Chapter I

INTRODUCTION

Background of the study

Night blooming cactus or dragon fruit as it is popularly known in the Philippines

belongs to the Family Cactaceae under the genus Hylocereus. It is a native plant from

Mexico, Central and South America where they are called pitaya or pitahaya.

They are one of the most widely distributed members of the family, and are now

found on six continents. This vine-like epiphytic cactus is also cultivated in Southeast

Asian countries such as Malaysia, Vietnam, Taiwan, Thailand, and the Southeast Coast

of China.

Introduced in the Philippines in the 1900s through trading and exchange of

goods by the Spaniards and the Filipinos. Because of its production and economic

importance, this fruit showed competitive advantage for the local fruit industry.

Recently, dragon fruit has become a popular commodity in the Philippines

particularly among farmers in Cavite because of its commercial value.

The fruit is round, often red colored fruit with prominent scales. The thin rind

encloses the large mass of sweetly flavored white or red pulp and small black seeds.

Some varieties are pinkish or yellow. It can be taken as fruit, flower, vegetable, health

product and medicine as well, called priceless treasure.

Objective of the Study

The main objective of the study is to determine the production practices of

dragon fruit (hylocereus) growers in Barangay Maligaya, Lambayong, Sultan Kudarat.

The research study aims to answer the following objectives:

1. To determine the demographical status of dragon fruit (hylocereus) in terms of.

1.1. Marital Status

1.2. Types of ownership

2. To determine the production and management practices of Dragon fruit

growers in terms of:

2.1. Variety

2.2 Mode of Planting

2.3. Fertilization and Chemicals

2.3. Management Practices

3. To determine the assessment of yield performance and marketing

practices of dragon fruit growers in terms of:

 3.1. Marketing System

3.2. Area of distribution

4. Problems encountered by dragon fruit (hylocereus) growers in terms of:

4.1 Problems

4.2 Solutions

Importance of the Study

The conduct of the study will find out the production practices of dragon fruit

(hylocereus) growers in Brgy. Maligaya,Lambayong Sultan Kudarat.

The growers and technician are among the team that can give highly effective

instruction.Technician is always looking for new application of ideas and strategies that

can taught to the growers.

The result of this study will provide the dragon fruit (hylocereus) growers and the

whole community of Maligaya,Lambayong Sultan Kudarat the information of prevailing

conditions in terms of production marketing practices of dragon fruit (hylocereus) in

Barangay Maligaya, Lambayong, Sultan Kudarat will help to find out how the growers

able to produce of dragon fruit (hylocereus) and how it helps growers as their source of

income.
Scope and Delimitation of the Study

The study will embrace a little area as far as dragon fruit (hylocereus) production

is concerned in terms of: to determine the demographical status of dragon fruit

(hylocereus) ,to determine the production practices of Dragon fruit growers, to

determine the marketing practices of dragon fruit growers and the problems

encountered by dragon fruit (hylocereus) growers. The study is limited to the growers

producing dragon fruit (hylocereus) product in Brgy. Maligaya,Lambayong Sultan

Kudarat.

Time and Place of the Study

The study was conducted in Brgy. Maligaya,Lambayong Sultan Kudarat and will

study the production of dragon fruit (hylocereus) that took place during the year 2017.
 DEFINITION OF TERMS

Some words are defined as it is used in the study in order for the readers to

understandproperly and thoroughly this study on dragon fruit (hylocereus):

Hylocereus refers to the dragon fruit of several cactus species

indigenous to the Americas.

Fertilizer is natural based or chemical based used to help the

dragon fruits plant to grow.

Grower refers to the person who farms and grows dragon

fruits Small Seed are edible, they add a little texture, but

for the most part

they are unnoticeable.

Machineries refer to the machine that are used to aid human

laborers.

Production refers to the product that a grower was able to

produce;

needs to yield at one cropping.

Water matter is the product or the dragon fruit itself.

Dragon fruit is described by the estimated number of kilos

harvested

in one hectare for every cropping.

Land refers to the area wherein dragon fruit is planted.

Labor refers not only to human work by hands but also

requires training and intelligence in dragon fruit

production

practices.

Capital is defined as the produced goods utilized to produce

other

goods.

Maintenance is anything about growing dragon fruit in order to

increase

production.
 Chapter II

REVIEW OF RELATED LITERATURE AND STUDIES

The growing productivity has been dramatically and closely linked to the increase

in equality of capital, often use in the production process. In addition there has been an

effective substitution among production put like labor, seeds, fertilizers for

land.(Anonymous 2017)

The capital has greatly increased. The growers obtain their goods and services,

land and services, seeds and fertilizers and necessities in a variety of ways. In contrast,

like the earliest days when the land ownership is considered the ideal mode is now

widely accepted as a management practices. When the crops ripe, the growers harvest

the dragon fruit with their own combines and brought it to warehouse for

storage.(Anonymous 2013)

It is a native plant from Mexico, Central and South America where they are called

pitaya or pitahaya. This vine-like epiphytic cactus is also cultivated in Southeast

Asian countries such as Malaysia, Vietnam, Taiwan, Thailand, and the Southeast Coast

of China they are one of the most widely distributed members of the family, and are now

found on six continents. Introduced in the Philippines in the 1900s through trading and

exchange of goods by the Spaniards and the Filipinos. Because of its production and

economic importance, this fruit showed competitive advantage for the local fruit
industry. recently, dragon fruit has become a popular commodity in the Philippines

particularly among farmers in Cavite because of its commercial value. The fruit is round,

often red colored fruit with prominent scales. The thin rind encloses the large mass of

sweetly flavored white or red pulp and small black seeds.

Some varieties are pinkish or yellow. It can be taken as fruit, flower, vegetable,

health product and medicine as well, called priceless treasure. Sweet pitayas come in

three types, all with leathery, slightly leafy skin: Hylocereus undatus (Pitaya

blanca or white-fleshed pitaya) has red-skinned fruit with white flesh. This is the most

commonly seen "dragon fruit"..

Hylocereus costaricensis (Pitaya roja or red-fleshed pitaya, also known as Hylocereus

polyrhizus) has red-skinned fruit with red flesh. Hylocereus megalanthus (Pitaya

amarilla or yellow pitaya, also known as Selenicereus megalanthus) has yellow-skinned

fruit with white flesh.

Dragon fruit (Hylocereus) is a kind of tropical fruit which has great economic

potential and good for healthy. After thorough cleaning of the seeds from the pulp of the

fruit, the seeds may be stored when dried. Ideally, the fruit must be unblemished and

overripe. Seeds grow well in a compost or potting soil mix even as a potted indoor

plant. Pitaya cacti usually germinate after between 11 and 14 days after shallow

planting. As they are cacti, overwatering is a concern for home growers. As their growth

continues, these climbing plants will find something to climb on, which can involve

putting aerial roots down from the branches in addition to the basal roots. Once the
plant reaches a mature 10 pounds in weight, the plant may flower. Pitaya flowers bloom

overnight and usually wilt by the morning.

They rely on nocturnal pollinators such as bats or moths for fertilization. Self-

fertilization will not produce fruit in some species, and while cross-breeding has resulted

in several "self-fertile" varieties, cross-pollinating with a second plant species generally

increases fruit set and quality. This limits the capability of home growers to produce the

fruit. However, the plants can flower between three and six times in a year depending

on growing conditions. Like other cacti, if a healthy piece of the stem is broken off, it

may take root in soil and become its own plant.

The plants can endure temperatures up to 40 C (104 F) and very short periods of

frost, but will not survive long exposure to freezing temperatures. Hylocereus has

adapted to live in dry tropical climates with a moderate amount of rain. The dragon fruit

sets on the cactus-like trees 3050 days after flowering and can sometimes have 5-6

cycles of harvests per year. (Naidu Ratnala Thulaja & Nor-Afidah Abd Rahman)
 Chapter III

METHODOLOGY

Research Design

The descriptive method of research were used to gather information on the

reaction of respondent to the production practices of dragon fruit or hylocereus growers

in Barangay Maligaya, Lambayong, Sultan Kudarat.

A questionnaire was be used in the data gathering.

Respondent of the study

The respondent of the study will be the one (1) dragon fruit grower of Barangay

Maligaya, Lambayong, and Sultan Kudarat.

Data Gathering Procedure

The researchers will ask permission from the office of the Campus Executive

officer of Sultan Kudarat State University, Tacurong City Campus to conduct the study.

After the approval, the researchers conduct a research on the production practices of

dragon fruits or hylocereus growers of Barangay Maligaya, Lambayong, Sultan Kudarat.

 As soon as the request granted the researchers will personally conduct an

interview with the one (1) dragon fruit grower regarding the production practices of

dragon fruit or hylocereus grower. The researchers will translate the questions in the

questionnaire in their own native tongues which is Ilocano. The researchers will directly

answer the questionnaire according to the respondents answer.

After the questionnaires have been answered completely, the researchers

analyzed the results.

Data Gathering Instrument

To properly come up with a validated source of factual data the researchers

drafted a survey questionnaire with the help of the advised of the respondent. The

researchers aimed at getting vital data and information from the grower to serve as

basis in identifying the objective of the study.

Statistical Treatment

Simple statistical method was used in the analysis and interpretation of the data.

1. To answer the research question the researcher used the frequency and percentage

to know the Production Practices of Dragon Fruit (Hylocereus) Grower in Barangay

Maligaya, Lambayong, Sultan Kudarat.

2. To answer the questions, the mean used to measure the Production Practices of

Dragon Fruit (Hylocereus) Grower in Barangay Maligaya, Lambayong, Sultan Kudarat.

 Dependent variable Independent variable

PRODUCTION
DRAGON
DRAGON FRUITS
FRUITS (HYLOCEREUS)
ECONOMIC
(HYLOCEREUS)
STATUS
GROWER PROBLEM
ENCOUNTERED

Figure 1.The conceptual framework of the study.

Hypothesis

The following were the hypothesis of the study

Aa: The Production Practices of Dragon Fruit (Hylocereus) are big help to the grower.

Bb: The Production Practices of Dragon Fruit (Hylocereus) are big to the grower and

enough income.
 Chapter IV

PRESENTATION, ANALYSIS AND INTERPRETATION OF DATA

This chapter deals with the analysis and interpretation of data. The results

were obtained from the grower response to the survey questionnaire. It presents

the analysis of data and discussion of the general findings.

I. Demographic Profile of the Production Practices of Dragon Fruit (Hylocereus)

A total of one (1) respondent of dragon fruits grower were surveyed in Barangay

Maligaya, Lambayong, Sultan Kudarat. The response of the respondent on every items

in the questionnaire is presented in the following tables.

Table1 the Marital status of the respondents in Barangay Maligaya, 2017

Marital Status Frequency Percentage %

Single 0 0%
Married 0 0%
Widow 1 100%
Others 0 0%
Total 1 100%

It is indicated in the table above 100% that the grower is widow, comprising

100%.The least frequency almost 0% which is single, married, others. This table shows

that the marital status the dominant in number is the widow. It implies that the

respondent in the survey were widow.

Table 2 The types of ownership of the respondent.

Types of Ownership Frequency Percentage %

Owner 1 100%

Total 1 100%

The table shows that the respondent in Production Practices of Dragon Fruit

(Hylocereus ) are owner, comprising 100%. The data shows that the dominant in

number is the owner. It implies that the respondent in survey is owner.

II PRODUCTION AND MANAGEMENT PRACTICES

A total of one (1) respondent of dragon fruit grower were surveyed in Barangay

Maligaya, Lambayong, Sultan Kudarat ,. The response of the respondent on every item

in the questionnaire are presented in the following tables.

Table 1. What is the variety of Dragon fruits (Hylocereus) prevalent in the area.

Variety Frequency Percentage %

Hylocereus Undatus (white- 1 10%

fleshed with pink-skinned)
Hylocereus Costaricensis 8 80%
(red-fleshed with red
skinned) 1 10%
Hylocereus Megalanthus
(yellow-skinned with white
fleshed)

Total 10 100%

The table shows that the majority in variety in terms of dragon fruits (hylocereus)

is Hylocereus Costaricensis , comprising 80%. Followed by Hylocereus Undatus

varieties with 10%, and Hylocereus Megalanthus variety with 10. The data shows that

the variety of dragon fruit the dominant in number is Hylocereus Costaricensis variety.

It implies that the respondent in survey the variety of dragon fruits is Hylocereus

Costaricensis
Table 2.The mode of planting of grower in terms of production practices of

dragon fruits (Hylocereus)

Mode of Planting Frequency Percentage %

Manual 1 33.33%

Upstanding 1 33.33%

Cutting 1 33.33%

Total 3 100%

The table shows that the majority on how to plant the dragon fruit, this grower is

using Manual, Upstanding, cutting, comprising 100%.the data shows that the 33.33%

are the manual, upstanding, cutting. It implies that the respondent of the dragon fruit is

using these equally.

Table 3.The types of fertilizers that they used in dragon fruit.

Frequency Percentage %
Fertilizer

Organic 3 60%

Nitrogen 1 20%

Urea 1 20%

Total 5 100%

The table shows that the grower is using Organic fertilizers 3, comprising 60%

followed by Urea and Nitrogen are the same percentage according to the respondent,

comprising 50%. The table shows that the dominant on the number is more on using

organic. It implies that grower substantial using organic.

Table 4.The mode of harvesting practices by the grower.

Mode of Harvesting
Frequency Percentage %

Cutter 2 40%

Manual 3 60%

Total 5 100%

The table shows that the majority in mode of harvesting is manual methods

comprising 60%. Followed by Cutter with 40% the data states that the mode of

harvesting that dominant in number is the manual methods. It implies that the grower

considerable in manual methods.

III ASSESSMENT OF YIELD PERFORMANCE OF DRAGON FRUITS (Hylocereus)

GROWER.

Table 1.How much your assessment in expenses every time you harvest.

Expenses Frequency Percentage %

10,000 1 100%

Total 1 100%

It is indicated in the table above that 1 frequency is 10,000 expenses, comprising

100%. The data implies that the overall total of expense in harvesting is 100%.
TABLE 2. How much the income every time you harvest.

Income Frequency Percentage %

40,000 5 50%

50,000 3 30%

60,000 2 20%

Total 10 100%

It is indicated in the table above that 5 frequency is 40, 000, comprising 50%.

The 50,000 is 30% and 60,000 is 20%. The data shows that the grower almost earned

50% and 30% frequently 20% occasionally. It implies that the overall total is 100%.
Table 3. Do you think your income can help you to provide your daily needs

Help Frequency Percentage %

Yes 1 100%

No 0 0%

Total 10 100%

It is indicated in the table above that 1 frequency is Yes, comprising 100%. The

0% is No. The data shows that the income of grower is enough for their needs. It implies

that the overall total is 100%

Table 4. Do you think every time you harvest you are gaining profit.

Profit Frequency Percentage %

Yes 1 100%

No 0 0%

Total 10 100%

It is indicated in the table above that 1 frequency is Yes, comprising 100%. The

0% is No. The data shows that the grower is gaining profit every time of harvesting. It

implies that the overall total is 100%

Table 5. Marketing System used in marketing of dragon fruit (Hylocereus).

Marketing System
Frequency Percentage %

Total 10 100%
Table 6. Pricing of dragon fruit (Hylocereus).

Pricing Frequency Percentage %

200 1 100%

Total 1 100%

It is indicated in the table above that 1 frequency is 200 (per kilo), comprising

100%. The data shows that the pricing of dragon fruit (Hylocereus) grower is 200 (per

kilo ). It implies that the overall total is 100%.

IV THE PROBLEMS THAT ENCOUNTERED BY DRAGON FRUITS (HYLOCEREUS)

GROWER.

A total of one (1) respondent of dragon fruit grower were surveyed in Barangay

Maligaya, Lambayong, Sultan Kudarat. The response of the respondent on every item

in the questionnaire are presented in the following tables.

Table 1.Problem encountered in grow

4.1 What are the

Frequency Percentage %
problems that had

encountered in growing

dragon fruits

(Hylocereus)?

Ants 5 50%

Water 2 20%

Plant diseases 3 300%

Total 10 100%

It is indicated in the above 5 frequency is Ants, comprising 50%.The Water

20% and Plant diseases 20%.the data shows that the most problems encountered in

dragon fruits is Ants. . It implies that the overall total is 100%.

4.2 What are the solutions

Frequency Percentage %
that you made to

overcome the problems

you had encountered?

fertilizer
Total 10 100%

Chapter V

SUMMARY, FINDINGS, CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATIONS

LITERATURE CITED
APPNDICES