/be 290 Despite the progress made in understanding the morphological and biochemical traits of dragon fruit, several research gaps remain. Firstly, there is a need for more comprehensive studies on the photosynthetic efficiency and metabolic pathways of different Hylocereus species under varying environmental conditions. This could provide insights into optimizing growth and yield. Secondly, the genetic basis of disease resistance in dragon fruit is not well understood. Future research should focus on identifying resistance genes and developing disease-resistant cultivars, especially against newly identified pathogens like Neoscytalidium hylocereum and Fusarium concentricum. Additionally, the impact of climate change on the growth, yield, and disease susceptibility of dragon fruit warrants further investigation. The findings from morphological and biochemical studies of dragon fruit have several practical applications. In agriculture and horticulture, the identification of key morphological traits can aid in the selection and breeding of superior cultivars with desirable characteristics such as higher antioxidant content and disease resistance. The high carotenoid and xanthophyll content in certain genotypes can be leveraged in the nutraceutical industry to develop products that address vitamin-A deficiency in tropical regions. Moreover, understanding the sensitivity of dragon fruit pathogens to various fungicides can guide effective disease management practices, ensuring sustainable production. Overall, these applications can enhance the economic value and health benefits of dragon fruit, promoting its cultivation and utilization on a larger scale. Acknowledgments We would like to express our sincere gratitude to the department leadership Dr. Li for reviewing the manuscript, whose insightful comments and suggestions have significantly improved its clarity. We also extend our appreciation to the two anonymous reviewers for their thorough evaluation and constructive feedback, which have greatly contributed to the refinement of this study. Conflict of Interest Disclosure The authors affirm that this research was conducted without any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest. References Abirami K., Swain S., Baskaran V., Venkatesan K., Sakthivel K., and Bommayasamy N., 2021, Distinguishing three Dragon fruit (Hylocereus spp.) species grown in Andaman and Nicobar Islands of India using morphological, biochemical and molecular traits, Scientific Reports, 11(1): 2894. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-021-81682-x Ador K., Gobilik J., and Benedick S., 2024, Flowering phenology and evaluation of pollination techniques to achieve acceptable fruit quality of red-fleshed Pitaya (Hylocereus polyrhizus) in Sabah, East Malaysia, Pertanika Journal of Tropical Agricultural Science, 47(3): 955-967. https://doi.org/10.47836/pjtas.47.3.22 Chu Y.C., and Chang J.C., 2020, High temperature suppresses fruit/seed set and weight, and cladode regreening in red-fleshed 'Da Hong'pitaya (Hylocereus polyrhizus) under controlled conditions, HortScience, 55(8): 1259-1264. https://doi.org/10.21273/HORTSCI15018-20 de Oliveira M.M.T., Lu S., Zurgil U., Raveh E., and Tel-Zur N., 2021, Grafting in Hylocereus (Cactaceae) as a tool for strengthening tolerance to high temperature stress, Plant Physiology and Biochemistry, 160: 94-105. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.plaphy.2021.01.013 Dewir Y., Habib M., Alaizari A., Malik J., Al-Ali A., Al-Qarawi A., and Alwahibi M., 2023, Promising application of automated liquid culture system and arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi for large-scale micropropagation of red dragon fruit, Plants, 12(5): 1037. https://doi.org/10.3390/plants12051037 Espley R.V., and Jaakola L., 2023, The role of environmental stress in fruit pigmentation, Plant, Cell and Environment, 46(12): 3663-3679. https://doi.org/10.1111/pce.14684 Hossain F.M., Numan S.M.N., and Akhtar S., 2021, Cultivation, nutritional value, and health benefits of Dragon Fruit (Hylocereus spp.): A Review, International Journal of Horticultural Science and Technology, 8(3): 259-269. Jalgaonkar K., Mahawar M.K., Bibwe B., and Kannaujia P., 2022, Postharvest profile, processing and waste utilization of dragon fruit (Hylocereus spp.): A review, Food Reviews International, 38(4): 733-759. https://doi.org/10.1080/87559129.2020.1742152 Kakade V., Morade A., and Kadam D., 2022, Dragon fruit (Hylocereus undatus). Tropical Fruit Crops: Theory to Practical; Ghosh, SN, Sharma, RR, Eds, 240-257. Lee Y.C., Ho M.C., and Chang J.C., 2023, Re-identification of non-facultative crassulacean acid metabolism behavior for red-fleshed pitaya (Hylocereus polyrhizus) micropropagules in vitro using an Arduino-based open system, Scientia Horticulturae, 309: 111646. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scienta.2022.111646
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