Ridge gourd belongs to family “Cucurbitaceae”. It is important annual crop of India. Its immature fruits are used for cooking purpose.Along with fruit, its leaves and stems are used for vegetable purpose. Also,it possesses medicinal property i.e. it helps in blood purification. Also help to reduce weight. It is rich in dietary fiber.

It is popular crop and have great demand in local market. In Maharashtra, near about 1150 hectare area  is under ridge gourd cultivation. Ahmednagar, Jalgaon, Gondia, Nandurbar, Nashik and Parbhani are major ridge gourd cultivating areas of Maharashtra.

It can be sown on wide range of soils. It gives best result when grown in sandy loam soil. Ideal pH range of soil is 6.5-7.5. 

PusaNasdar: Mid season variety. Suitable for kharif season.

Swarna Manjari: Fruits are medium size, green color with soft pulp and less fiber. It is tolerant to powdery mildew. Ready for first harvest in 65-70days after sowing. Gives average yield of 70-80qtl/acre.

CO 1: Light green, long fruits with average weight of 300gm. Gives average yield of 55qtl/acre.

Panvel local variety: High yielding variety, popular among farmers. Fruit are attractive with good taste.

PusaChikani, PusaSuchita, KokanHarita

Other state varieties:

PusaNutan: Fruits are attractive straight, green color. It is suitable for summer as well as kharif sowing. Ready to harvest in 45-60days. Gives average yield of 65qtl/acre.

Swarna Uphar: Ready for first harvest in 65-70days after sowing. Gives average yield of 80-120qtl/acre. 

Hisar Kalitori: Suitable for rainfed areas. Fruits are straight, long and thin. Tolerant to powdery mildew. Gives average yield of 30-40qtl/acre.

Pant toria: Ready for first harvest in 65days after sowing. Gives average yield of 40qtl/acre.

Gujrat Anand Ridge Gourd 1: Medium size, green color fruits. It is resistant to mosaic and downey mildew. Gives average yield of 60qtl/acre.

CO 2: Long, greenish and fleshy fruits. Gives average yield of 100qtl/acre.

PKM 1: Long, dark green fruits. Gives average yield of 110qtl/acre. 

Plough land for 3-4 times and bring soil to fine tilth. After ploughing make land levelled to avoid water stagnation field.

Time of sowing:

For summer season, complete sowing in January – February month. For Kharif season, June-July is optimum time for cultivation.

Spacing:

Use row to row spacing of 2.5-3.5m and plant to plant spacing of 80 to 120cm.

Sowing depth:

Sow 2-3 seeds at depth of 1-2cm in pit of 60cm diameter.After germination, remove weak seedling and keep healthy one.

Method of sowing:

Direct sowing of seeds on raised furrow bed.

Seed rate:

For one acre land, use seed rate of 1.2 to 1.5kg of seeds.

Seed treatment:

Soak seeds in cold water for 24hours before sowing.

Fertilizer Requirement (kg/acre)

Nutrient Requirement (kg/acre)

At time of field preparation, apply well decomposed cow dung @10-12ton/acre. Overall, crop requiredNitrogen@24kg/acre (Urea@55kg), Phosphorus@10kg (SSP@65kg)andPotash@10kg (MOP@20kg)per acre. 

Apply half dose of Nitrogen and full dose of Phosphorus and Potash at time of field preparation. Apply remaining amount of Nitrogen, 30days after seed sowing.

Apply fertilizer dose away from seeds at distance of 8-10cm.

In kharif season crop does not required irrigation. Provide irrigation in case of long dry spell. In rainy season avoid water stagnation in field. Provide proper drainage.

In summer season, after sowing, immediate irrigation is necessary. In summer, apply irrigation at interval of 4-7days. And in winter apply water with interval of 8-10days.

To control the weeds, 2-3 hoeings are required at the initial stages of plant growth. Avoid deep intercultural operations. 

Earthing up is also an effective way which should be carried out in rainy season. To control, weed chemically, take spray of Butachlor@0.8kg/acre, within 48hours after seed sowing.

Stacking: Stacking provide support to long vines also help to reduced fruit rot. Provide stacking at distance of 1.2 to 1.8meter.

• Pests and their control:

Fruit fly:They feed themselves on internal tissues of fruits which cause premature fruit dropping and rotting and yellowing of fruits.

Treatment: Spray with Carbaryl@10% @ 600-700gm in 150ltr water per acre.

Aphids: They suck the sap of the plant which results in curling and crinkling of leaves.

Treatment: Spray of Dimethoate@200-250ml in 150ltr water is done to get rid of aphids. 

Pumpkin beetles: The beetles destroy the roots by feeding on themselves.

Treatment: Spray with Carbaryl@10% @ 600-700gm in 150ltr water per acre.

• Diseases and their control:

Downy mildew: Chlorotic spots are the symptoms of this disease.

Treatment: Spray with Mancozeb@400gm in 150ltr water per acre.

Powdery mildew: Small, white color spots are seen on leaves and stems are the symptoms of this disease.

Treatment: Spraying of M-45 or Z-78@400-500gm is used to get rid of this disease.

Mosaic:The disease causes stunted growth and yield gets reduced.

Treatment: Spray of Dimethoate@200-250ml in 150ltr water is done to get rid of mosaic.

Alternaria Blight: In severe infestation, it gives appearance of burnt charcoal. If infestation observed, take spray of Indofil M 45@2.5gm/Ltr of water.

Depending upon variety and season, crop is ready for harvesting in 70-80days after sowing. According to market requirement, medium and tender fruits are harvested. In peak season, picking should be done at interval of 4-5days. Avoid over maturing of fruits.

After harvesting do sorting and grading depending upon fruits size and color.To increased self life for two to three weeks, stored ridge gourd at temperature of 12-13^oC with 80-90% relative humidity. For transportation pack fruits in wooden or bamboo basket with neem leaves or news paper at bottom of box.