If you’ve been growing dragon fruit for even one season, you already know — rust is no joke. This reddish-brown fungus doesn’t just affect the beauty of your plants; it stunts growth, ruins fruit, and spreads fast when left unchecked. But the good news is, it’s completely manageable — if caught early and handled correctly.
At Kurela Agro Farms, we’ve tested both organic and chemical methods, tracked seasonal behavior, and monitored results — so we can share what actually works. This guide isn’t textbook theory — it’s from one farmer to another.
🔍 What is Rust in Dragon Fruit?
Rust is a fungal infection, often caused by excess humidity, poor air circulation, or nutrient imbalance. It appears as:
Orange-brown or rusty spots on stem ridges
Sometimes yellow halos or sunken lesions
Affected stems dry up or break over time
This pest is most aggressive after rains, or when the plant is weak due to poor nutrition.
🚨 Why is it Dangerous?
Reduces plant strength and yield
Delays fruit maturity
Damages future flushes
Spreads to healthy branches via water droplets, wind, tools
🛡️ Best Practices for Prevention & Early Control
Here’s what we follow strictly on our farm. These steps reduce 80% of the problem before it even starts.
✅ Cultural Practices
Avoid excess shade — balance is key
Always prune infected parts (burn or bury)
Water plants at the base, not overhead
Sanitize tools with bleach after pruning
✅ Nutrition & Immunity
Feed your plants with balanced NPK
Use calcium, magnesium, and silicon to strengthen skin
Add seaweed extract or humic acid monthly
Apply neem oil or clove oil sprays preventively
Available Solutions
🧪 Chemical Control Options
For fast control during severe outbreaks:
⚠️ Use only when absolutely needed. Follow label instructions.
🧴 1. Mancozeb + Carbendazim Mix
- 2g/litre of water
- Spray every 7–10 days
💧 2. Hexaconazole or Propiconazole
- Use 1ml/litre
- Strong systemic effect — do not overuse
🧼 3. Copper Oxychloride (COC)
- 2g/litre
- Helps dry lesions and stop spread
💡 Tip: Always mix with a sticker/spreader like APSA or liquid soap for better absorption
🌱 Organic Control Options
For farmers following natural or ZBNF models, these are tried and tested:
🧪 1. Cow-Based Fungicides
Mix: 5L Jeevamrut
10g turmeric powder
10g ash
Spray once every 7–10 days
🌿 2. Neem + Asafoetida Mix
50ml Neem oil
5g Hing (asafoetida)
1g liquid soap
Mix in 1L water — spray thoroughly
🍃 3. Garlic-Fermented Tea
Crush 10 garlic pods
Ferment in 1L water with jaggery for 2 days
Filter and spray early morning
🌾 4. Trichoderma or Pseudomonas Bio Spray
Available in powder or liquid
Mix as per label — apply to soil and stem
💡 Frequency: Spray once every 7–10 days during active infections. Rotate solutions every 2 weeks.
🔄 Integrated Plan We Use at Kurela Agro Farms
Here’s what we recommend to most farmers we consult or supply plants to:
Week 1: Organic neem + turmeric spray
Week 2: Jeevamrut with turmeric ash + Trichoderma
Week 3: COC or Mancozeb (if signs worsen)
Repeat after 15 days if needed
✅ Meanwhile: Strengthen plants with silicon, seaweed, and bio-available calcium.
🌟 A Farmer's Note We’ve seen hundreds of dragon fruit farms suffer just because they ignored the first sign of rust. Our advice: Don't wait for it to spread. Start early. Rotate methods. Stay consistent. This simple discipline has helped us maintain healthy plants and gain farmer trust nationwide.
📢 Final Word
At Kurela Agro Farms, we don’t just sell plants — we guide our farmers with real-world solutions like this one. If you found this guide helpful, feel free to refer other farmers or explore our plant supply, infrastructure kits, and consulting plans.
📦 Need plants?
📞 Call us or WhatsApp: +91 8866667502 / 8866667503
🛒 Visit: www.kurelaagrofarms.com
