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 melons 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 posses 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

Plough land and bring soil to fine tilth. Apply well decomposed cow dung@8-10kg/acre at time of field preparation. Prepared raised bed of 30-40cm width for cultivation. Seeds can be sown on furrow or in Pits. 

Fertilizer Requirement (kg/acre)

Nutrient Requirement (kg/acre)

Crop required well decomposed cow dung @8-10ton/acre, Nitrogen@32kg (Urea@70kg), Phosphorus@ 24kg (SSP@150kg) and Potash@24kg/acre (MOP@40kg). 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.

It need frequent irrigation as it is short duration crop. If seed are sown on pre-irrigated furrows, apply first irrigation on second or third day after sowing. Depending upon climate, soil type, in summer season provides irrigation with interval of 4-5days. Squash melon responds 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 15-20days after sowing. Give remaining weedings depending upon weed intensity. 

• Insect Pest and their control:

• Disease and their control

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

Keep isolation distance of 800m from other vaieties of squash melon. Removed 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 settle in bottom are collected for seed purpose.