production technology of cucurbits

production technology of cucumber, bottle gourd, sponge, ridge gourd, bitter gourd

1. An Assignment on Production Technology of Cucurbits VSC 502 – Production Technology of warm season vegetable crops Submitted to – Dr. N.B. Patel Associate Professor Department of Vegetable Science ACHF, NAU, Navsari Submitted by – Avisha Ram Budhani 2 nd Semester M.Sc. (Horticulture) Vegetable Science ACHF, NAU, Navsari

2. Botanical name: Cucumis sativus L. Family: Cucurbitaceae Chromosome number: 2n=14 Origin: India Ancestor : Cucumis harwickii Importance of crop Cucumber ( Cucumis sativus L.) is an edible cucurbit popular throughout the world for crisp texture and taste. Cucumber is a truly versatile vegetable because of wide range of uses from salads to pickles and digestive aids to beauty products. It is a very good source of potassium, an important intracellular electrolyte. 100 g of cucumber provides 147 mg of potassium. Cucumbers contains unique anti-oxidants in moderate ratios such as β-carotene and α-carotene, vitamin-C, vitamin-A, zea-xanthin and lutein.

3. Basic information DNP Thermophilic crop 2 nd most widely cultivated cucurbit after watermelon 1 st sequenced vegetable crop Prefers low temp. than WM & MM Most common sex form : Monoecious Bitterness : Cucurbitacins New synthetic species: Cucumis × hytivus 2n=2x=38. 1st gynoecious F1 hybrid, Pusa Sanyog , developed in India in 1971. Economic sex ratio of cucumber: 15:1. Induction of parthenocarpy in cucumber: Choloroflurenol Metaxenia : Effect of pollen on fruit shape and other fruit characteristics

4. Soil and Climate Cucumbers prefer light textured soils that are well drained, high in organic matter and have a pH of 6-6.8. Adapted to a wide-range of soils, but will produce early in sandy soils. Cucumbers are fairly tolerant to acid soils (down to pH 5.5). Greenhouse cucumbers generally grow quite well in a wide range of soil pH (5.5-7.5), but a pH of 6.0-6.5 for mineral soils and a pH of 5.0-5.5 for organic soils are generally accepted as optimum. Most of the greenhouses for crop production use soil-based media. The soil-based medium is composed of 70% red soil, 20% well decomposed organic matter and 10% rice husk. The raised beds of 40 cm height and 90 cm top width are made for successful cultivation of crop. Now-a-days it is an essential practice for all greenhouses. Root medium of a greenhouse is generally pasteurized annually. However, sometimes it is done between every crop.

5. This increase in frequency is occasionally necessitated due to the proliferation of disease-causal organisms in the greenhouse. Formaldehyde is a commonly used chemical to sterilize the root medium. Drenching of root medium with formaldehyde (37-40 %) mixed with water @ 25 ml per liter is the usual practice. The Formalin used for sterilization should be mixed with water in 1:10 proportion. For drenching Formalin is used at the rate of 7.5 lit for 100 sq. mt. i.e. 37.5 lit of Formalin will be required for 500-sq.mt of polyhouse . After drenching, the soil or root medium will be covered with plastic film or black polyethylene sheet. Close all ventilation spaces. Three to four days after formaldehyde treatment remove polyethylene cover. Two days after removing the polyethylene cover rake the bed repeatedly to remove trap formaldehyde fumes completely before transplanting.

6. Climate Maximum growth occurs at a day and night temperature of about 28°C, maximum fruit production is achieved with a night temperature of 19-20°C and a day temperature of 20-22°C. The minimum temperature should not be lower than 18ºC for sustained production. Prolonged temperature above 35ºC should also be avoided as fruit production and quality are affected at extremely higher temperatures .

7. Sowing time and method Cucumber can be grown successfully round the year under greenhouses. Although, seed is generally sown directly into the soil, but looking into high cost of the seed and problem of competition among the plants during gap filling, generally, 3000 seeds are sufficient for a greenhouse of 1000 sq. m. It is advisable to raise 20 per cent of total population through plug trays so that these can be used for timely gap filling in order to keep pace with the growth of other plants. There are three ingredients viz., cocopeat, vermiculite and perlite which are used as media for nursery raising. These ingredients are mixed in 3:1:1 ratio before filling the trays. Owing to the cost of these ingredients, cocopeat alone can be used as rooting media. The cocopeat usually comes in bricks of 5 kg, but before using it as growing media it must undergo through various hydration processes with water to remove excess of salt present in it. Next step is to hydrate cocopeat brick with calcium nitrate @ 100 g per brick at least for 24 hrs. Size of bed – 30 cm height , 45 cm width and 50 cm between 2 beds

8. Sowing (open conditions) Time – July-Sept Jan-Feb Seed rate – 3-5 kg/ha Spacing – 1.5 x 0.5 m or 1.5 x 1 m Irrigation Drip irrigation Inline lateral lines may be installed in the middle of beds. Distance between two drippers - 30 cm and its discharge rate is 2 L/hour . Diameter of riser is 16mm .

9. Fertilizer management C ucumber has a high nutrient requirement and grows rapidly when supplied with sufficient nutrients. Fertigation is done using water soluble fertilizers @ 90, 75, 75 kg/ha (N, P, K) twice a week, which usually commences after 10 days of planting. The soil application of micro-nutrients (Grade-V) is done at the time of planting. The details of fertigation are as follows Duration Grade Quantity (g/1000 m 2 ) Twice a week Initial 30 days 19:19:19 1250 00:52:34 275 00:00:50 180 Next 30 days CaNO 3 1000 12:61:00 470 Urea 150 00:00:50 800 Next 30 days and onwards Urea 300 CaNO 3 900 00:52:34 525 00:00:50 450

10. Cultural practices Training & Pruning Basic principle in developing training system is to uniformly maximize the leaf interception of sunlight throughout the house. Staking in cucumber has been found to be very effective in getting maximum yield and better quality of fruits. Types of training Single stem training (60 x 45 cm) Umbrella system (60 x 60 cm) V-system ( 60 x 60 cm)

11. V-System

12. Umbrella system

13. Single stem system

14. Umbrella system: The main stem is allowed to grow vertically along the supporting string up to the overhead wire (2 m above the ground level). The apical bud is removed after producing two leaves above the overhead wire. Two healthy and vigorous lateral branches at the top of the vine are allowed to grow along the wire for about 15 cm and trained to grow downwards. All other laterals are removed and Plants were arranged in 60 cm x 60 cm spacing. V system: The main stem is allowed to grow along the supporting string and the growing point is removed at the 6th leaf stage (45-60cm plant height). The two emerging lateral branches are then trained into a "V-shape" onto the overhead wire. Other practices were similar to the Umbrella system. Single stem system: The main stem is allowed to grow vertically along the supporting string towards the overhead wire as in the case of the Umbrella system. When the plant reaches the overhead wire, whole vine is lowered and trained to move downward. This system can accommodate more plants at the spacing of 60 x 45 cm.

15. Pruning Pruning improve fruit yield and quality As the plant grows up the string, remove all the lateral buds up to the sixth node (a node being where a leaf joins the stem). Pruning the lateral buds allows the plant to become large enough to support continued healthy fruit development. In addition to the lateral buds, all the fruits should also be removed up to this point.

16. Cucumber : Pusa Seedless Cucumber-6 Year of release  : 2015-16  Characteristics  : First extra early (40-45 days for first fruit harvest) improved variety of parthenocarpic gynoecious cucumber suitable for cultivation in protected condition. Fruits are attractive, uniform, dark green, glossy, cylindrical, straight, slightly ribbed, non-hairy, non-warty, slightly striped at blossom end and has tender skin & crispy flesh. Average fruit length, width & weight are 14.24 cm, 3.45cm & 105 g, respectively. Average fruit yield is 126 t/ha (1260 kg/ 100 m2) during winter season (off-season, November-March). Cultivars

17. Variety Pusa Sanyog Breeding Method Heterosis Pedigree/Parentage Japanese Gyn. Line x Green Long Naples Important Traits Early maturing and high yielding, fruits long, cylindrical and dark green with yellow stripes, flesh crisp IIHR 177-1 Multiple-disease resistance to powdery mildew + downy mildew+ alternaria

18. Variety Pusa Uday Breeding Method Selection Pedigree/Parentage Selection from Indigenous material Important Traits The plants (vines) are 1 to 1.5 m long. The flowering behaviour is monoecious . The fruits are medium in size (13-15 cm long), light green in colour with whitish green stripes. Variety Straight eight Breeding Method Introduction Pedigree/Parentage Introduction from USA Important Traits Fruits medium in length , straight and cylindrical with round ends, skin medium green

19. Variety Japanese Long Green Breeding Method Introduction Important Traits Plants are early, prolific bearing, first picking starts in 45 days after sowing. Fruits are yellowish green, 30-40 cm long, whitish green with light green and crisp flesh. This variety essentially requires staking for straight fruits. Variety Kalyanpur Green Breeding Method Selection Important Traits Fruits thick, green, tasty while brown at maturity. This variety is suitable for cultivation in rainy season. This variety has yield potential of 100-125 q/ha.

20. Variety Phule Shubhangi ( Sel 75-1-10) Breeding Method Pedgree Selection Important Traits Fruits green, colour of fruit remains after storage, surface smooth with trichoms . Plants are tolerant to pod borer, anthracnose, leaf spot and leaf under field condition. Fruits are smooth and attractive green fruits with white strips at apical end. Variety Phule Priyanka Breeding Method Hybridization Pedigree/Parentage RHRB-5 x RHRBG4 Important Traits Fruits dark green, highly prickled, 20 cm long, suitable for rainy and summer seasons, tolerant to downey mildew, average yield 282.7 q/ha

21. Pant Sankar Khira-1 The fruits are long about 20 cm, cylindrical and green with light stripes. Vine length is about 120 cm. It takes 50 days to first picking the yield potential is 200 qt/ha. Pant Khira-1 The fruits are long (20 cm), cylindrical with light white stripes. The fruits attain first picking stage in 50-60 days. Recommended seed rate is 4 kg/ha. The yield potential is150 q/ha. Pant Parthenocarpic khira-2 A parthenocarpic cucumber variety. It is suitable for polyhouse cultivation. No. of female flower per vine is 551. Average fruit wt. is 630 g and yield potential is 2107 qt/ha.

22. Parthenocarpic khira-3 A parthenocarpic cucumber variety. It is suitable for polyhouse cultivation. No. of female flower per vine is 465. Average fruit weight is 415 g and yield potential is 1992 qt/ha. Himangni . Fruits are white in colour and resistant to bronzing, suitable for kharif season, average yield 180 q/ha CO 1 Ripe fruits are bright yellow with greenish yellow intermitant stripes. Average yield 25-28 t/ha.

23. Balam khira , Delicious, Devgiri , Indam 302, Mohini , Sheetal , Snow white Swarna Ageti , Swarna , PCUC-28 Hybrids Laxmi , Ns 45, Ns 46 Greenhouse parthenocarpic varieties from Private Sector Dinamik , Kuk-9, Kuk-24, Kuk-29, Hilton, Amal , Mirna , Valleystar , Multistar , Kian, Isatis , Alpha best, Magic, Nariman Greenhouse parthenocarpic varieties from Public Sector Pant Parthenocarpic Cucumber-2, Pant Parthenocarpic Cucumber-3 Other varieties

24. Vegetative propagation The side shoot/ laterals or suckers are used as planting material. Time of using these laterals as propagation material depends largely on the purpose of taking advantage of staggered planting or relay cropping. The lateral shoots of 9-10 cm are taken from plants, but utmost care is required to avoid the cutting from virus affected plants and it is always recommended to sterilize the tools/ knife being used for making such operations either with bleaching powder or milk powder . Cocopeat may be used as the rooting media. The seedlings may be transplanted 15 days later.

25. Harvesting Generally , cucumber is ready for first harvesting in 30 to 40 days of planting depending upon climatic conditions and crop management practices. Harvesting is done when fruits are more or less cylindrical and well filled and should be carried out in early morning or late evening. The produce should immediately be moved to cool, shaded and ventilated area. As fruits are harvested manually, so these should be clipped or snapped with a slight twist motion and should not be pulled off the vines to minimize ‘pulled ends’. Fruits keep on developing as the plants grow and reach harvestable stage in 10-14 days after flower opening.

26. Disease and pest management Greenhouses or protected structures are designed in such a way to minimize or eliminate most of the insects and some of the diseases. This is possible with the use of anti-virus nylon nets of 40 to 50 mesh size (usually Ultra-violet stabilized) on all sides of the greenhouse or other low cost protected structures. Preventing the insects from entering in the greenhouse is the best way of controlling insect problem in the greenhouse for cucumber cultivation. The use of disease resistant varieties also helped to reduce disease problems.

27. Downy Mildew ( Pseudoperonospora cubensis ) Symptoms Disease appears as irregular, numerous, small, yellow areas surrounded by green tissues scattered all over the leaf lamina. It appears just like in definite mosaic pattern particularly in cucumber. The yellow areas are angular and bounded by veins. Symptoms on bitter gourd are light brown while grayish brown on pointed gourd without prominent yellowing on these hosts. In high humid weather, faint white downy growth of fungus is observed. Management Crop should be grown with wide spacing in well-drained soil. Air movement and sunlight exposure helps in checking the disease initiation and development. Bower system of cropping reduces the disease incidence. Field sanitation by burning crop debris to reduce the inoculums. Seed production should be preferably carried out in summer season because summer crop is often free from disease. Use tolerant cucumber lines like Summer Prolific. Protective spray of Mancozeb @ 0.25% at seven days interval gives good control. In severe case one spray of Metalaxyl + Mancozeb @ 0.2% may be given but it should not be repeated.

28. Powdery Mildew ( Sphaerotheca fuligena and Erysiphe cichoracearum ) Symptoms Disease appears on all foliar part as white to dull white, powdery growth. This white growth quickly covers most of the leaf surface and leads to heavy reduction in photosynthesis area. Plants may wither and die. Growth of plant and fruits seized. Transpiration rate is very fast from infected leaves. Management Foliar sprays of Penconazole @ 0.05% or Tridemorph @ 0.1% or Carbendazim @ 0.1%, give very good control of the disease. Use tolerant line.

29. Anthracnose Causal organism: Colletotrichum lagenarium , It is a destructive disease of cucurbits occurring during warm and moist seasons All aboveground plant parts can be infected Symptoms vary among the three principal cucurbits infected. Leaf lesions begin as water soaked and then become yellowish circular spots Choose anthracnose-resistant varieties if at all possible. Resistant cucumber slicers include Dasher II, Slicemaster , and Poinsett 76. Many pickling cucumbers are tolerant or resistant, Score and Premier.. Fungicides Among fungicides available are chlorothalonil (Bravo), benomyl ( Benlate ), and maneb and mancozeb formulations

30. Fruit Rots ( Phytophthora cinnamomi , Pythium , Rhizoctonia , Phomopsis cucurbitae ) Symptoms Disease is mostly observed on matured fruits as comparatively dry rotting with characteristic pycnidia over it. Generally lower portion of fruits touching soil surface are affected. P. cinnamomi is causing rotting of vines, leaves and fruits of pointed gourd, Rhizoctonia fruit rot is most severe in muskmelon, while Phomopsis fruit rot on ash gourd. Management Avoid soil contact of fruit by using bower system of cultivation and staking of plant.Provide proper drainage in the field. Green manuring followed by soil application of Trichoderma @ 5 kg/ha in soil is very effective in checking most of the fruit rotting. Collect affected fruits and burn them to reduce primary inoculum.

31. Mosaic and Leaf Distortion Symptoms Most of the cucurbits grown in rainy season are affected by virus disease like cucumber mosaic, green mottle, leaf distortion, water mosaic etc. Generally alternate green and yellow patches with mottling symptoms are observed. Sometimes leaves deform and curl downwards. Smalling and narrowing of the leaves is also observed in leaf distortion virus. Plants become small and excessive branching, proliferation of the leaves, twigs, petioles, bushy appearance of the plants are observed. Management Management of the disease involves destruction of diseased hosts and weeds. Virus free seeds must be used to check the seed transmission. Initial rouging of the infected plants. Periodical spray of systemic insecticides up to flowering stage to control vectors. Seed production should be preferably carried out in summer season because summer crop is often free from virus infection. Restricted use of exotic hybrids and varieties in bottle gourd, bitter gourd and cucumber.

32. Pest of cucumber Dacus ciliatus L. Dacus cucurbitae symptoms The maggots after hatching feed on pulp of the fruits and rendered them unfit for human consumption. Rotting of fruits The fly is active in hot and hibernates as pupae or adults during the cold months. adult Infested area Fruit fly

33. Control measures Clean cultivation- Removal and destruction of fallen fruits and infested fruits daily to minimize the pest intensity. Spraying with 0.2% carbaryl is also found effective. Deep ploughing to expose hibernating stages, Five spraying with 0.05% Malathion at 10 days interval starting from flowering are reported to reduce the intensity of infestation. Use of pheromone traps for monitoring pest population

34. Insect Name : Red Pumpkin Beetle   Scientific Name : Alucophora foveicollis The grubs feed on the roots and underground portion of host plants and fruits touching the soil. Infested parts start rotting due to secondary infection by saprophytic fungi. Infested fruits become unfit for human consumption. Adult feed on leaf lamina making irregular holes. They prefer young seedling and tender leaves and damage may even kill the seedlings. Adult

35. Management : As insects pupate in the soil, deep ploughing soon after the crop exposes and kill grubs and pupae. Apply Furadan 3G (Granule ) 3-4 cm deep in soil near base of germinated seedlings. Collect and destroy of beetles in early stage of infection. Spray Malathion @ 2 ml / liter of water for effective control. Dusting with 5% Malathion @ 10kg/ha.

36. Serpentine Leaf Miner ( Liriomyza trifolii Burgess) This is an introduced pest occurring on many cucurbit vegetables. Heavy incidence is noticed in watermelon, pumpkin, cucumber, etc. However, bitter gourd seems to be resistant. A native larval parasitoid, Hemiptarsenus vericornis is the major parasitoid on this pest. Management Soil application of neem cake @ 250 kg/ha immediately after germination. Destroy cotyledon leaves with leaf mining at 7 days after germination. Spray PNSPE @ 4% or neem soap 1% or neem formulation with 10000 ppm or more (2ml/l) after 15 days sowing and repeat after 15 days, if necessary. If the incidence is high first remove all severely infected leaves and destroy. Then mix neem soap 5 gm and hostothion 1 ml/l and spray. After one week, spray neem soap 1% or PNSPE or neem formulation with 10000 ppm or more (2ml/l). Never spray the same insecticide repeatedly.

37. Red Spider Mite ( Tetranychus neocaledonicus Andre) This pest is serious on cucurbits during warmer climate. Colonies of mites with in silk web can be observed on ventral leaf surface when incidence is high. Management Spray neem or pongamia soap at 1% on lower surface thoroughly. Alternately, spray Dimethoate 30 EC @ 2ml/l or Ethion 50 EC @ 1ml/l or Wettable Sulphur 80 WP @ 3g/l. Thrips (Thrips palmi Karny ) Both nymphs and adults feed on the young shoot tips and floral parts and is suspected vector of Tospo virus. They are serious during summer months. Management Soil application of neem cake (once immediately after germination and again at flowering) followed by NSPE @ 4% and neem soap 1% alternately at 10-15 days interval. Spray any systemic insecticides like Acephate 75 SP @ lg /l or Dimethoate 30 EC @ 2ml/l.

38. Leaf Eating Caterpillar ( Dipahania (= Margaronia ) indica Saund ) Long shining caterpillars feed on leaves and fruits. Apply neem cake to soil immediately after germination. Spray any contact insecticides like Carbaryl 50 WP @ 3g/l. Neem or pongamia soap @ 0.75% also effectively manages this pest. Soil application of neem cake (once immediately after germination and again at flowering) followed by NSPE @ 4% and neem soap 1% alternately at 10-15 days interval. Spray Carbaryl 50 WP @ 3g/l or Indoxacarb 0.5 ml/l.

39. Root-knot Nematodes ( Meloidogyne incognita) The root-knot nematodes cause root galls from the initial stages of the crop growth. The larvae feed on the roots, which show typical galls, and later the entire root system shows heavy galling. The foliage becomes light yellowish; the plants become stunted and results in flower and fruit drop. In spite of irrigation the plants appear sick and drooping during daytime. Management Seed treatment with bio-pesticide Pseudomonas fluorescens @ 10g/kg seed. Apply Carbofuran 3 G @ 1kg ai /ha at sowing and repeat after 45 days. Apply 2 tons of FYM enriched with Pochonia chlamydosporia and Paecilomyces lilacinus per acre before sowing, along with 100-200 kg of neem or pongamia cake.

40. Symptoms some time fruits of cucumber have bitter taste. Causes This disorder is prevalent under cool weather at high elevations . Open pollination and excessive use of nitrogenous fertilizer are cause this disorder. Management Judicious application of nitrogenous fertilizer and controlled self pollination would help to reduce bitterness. Bitterness

41. Symptoms This disorder is more serious in cucumbers qualitative losses due to production of variously curved fruit. Causes Curved fruit are the result of imperfect pollination and fertilization. High soil moisture ,poor nutrition and adverse temperature favour the development of crooked-fruits. Management Optimum irrigation and nutrition scheduling may prove helpful. Keep the crop free from insect pest. Crooked fruit or crooking or curvature

42. Symptoms Cucurbits are highly susceptible to low temperature or frost injury. Causes Freezing of cell sap results in rupture of the cell membrane. Control Applying irrigation, smoking in the field and spray of frost-preventive chemical. Frost or low temperature injury Pillow disorder - Calcium deficiency

43. Symptoms The cracking is mostly vertical initiated from the basal part of the fruit. The slit is wide enough to expose seed and other internal tissues. Cracking makes the fruits prone to microbial infection and unfit for consumption.. Fruit splitting or cracking

44. Cause Heavy rainfall or Rain after a long period of water stress causes fruits to splits. Calcium deficiency aggravates the disorder. Management Improving moisture conservation in soil will help reduce cracking. If the crop is irrigated after a long stress , apply 2-3 light irrigation instead of one heavy irrigation.

45. Symptoms The disorder is common in dark and uniformly coloured cultivars of cucumber. The side of the fruit touching moist, cool soil turns to yellow or whitish yellow. The uniform green colour of the fruit with is distorted making the fruit less attractive. Light belly colour

46. Causes Direct contract of the fruits with moisture , soil suppresses development of normal fruit colour . Delay in turning the fruits in field encourages this disorder. Management Use of plastic mulch can check contact of fruit with moiture soil helping to avoid this disorder Use varieties less susceptical to this disorder. Turn the fruit in field from time to time Do not delay harvesting of fruits

47. Symptoms This refers to formation of abnormal- shaped fruits with reduced market value. Fruit may be bottle shaped, pitcher shaped, knobby, pointed at the blossom end or excessively elongated. Misshapen fruits

48. Causes Environmental factor adversely affecting pollination and fertilization results in misshapen fruits High plant population or dense plant canopy not providing sufficient space to developing fruits forces abnormal growth of the fruits Negligence in using growth hormones and herbicides also causes distortion of the fruit. Management Keep the optimum plant population Maintain uniform soil moisture throughout the crop period. Carefully check the concentration , time of application and crop sensitivity before using growth regulator or herbicide.

49. BOTTLE GOURD B.N. – Lagenaria siceraria (Mol.) Standl . Family – Cucurbitaceae Monoecious ; DNP Isolation distance – F – 800 m C – 400 m 2n = 22 ; Origin – S. Africa Bottle gourd or calabash is a delicately flavored, cucurbita family vegetable. It is one of the chief culinary vegetables in many tropical and temperate regions around the world . Bottle gourd is a fast growing, annual climber (vine) that requires adequate sunlight for flowering and fruiting. It can be grown under wide range of soils and require trellis to support spread. Its intensely branched stems bear musky, deep green, broad leaves just similar as that in pumpkins, and white, monoecious flowers in the summer. After about 75 days from the plantation, young, tender, edible fruits evolve that will be ready for harvesting.

50. Bottle gourds come in wide range of shapes and sizes . The fruit features oval, pear shaped or elongated and smooth skin that is light green in color. In case of round or pear sahped calabash, their surface is marked by incospicuous ridges that run lengthwise. Internally, its flesh is white, spongy and embedded with soft, tiny seeds. The fruits are used as a vegetable or making sweets (e.g. halwa , kheer , pedha and barfi ) and pickles. As a vegetable, it is easily digestible even by patients. The dry hard shells are used to make musical instruments, pipes, bowls, bottles, containers, floats for fishing nets etc. Kofta is a most popular preparation. Good source of fibre free carbohydrates and fruit pericarp for crude fibre . Oil extracted from kernels of seed is used as hair oil.

51. CLIMATE AND SOIL Loam or sandy loam soil is most suitable. Too much acidic soil pH is not suitable (less than 5.5). Seed germination is fast at 25-30ºC. Night temperature of 18-22ºC and day temperature of 30-35ºC is optimum. Day temp above 40ºC may cause scorching of leaves. Optimum temperature has higher proportion of female flowers and fruits/plant. Higher temperature induces maleness. It is grown in summer and rainy season. In summer, the crop is sown in Dec-Jan and in rainy season in June-July.

52. VARIETIES Arka Bahar Kalyanpur Hari Lambi – fruits slightly dark green in color NDBG 1 – gives early yield in upland conditions ; highly preferred for diara cultivation NDBG 4 PBOG 1 Phule BTG 1 - produces comparatively more female flowers at basal nodes Punjab Komal – variety with shortest duration from fruit set to maturity , 70DAS Punjab Long

53. Punjab Round Pusa Manjari – high yielding hybrid , round fruited Pusa Meghdoot – F1 hybrid between Pusa Summer Prolific Long and Sel. 2. Pusa Naveen – perfectly cylindrical fruit, free from crook neck Pusa Summer Prolific Long – can be grown in rainy season also. Pusa Summer Prolific Round – prolific bearer and heavy yielder. Rajendra Chamatkar Kalyanpur Long Green – developed at CSAUAT Vegetable Research Station, Kalyanpur , Kanpur Samrat – released from Mahatma Phule Krishi Vidyapeeth , Rahuri ; Box packing Pusa Hybrid 3 – for distant market, very early maturing Anand BG – 1 Junagadh Long Tender

54. Seed rate – 3- 3.5 kg/ha 450-500 seeds/100 g Spacing – 2 x 1 m. After germination, the vine may be trained on bower. 20 t/ha FYM alongwith 100:50:50 kg/ha NPK is to be applied. The first half dose of N must be applied as basal while the other half 30DAS. The crop requires frequent irrigation as high humidity is needed for prolific bearing. During hot and humid weather, irrigation after every third or fourth day is needed. Fruit set can be improved by spraying the plants with MH (400 ppm) alongwith 100kg N/ha.

55. The crop is ready for harvest approx. 60-70 DAS. The fruits take 12-15 days after fruit setting to reach marketable stage. Fruits should be picked after every 3-4 days. Smaller and tender fruits fetch a better price in the market. Yield – 20t/ha ; hybrids – 40-50 t/ha

56. BITTER GOURD Also called Balsam Pear, Bitter cucumber, bitter melon B.N. – Momordica charantia L. Family – Cucubitaceae 2n = 22 Origin – Indo – Burma Grown for its tender fruits. Turn to orange yellow color when ripe Cheratin – effective against diabetes. Monoecious nature Fresh : dehyrated fruit ratio – 16:1 Bitter principle – Momordicin Fruits rich in Fe.

57. CLIMATE AND SOIL warm season crop Optimum temperature – 25-30ºC Temperature <18ºC – slow growth, poor yield and >36ºC, reduction in female flowers. Long days – male flowers Low temperature (20ºC) and short days – female flowers Sandy loam soils are most suitable pH – 6.5-7

58. SOWING July – Sept or Jan – Feb Seed rate – 4-5 kg/ha Seed treatment – thiram @ 2g/kg 4 seeds/pit are sown and later 2-3 may be retained. Instead of sowing in the main field, the seeds can be sown in polythene bags and can be shifted to pits in the main field after 15-20 days. Spacing – 2 x 1.5 m The crop should be irrigated immediately after planting in summer and subsequently at 2-3 days interval.

59. VARIETIES Pusa Do Mausami – grows well in summer as well as rainy season Pride of Surat Pride of Gujarat Arka Harit Pusa Vishesh – suitable for summer season Phule Green – MPKV, Rahuri Phule Green Gold Priya – 40 cm long fruits Preethi – white Kalyanpur sona – stuffing Priyanka – white Coimbatore Long white – extra long fruits Pusa hybrid – 1,2 Konkan Tara – export ; from Konkan Krishi Vidyapeeth , Dapoli , MH MDU 1 – induced mutant ; greenish white spiny fruits Coimbatore Green – extra long fruits upto 60 cm Harkani – from MPKV, Rahuri RHR BGH 1 – from MPKV, Rahuri ; F1 hybrid ; tolerant to downy mildew

60. 20 t/ha FYM alongwith 60:60:60 kg/ha NPK. Application of growth regulators at 2-4 leaf stage play an important role in sex expression and sex ratio. MH @ 50-150 ppm and CCC @ 50-100 ppm increase female:male ratio. Ethrel @ 25 ppm increases female flowers. MH @ 150-250 ppm when applied at 2 leaf stage in ‘ Pusa Do Mausami ’ induces the formation of female flowers. Flowering – 45-55 DAS First picking could be taken 60-70 days after planting. Yield – 10-15 t/ha ; hybrids – 20-30 t/ha

61. RIDGE GOURD B.N. - Luffa acutangula Roxb . Family – Cucurbitaceae 2n = 26 Monoecious Origin – Asia Contains luffein . Commercially trained on kniffin system. Fruits are ribbed and called kali tori. Contains 18mg/100g Vitamin C. The genus derives its name from the product ‘ loofah ’, which is used in bathing sponges, scrubber pads, doormats, pillows, mattresses and also for cleaning utensils.

62. CLIMATE & SOIL Grows very well in warm hot climate. Optimum temperature – 25 – 30ºC Higher temperature >38ºC produces male flowers. Sandy loam soil, rich in OM is most suited. Proper drainage is highly beneficial. pH – 6.5-7

63. SOWING Time – July – Sept ; Jan – Feb Seed rate – 3-5 kg/ha Spacing – 1.5 x 0.5 m or 1.5 x 1 m Sow 4 seeds/pit ; retain only 2 healthy seedlings. Seeds can also be raised in polybags which further reduces seed rate to 1.5 kg/ha VARIETIES Pusa Nasdar – suitable for summer and rainy season CO 1 Satputia – hermaphrodite ; smaller fruits in clusters , pale green fruits

64. Konkan Harita – developed by Konkan Krishi Vidyapeeth , Dapoli , MH; gives first harvest at 45 days after planting Punjab Sadabahar – rich in protein IIHR – 8 – high yielding, good market value, good cooking quality especially stuffing PKM 1 Pusa Sadabahar Hisar Kalitori Gujarat Anand RG-1 GJRGH – 1 Pant Toria 1 Arka Sujat Arka Sumeet Swarna Manjari Swarna Uphar Pusa Nutan Surekha – hybrid

65. FYM @ 20t/ha alongwith 50:25:25 kg/ha NPK. Half N as basal dose and the other half 30 days after planting. NAA (200 ppm) helps maintain sex ratio. The crop is ready for harvest in about 60-90 days after planting. The fruit attains marketable maturity about 5-7 days after anthesis of female flower. Picking should be done after every 3-4 days. Avg. yield – 10- 15 t/ha Hybrids – 20-30 t/ha

66. SPONGE GOURD B.N. – Luffa cylindrica Roem . Family – Cucurbitaceae Fruits are smooth and called ghia tori. Contains luffein . 2n = 26 Origin – Asia Has higher protein and carotene than ridge gourd. Monoecious Also called towel gourd, smooth loofah , vegetable sponge, dish cloth gourd.

67. CLIMATE & SOIL Grows very well in warm hot climate. Optimum temperature – 25 – 30ºC Higher temperature >38ºC produces male flowers. Sandy loam soil, rich in OM is most suited. Proper drainage is highly beneficial. pH – 6.5-7 Frost susceptible.

68. SOWING Time – July – Sept ; Jan – Feb Seed rate – 3-5 kg/ha Spacing – 1.5 x 0.5 m or 1.5 x 1 m Sow 4 seeds/pit ; retain only 2 healthy seedlings. Seeds can also be raised in polybags which further reduces seed rate to 1.5 kg/ha VARIETIES Pusa Sneha Phule Prajakta – MPKV, Rahuri Kalyanpur Hari Chikni

69. Pusa Chikni – high yielding, early maturing, bears flowers 45DAS, summer and rainy season Gujarat Galka 1 Pusa Supriya – summer and kharif , improvement over Pusa Chikni , ready for first picking at 47-55 DAS Rajendra Nenua 1 HYBRIDS Harita PGS 40 Divyanka Azad Tarai 1, 2

70. FYM @ 20t/ha alongwith 50:25:25 kg/ha NPK. Half N as basal dose and the other half 30 days after planting. Ethrel ( 250 ppm) helps maintain sex ratio. The crop is ready for harvest in about 60-90 days after planting. The fruit attains marketable maturity about 5-7 days after anthesis of female flower. Picking should be done after every 3-4 days. Avg. yield – 10- 15 t/ha Hybrids – 20-30 t/ha

71. CHOW CHOW B.N. – Sechium edule Swartz. Family – Cucurbitaceae 2n = 24 Origin – Mexico Single seeded fruit Most nutritious among cucurbits. Perennial climbing vine with tuberous roots ; Monoecious High calcium content Also called Chayote, Choco, askas Propagation by fruits ( vivipary ) Pear shaped fruits

72. Fruits, tubers, seeds and leaves have been long used by the native Americans. Seeds are even considered a delicacy. Varieties – Round white Long white Pointed green Broad Green Oval green In Bangalore, 2 types green and creamy green are grown. Requires well drained soil rich in OM pH – 5.5 – 6.5 Spacing – 3.5 x 2 m Plants require support by poles or trellis

73. Vines start flowering in 3-4 months and production is continuous. In Bangalore, planting is done all around the year, but preferably July. A single fruit weighs 200-450 g Yield – 20-25 t/ha