Ash gourd also known as white gourd, winter melon or fuzzy melon. It is native from Southeast Asia. It is a rich source of Fat, protein, carbohydrates and fibre. Ash gourd have several medicine properties. As it contain low calories, it is good for diabetic patients. It is used to treat constipation, acidity and to kill intestinal worms. Popular “Petha” is made from Ash gourd
PAG-3 (2003): The medium-length vines have green leaves. The fruits are appealing, spherical, and of average size. From planting until harvesting, 145 days pass. Fruits weigh 10 kg on average and produce 120 q/acre on average.
POPULAR VARIETIES DEVELOPED BY ICAR IIHR BANGLORE
Kashi Surbhi: Fruits oblong, ellipsoid, rind greenish white, flesh white; Average fruit weight 10-12.kg; Fruits are suitable for long distance transportation; It has yield potential of 240 q/acre (Kharif season) and 210-200 q/acre (summer season).
Kashi Dhawal: This variety is derived from a local collection. The vine length is 7.5-8 m. Fruits are oblong, flesh white, thickness 8.5-8.7 cm, seed arrangements linear, average weight 11-12 kg crop duration 120 days and yield 230-240 q/ha. This is suitable for preparation of Petha sweets due to high flesh recovery.
Other States variety
CO 1, CO 2, Pusa Ujjwal, Kashi Ujawal, MAH 1, IVAG 502
Seed Rate
Seed rate of 2 kg is sufficient for one acre land.
Seed Treatment
To protect seeds from soil borne fungus, treat seeds with Carbendazim@2gm/kg of seeds. After chemical treatment, treat seeds with Trichoderma Viride@4gm/kg of seeds or Pseudomonas fluroscens@10gm/kg of seeds.
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 two seeds per hill on one side of bed which is 3 m wide and use spacing of 75-90 cm.
Sowing Depth
Seeds are sown at depth of 1-2 cm.
Method of Sowing
Seeds are directly sown on bed.
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.
Climate –
Temperature – 15-35°C
Sowing Temperature – 15 – 20°C
Harvesting Temperature – 22-35°C
Rainfall – 100- 150cm
Fertilizer Requirement (kg/acre)
| UREA | SSP | MOP |
| 90 | 125 | 35 |
Nutrient Requirement (kg/acre)
| NITROGEN | PHOSPHORUS | POTASH |
| 40 | 20 | 20 |
Overall it 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 half dose of Nitrogen and full dose of Phosphorus and Potash at time of bed preparation. Apply remaining dose of Nitrogen when crop is at flowering stage.
Irrigate the basins before dibbling the seeds and thereafter once a week.
Varieties : 30 – 35 t/ha
Hybrids : 80-90 t/ha
Matured fruits can be stored over sand bed at ambient condition.
Nursery raising
In hi-tech horticulture, use 12 days old healthy seedlings obtained from shade net
houses for planting. Raise the seedlings in protrays having 98 cells. Use well decomposed
cocopeat as medium. Sow one seed per cell. Water regularly twice a day. Transplant about
12 days old seedlings in the main field
1) Leef beetles:
If infestation is observed, to controlled take spray of Malathion 50EC@1ml/ltr or Dimethoate 30EC@2ml/lit of water.
2)Aphid:
If infestation is observed, take spray of Imidacloprid@0.5ml/ltr of water.
1)Powdery Mildew:
Patchy, white powdery growth appear 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.
2) Downy mildew:
If infestation is observed, take spray of Mancozeb or Chlorothalonil@2gm/ltr of water, two times with 10 days interval.
Crop Growing districts Erode, Coimbatore, Villupuram
Major markets in Tamil Nadu Periyar Vegetable Market, Koyambedu, Chennai Natchipalayam vegetable market, Coimbatore Preferred Varieties and hybrids Co 1 and Co 2