Large dragon fruit poses no danger to health

In recent years, the cultivation of dragon fruit has experienced a significant surge in both production and popularity. This nutritious and profitable fruit has seen a remarkable increase of 116 times in cultivation and nearly 400 times in production within just 9 years. However, concerns have arisen regarding the use of hormones or tonics in the cultivation process, particularly in relation to the large-sized dragon fruits that are now prevalent across the country.

Officials from the Department of Agriculture Extension have addressed these concerns by stating that the use of gibberellic acid or tonics as plant growth regulators has been scientifically proven to be safe. They assure the public that there is no risk of any adverse health effects associated with consuming these large-sized dragon fruits. Nonetheless, they emphasize the importance of further research conducted by agricultural research institutes to assess the impact of hormones or tonics on dragon fruits produced within the country. Additionally, they suggest that guidelines should be established to regulate the usage of hormones or tonics in dragon fruit cultivation.

Dragon cultivation in Bangladesh began after 2010, and in 2014, it started commercially under the 'Nutrition Development Scheme through Year-round Fruit Production' of the Department of Agriculture Extension. The commonly cultivated dragon fruit varieties in the country include Bau Dragon-1, Bau Dragon-2, Bari Dragon-1, Pink Dragon, Velvet Dragon, and Yellow Dragon. Among these, Pink Dragon and Bow Dragon-2 are the most widely cultivated.

According to the Department of Agriculture Extension, dragon fruit is known for its rich antioxidant content and is also a good source of calcium. It is particularly beneficial for individuals with bone density or bone problems as it helps compensate for calcium deficiency in the body. Dragon fruit is also recommended for children as it fulfills their vitamin A and beta carotene requirements. Moreover, it provides vitamin A and beta carotene to adults as well, promoting good eyesight and preventing eye problems. Additionally, dragon fruit is high in vitamin B and thiamine. The small seeds of dragon fruit contain calcium, vitamin B, and protein. Furthermore, dragon fruit is a good source of iron and fiber. Adequate fiber intake is essential for maintaining a healthy digestive system and preventing colon problems, constipation, and piles.

According to the Department of Agriculture Extension, the cultivation and production of dragon fruit in the country have experienced significant growth over the past 9 years. In the fiscal year 2014-15, dragon fruit was cultivated on 18 hectares of land, yielding 66 tons. However, in the financial year 2015-16, the production increased to 277 tons with cultivation on 38 hectares of land. This trend continued, with 54 hectares of land and 431 tonnes of dragon fruit cultivated in the financial year 2016-17. The production further rose to 815 tons in the financial year 2017-18, planted on 108 hectares of land.

In the financial year 2018-19, the cultivation area expanded to 227 hectares, resulting in a remarkable increase in production to 2,802 tons. The following fiscal year, dragon fruit was cultivated on 341 hectares of land, leading to a production of 3,464 tons. The cultivation area continued to expand in the fiscal year 2020-21, reaching 695 hectares, and the production soared to 8,659 tons.

In the fiscal year 2021-22, dragon fruit was cultivated on 1,115 hectares of land, yielding an impressive 13,872 tons. The last financial year, 2022-23, witnessed a record-breaking cultivation of dragon fruit on 2,095 hectares of land, resulting in the highest production in the country to date, standing at 25,760 tons.

As for the current financial year, 2023-24, the cultivation and production of dragon fruit have continued to increase in the country.

According to Md Mehdi Masud, the project director of the nutrition development project focused on year-round fruit production, farmers have recently started using hormones or plant growth regulators to enhance fruit growth. These regulators, such as gibberellic acid, oxy, and indole acidic, are widely recognized in the scientific community. For instance, GA-3 is commonly used in apples, and almost all grapes in the market are grown with the help of plant growth regulators. These regulators play a crucial role in the development of fruits, as they stimulate cell division and transfer energy to the fruit. Contrary to concerns about their potential harm, plant growth regulators, particularly gibberellic acid or gibberellin, are organic acids naturally produced by fungi and plants. They have no harmful effects on health and can even be beneficial in certain cases.

A recent study has revealed that the application of gibberellic acid can significantly increase the weight of dragon fruit. Without the use of gibberellic acid, the average weight of the fruit was found to be 392 grams. However, when gibberellic acid (40 ppm) and naphthalene acetic acid (20 ppm) were used, the weight increased to 562 grams. This clearly indicates that the use of gibberellic acid plays a crucial role in enhancing the weight of dragon fruit.

Dragon fruit is categorized into four different grades based on its weight. The minimum grade ranges from 200 to 250 grams, the medium grade ranges from 251 to 350 grams, the large grade ranges from 351 to 450 grams, and the XL grade includes fruits that weigh more than 451 grams. To produce XL-sized dragon fruits, it is necessary to utilize hormones such as phytohormones, natural hormones, and plant growth regulators. These hormones aid in achieving the desired size of the fruit without posing any harm to health.

In a separate study conducted in Malaysia in 2014, the Malaysia Journal of Biology Agriculture and Health Care discovered that the use of GA-3 and GAP-3 at 50 ppm resulted in larger fruit sizes. The study also revealed that as the ppm concentration of these hormones increased, the size of the fruit also increased. This further supports the notion that the application of hormones can positively impact the size of dragon fruit without posing any health risks.

In the Asian countries of Malaysia and Vietnam, Dr. highlighted the research and published reports in the journal. Md. Mehdi Masud emphasized that dragon fruit is completely safe and there is no risk of health damage when using plant growth regulators. He criticized YouTubers who spread false accusations to tarnish the reputation of Dragon Fruit, urging them to stop their slanderous behavior.

Addressing the issue of pesticides, Dr. Masud mentioned that the study conducted by the Agricultural Research Council found no evidence of pesticides affecting dragon fruits. However, he noted that there is a lack of research on the effects of hormones. Dr. Masud suggested that different research institutes should collect samples of dragon fruits from various markets and analyze them to determine if there are any harmful substances present.

Md. Ubaidullah Kayshar, the Chief Scientific Officer of the Fruit Department at the Bangladesh Agricultural Research Institute (Bari), expressed the need to investigate the use of hormones and tonics in dragon fruit cultivation. Chemical analysis is currently being conducted to identify any unapproved substances or tonics that may be imported from other countries. Once these substances are identified, further research will be conducted to understand how they may be affecting the size of the fruit.

Md. Abdul Qayyum Sarkar, the Chairman of the Bangladesh Safe Food Authority, assured that no unsafe elements have been found in dragon fruits thus far. The authority is closely monitoring the situation and taking necessary actions to ensure the safety of consumers.