SQUASH MELON

Squash melon also known as round melon, round gourd, Indian squash. It is important summer vegetable of north India. In Punjab it is called as "tinda". Squash melon's origin is present in India. It belongs to family of Cucurbitaceae. Its raw fruits are used for vegetable purpose. 100gm of immature fruits contains Proteins@1.4%, fat@0.4%, carbohydrates@3.4%, carotene@13mg and vitamin@18mg. Fruits also possess medicinal property, they are used against dry cough and also for improving blood circulation. 

For good growth and yield it required well drained, rich organic matter contained sandy loam soils. pH of soil in range of 6 to 7 is ideal for optimum growth of crop. It also gives good results when grown on lands having water table near to soil.

Australian Green

Pusa Alankar

Pusa Pasand

Hisar Selection: Gives average yield of 30-40 qtl/acre.

Bikaneri Green: Fruits are green in color and gives average yield of 30-40 qtl/acre.

Hisar Tinda: High yielding variety, its fruits are round, light green color, soft and juicy. It can be grown in summer and rainy season. Resistant to downy mildew and root not disease.

Other States Variety

Arka Tinda: Developed at Indian Institute of Horticulture Research, Bangalore.

Anamalai Tinda

Mahyco Tinda

Swati : Fruits are of dark green color. Ready to harvest in two month. 

 

Plough land and bring soil to fine tilth. Apply well decomposed cow dung@8-10kg/acre at time of field preparation. Prepared raised bed for cultivation. Seeds can be sown on furrow or in Pits.

Time of sowing
In north India, it can be cultivated for two times. It is sown in February-March and also in June-July.

Spacing
Sow seeds on both side of bed and use spacing of 45cm.

Sowing Depth
Seeds are sown at depth of 2-3cm.

Method of Sowing
Seeds are directly sown on bed or ridge.
 

Seed Rate
For sowing one acre, use seed rate of 1.5-2 kg is sufficient.

Seed treatment
Before sowing soaked seeds in water for 12-24 hours. It will increased germination percentage.

To protect seeds from soil borne fungus, treat seeds with Carbendazim@2gm/kg of seeds or Thiram@2.5gm/kg of seeds before sowing. After chemical treatment, treat seeds with Trichoderma Viride@4gm/kg of seeds or Pseudomonas fluroscens@10gm/kg of seeds.

Fertilizer Requirment (kg/acre)

Nutrient Requirement (kg/acre)

Overall squash crop required Nitrogen@40kg in form of Urea@90kg/acre, Phosphorus@20kg in form of SSP@125kg/acre and Potash@20kg in form of MOP@35kg/acre. Apply one third dose of Nitrogen and full dose of Phosphorus and Potash at time of sowing. Apply remaining dose of Nitrogen during early period of growth.  

It need frequent irrigation as it is short duration crop. If seeds are sown on pre-irrigated furrows, apply first irrigation on second or third day after sowing. Depending upon climate, soil type, in summer season provide irrigation with interval of 4-5 days. In rainy season provide irrigation depending upon rainfall frequency. Squash melon respond well to drip irrigation and it improves yield by 28%. 

Use of black polythene mulch will help to control weeds problem also it will help to conserved moisture. To make field weed free, do hand weeding and keep check on weeds. Carry out first hand weeding 15-20 days after sowing. Give remaining weedings depending upon weed intensity.

 

• Pest and their control:
  

Aphid and Thrips: They suck the sap from the leaves resulting in yellowing and drooping of leaves. Thrips results in curling of leaves, leaves become cup shaped or curved upward.
If infestation is observed in field, to control spray the crop with Thiamethoxam@5gm/15Ltr of water.

• Disease and their control:
  

Powdery Mildew: Patchy, White powdery growth appears on upper surface of leaves also on main stem of infected plant. It parasitizes the plant using it as a food source. In severe infestation it causes defoliation and premature fruit ripening.
If infestation is observed take spray of water soluble Sulphur@20gm/10Ltr of water 2-3 times with interval of 10 days.

Anthracnose: Anthracnose affected foliage appears scorched appearance. 
As a preventive measure, treat seed with Carbendazim@2gm/kg of seed. If infestation is observed in field, take spray of Mancozeb@2gm or Carbendazim@4gm/liter of water.

Depending upon variety fruits are ready for harvesting within 60 days of sowing. Carryout harvesting when fruits are tender and of medium size. Carry out picking at interval of 4-5 days.

Keep isolation distance of 800m from other varieties of squash melon. Remove diseased plants from field. When fruits are mature i.e they changes their color into dull. Then they are crushed with hands in fresh water and then separate seeds from pulp. Seeds which are settled in bottom are collected for seed purpose.