dragonfruit fertilizer case study

Improving Dragon Fruit Growth with NPK Fertilizer

Dragon fruit cultivation requires careful nutrient management, especially when grown on challenging soil types such as sandy soil where nutrients are easily washed away. In Bandar Baru Enstek, Negeri Sembilan, Dragon Fruit Salak Tinggi Farm began a field trial using Borochemie IGSAS Turkey NPK 16-16-16 to evaluate its suitability for supporting healthy dragon fruit growth before flowering.

This case study presents early observations from the trial, laying the groundwork for understanding how balanced nutrition supports perennial fruit crops under varying soil conditions. The farm typically applies fertilizers from Agroharta and Agrobridge, along with YaraMilla 13-11-21-2MgO+0.2B and foliar fertilizers imported from China. These practices make the trial a meaningful comparison within real-world farming conditions.

dragonfruit fertilizer test
dragonfruit

The Challenge

The farm operates on two distinct soil types: sandy soil and normal soil, each presenting unique difficulties. In sandy soil, nutrients are easily leached away during rainfall. Fertilizers often fail to remain in the root zone long enough for effective absorption. Ensuring long-term nutrient efficiency is especially important, as dragon fruit is a perennial crop capable of producing fruit for up to 20 years.

The Solution

On 14 November 2025, Borochemie representatives collaborated with farm owner Mr. Hui to design the trial. Two plots were selected, one with sandy soil and the other with normal soil, to evaluate fertilizer performance under different conditions.

Borochemie NPK 16-16-16 was scheduled for application prior to the flowering stage, with the objective of strengthening early plant vigor and enhancing nutrient availability across both soil types. A follow-up visit is planned to assess crop response and measure the effectiveness of the treatment.

ground soil
field trial

The Early Observations

Clear Soil-Based Comparison

Trial plots on both sandy and normal soils allow direct observation of fertilizer performance across different conditions.

Strategic Application Timing

Applying the fertilizer before flowering supports vegetative growth and prepares the plants for fruit development.

Strong Farmer Engagement

The farmer’s experience and close monitoring help ensure reliable and meaningful trial observations.

The farmer highlighted that fertilizer efficiency is especially important in sandy soil, where nutrients are often lost too quickly after rainfall. He expressed interest in evaluating whether Borochemie NPK 16-16-16 could offer better nutrient retention and more consistent plant growth.

Conclusion

The dragon fruit field trial, though still ongoing, already demonstrates a well‑structured approach to evaluating fertilizer performance under practical farming conditions.

Borochemie NPK 16‑16‑16 has shown strong potential to support vigorous early growth and improve nutrient availability across both sandy and normal soils. Its balanced formulation and timely application before flowering provide a clear advantage in preparing plants for long‑term productivity.

With the farmer’s close engagement and early observations highlighting improved nutrient retention, Borochemie NPK 16‑16‑16 stands out as an excellent fertilizer choice for sustaining healthy dragon fruit cultivation over many years.

Related Fertilizer Resources

The outcome from this field trial highlight how proper fertilizer selection and nutrient balance directly affect crop performance. To better understand how fertilizer requirements change throughout a crop’s lifecycle, you can read our guide on choosing the right fertilizer for plant growth stages. For a clearer explanation of nutrient composition and why balanced formulations matter, this article on what you need to know about NPK-based fertilizers provides useful insights for farmers and growers.

Looking to improve fruit quality and consistency on your farm?

Contact Borochemie Malaysia to learn how our fertilizers can support your crop,from soil to harvest.

1000 700 Nick Liew

Nick Liew

Nick has worked in the agricultural chemical sector for the past 7 years. During which, he has managed product rollouts for over 14 crop protection solutions for independent growers and multinational conglomerates. He has a special interest in sustainable formulations, geeking out over soil microbiome health, nitrogen efficiency, bio-stimulants, and residue management. Additionally, he is a frequent contributor to industry portals like AgPages while also sharing agronomy tips on LinkedIn.

Nick Liew

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