Agriculture

Ash-Gourd1.jpg

ASH GOURD

General Information

Ash gourd is also known as white gourd, winter melon, and fuzzy melon or petha kaddu. It is native from Southeast Asia. It is a rich source of Fat, protein, carbohydrates and fibre. Ash gourd has several medicine properties. As it contain low calorie, it is good for diabetics patients. It is used to treat constipation, acidity and to kill intestinal worms. Popular "Petha" is made from Ash gourd. Two type of ash gourds are available, purple green and green.
 
In Uttar Pradesh, it is cultivated on larger scale and it is mainly used for making "Petha".

Climate

  • Season

    Temperature
    15-35°C
  • Season

    Rainfall
    100-150cm
  • Season

    Sowing Temperature

    15-20°C
  • Season

    Harvesting Temperature
    22-35°C
  • Season

    Temperature
    15-35°C
  • Season

    Rainfall
    100-150cm
  • Season

    Sowing Temperature

    15-20°C
  • Season

    Harvesting Temperature
    22-35°C
  • Season

    Temperature
    15-35°C
  • Season

    Rainfall
    100-150cm
  • Season

    Sowing Temperature

    15-20°C
  • Season

    Harvesting Temperature
    22-35°C
  • Season

    Temperature
    15-35°C
  • Season

    Rainfall
    100-150cm
  • Season

    Sowing Temperature

    15-20°C
  • Season

    Harvesting Temperature
    22-35°C

Soil

It can grow on variety of soils but gives best results when grown on sandy loam soils. Ideal pH range of soil is about 6 to 6.5.

Popular Varieties With Their Yield

Kashi Ujawal: Fruits are round with less seeds. It is ready to harvest in 130-140 days. Gives average yield of 240-244 Quintal/acre.
 
Other States variety
 
CO 1, CO 2, Pusa Ujjwal, MAH 1, IVAG 502

Land Preparation

To bring soil to fine tilth, carry out ploughing operation for three-fourth time. Before last ploughing add, well decomposed cowdung@20kg along with neem cake@40kg/acre.

Sowing

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
Keep distance of 1.5-2.5 m between the rows and used plant to plant distance of 60-120 cm. Sow two seeds per hill on both side of bed. 
 
Sowing Depth
Seed is sown at depth of 1-2 cm. 
 
Method of Sowing 
Seed is directly sown on bed.

Seed

Seed Rate
Seed rate of 2 kg to 2.5 kg is sufficient for one acre land.

Seed Treatment
To protect seed from soil borne fungus, treat seed with Carbendazim@2 gram/kg of seed. After chemical treatment, treat seed with Trichoderma Viride@4 gram/kg of seed or Pseudomonas fluroscens@10 gram/kg of seed.

Fertilizer

Fertilizer Requirement (kg/acre)

UREA SSP MOP
70 150 40

 

Nutrient Requirement (kg/acre)

NITROGEN PHOSPHORUS POTASH
32 24 24

 

Crop required well decomposed cow dung @8-10 ton/acre, Nitrogen@32 kg (Urea@70 kg), Phosphorus@ 24 kg (SSP@150 kg) and Potash@24 kg/acre (MOP@40 kg). Apply well decomposed cow dung, full dose of Potash and Phosphorus, and one-third of Nitrogen, two to three week before seed sowing. Apply remaining dose of Nitrogen in two equal splits. Provide first dose 25-30days after sowing and second dose 40-50days after sowing.

Irrigation

After sowing, carry out irrigation with interval of three to four days. Depending upon climate and soil type, in summer season provide irrigation with interval of 7-10 days in vegetative stage. In rainy season provide irrigation depending upon rainfall frequency. Flowering and fruiting stage are critical for irrigation. Avoid water stress at this stage.

Weed Control

Depending upon weed intensity, carry out hand or hoe weeding operation. Mulching is best way to keep check on weed growth along with water saving.

Plant protection

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  • Pest and their control:
Leef beetles: If infestation is observed, to controlled take spray of Malathion 50EC@1ml/ltr or Dimethoate 30EC@1ml/lit of water
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Aphid: If infestation is observed, take spray of Imidachloprid@0.5ml/ltr of water.
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  • 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 Dinocap@1ml/lit or Carbendazim@0.5gm/lit of water.
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Downy mildew: If infestation is observed, take spray of Mancozeb or Chlorothalonil@2gm/ltr of water, two times with 10 days interval.

Harvesting

Depending upon variety, crop is ready for harvesting in 90-100days. Depending upon market requirement, fruits can be harvested at immature or mature stage. Mature fruits are mostly stored for seed production purpose. Cut the fruits from vines with help of sharp knife.

Post-Harvest

Fruit can be stored for three months at temperature of 13-15oC with relative humidity of 70-75%.

Seed production

For seed production purpose, sow seed in February-March month. Disease or unwanted Plants are removed at time of flowering, fruiting and maturity stage. When fruits and stem surface give white waxy appearance, fruits are ready for harvesting. Seed is separated and then wash with water. Wash seed is dry and then clean before storing. Seed is store in low temperature and low humidity conditions

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