author(s)
Suvarna B Deore, SJ Patil, BM Tandel and AV Narwade

abstract
Dragon fruit (Hylocereus spp.) is an excellent tropical fruit with exotic appearance which is also known as pitaya., rich in vitamin C and antioxidants. The chances of crop improvement through conventional breeding is a limitation in dragon fruit, hence induced mutation can be exploited for creating genetic variability. The present study was carried out during January 2023 to December 2024 at the Regional Horticultural Research Station, ASPEE College of Horticulture, Navsari Agricultural University, Navsari to induce the variability in red flesh dragon fruit cv. Jumbo red. The experiment was laid out in completely randomized design (CRD) with seven treatments and four replications with different dosage of Ethyl Methane Sulphonate (T₁: 3.0%, T₂: 3.5% and T₃: 4.0%) and Sodium azide (T₄: 0.05%, T₅: 0.075% and T₆: 0.1%) soaking for 6 and 4 hrs. respectively, along with T₇: Control (Untreated) treatment.