It is a popular vegetable crop in India which is grown in rainy season. It is also known as” HalwaKaddu” or “Kaddu” in hindi and it belongs to cucurbitaceae family. India is the second largest producer of pumpkin. It is used for cooking purpose and is used to make sweets. It is good source of Vitamin A and potassium. Pumpkin helps to boost eye vision, lowers blood pressure and has antioxidant properties. Its leaves, young stems, fruit juice and flowers contain medicinal properties.

It requires loamy soil having good drainage system and is rich in organic matter. Soil pH of 6-7 is optimum for pumpkin cultivation.

Arka Suryamukhi: It has round flat fruits, which has an average weight of 1kg. Fruits turn deep purple at maturity. Brown color stripes are seen on fruits and shining purple from inside. The variety is resistant to fruit fly pest. It gives an average yield of 96qtl/acre. The variety matures in 100-105 days. 

Arka Chandan: This variety has an average weight of 2.5-3.5gm. Fruits are round in shape which is light purple in color and brown spots are seen at the time of maturity. The internal color of fruit is shining purple in color. The variety matures in 90-100 days.

Pusa Vikas: Released by IARI, New Delhi. It has small fruits which are flat in shape. Fruits have yellow color flesh and the average weight is 2kg per fruit. The variety is suitable for growing in north regions in February to June month. It gives an average yield of 120qtl/acre.

Other state varieties:

CO 2: Released in 1974. The average weight of each fruit is 1.5-2kg. The fruit contains orange color flesh. It gives an average yield of 100qtl/acre. The variety gets mature in 135 days.

CO1, ArkaSuryamukhi, PusaViswesh, TCR 011, Ambilli and ArkaChandan are the important varieties of Pumpkin.

Well prepared land is required for pumpkin farming. To bring the soil to fine tilth, ploughings with local tractor is required.

Time of sowing:
In plain areas sowing is done in February to May month and in hilly areas sowing is done in April-May month.

Spacing:
Sow two seeds on per hill and use spacing of 60cm. For hybrid varieties, sow seeds on both side of bed and use spacing of 45cm.

Sowing depth:
Seeds are sown 1 inch deep in the soil.

Method of sowing:
•    Direct sowing
 

Seed rate:
Seed rate of 400-500gm seed is sufficient for one acre land.

Seed treatment:
Treatment with Benlate or Bavistin @2.5 gm/kg of seed is used to cure from soil borne diseases.
 

Fertilizer Requirement (kg/acre)

Nutrient Requirement (kg/acre)

Application of well rotten FYM@8-10tonnes/acre is used before preparation of beds. Fertilizer dose of Nitrogen @20kg/acre in the form of urea @45kg/acre, Phosphorus @16kg/acre in the form of SSP@100kg/acre and Potassium @16kg/acre in the form of MOP@20kg/acre is added. Nitrogen dose is applied in 2 equal splits. First half dose is applied before sowing and then remaining dose of nitrogen is applied as top dressing within one month.

Proper irrigation at proper intervals of time is required. Immediate irrigation is required after seed sowing. Depending upon the season, subsequent irrigations at the interval of 6-7 days is required. In total 8-10 irrigation are required.

To control the weeds, frequent weeding or earthing up operation is required. Weeding is done with the help of hoe or by hands. First weeding is done after 2-3 weeks of seed sowing. In total 3-4 weedings are required to make the field weed free.

• Pest and their control:
  

Aphids 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.

Pumpkin flies: They cause sunken brown color spots on fruits and white maggot gets develop on the fruit.

Foliar application of Neem oil @3.0% is given to cure the crop from fruit fly pest.

• 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.

Downy mildew: Caused by Pseudopernospora cubensis. Symptoms are mottling and purplish color spots are seen on lower surface of the leaves.

If infestation is observed, 400gm Dithane M-45 or Dithane Z-78 is used to get rid of this disease.

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@3gm/liter of water.

Wilt: Root rotting is a result of this disease.

If infestation is observed then drenching with M-45@400gm mixed 100ltr of water is done.

Harvesting is mainly done when skin of the fruits turns pale brown in color and the inner flesh becomes golden yellow in color. Mature fruits having good storage capacity therefore they can be used for long distance transportation. Harvesting of immature fruits is also done for sale purpose.

Keep isolation distance of 1000m for foundation and 500m for certified seed production from other varieties of pumpkin. 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.