MUSKMELON

Varieties : Pusa Sharbati, Pusa Madhuras, Pusa Rasraj (F1), Hara Madhu, Punjab Sunheri, Punjab Hybrid

(F1), Punjab Rasila, Durgapura Madhu, Arka Rajahans, Arka Jeet.

Climate : Muskmelon is essentially a warm season crop grown mainly in tropical and sub-tropical regions.

Generally a long period of warm, preferably dry weather with abundant sunshine is required. Melons require

fairly high temperature of 35-40 degree, during the fruit development. Cool nights and warm days are

ideal for accumulation of sugars in the fruits. Maturity is hastened if nights are warm. The average

temperature for good growth would be around 30-35 degree with maximum ranging around 40 degree and

minimum between 20-25 degree for musk melon. They are very susceptible to frost. Excess humidity will

promote diseases like Powdery Mildew, Downey Mildew, anthracnose and viral diseases and pests such as

fruit fly. For good quality and sweetness in muskmelon, dry weather during fruit development is necessary.

Soil : The soils should not crack in summer and should not be water logged in rainy season. Muskmelon

prefers a soil PH of 6-7 and it is slightly more tolerant to soil acidity than cucumber.

Sowing Season: Jan-Feb months are preferred for sowing but there should be high temperatures at the time

of fruit maturity and ripening which increases the sweetness. During rainy seasons non dessert forms of

muskmelon are grown primarily in most parts of the country. In North India, early sowing is generally done

in riverbeds in November and it extends to mid-February in garden lands.Seeds soaked in water for 12-24

hours before sowing gives better germination. This is practiced if temperature is very low. If transplanting is

to be done, seeds can be sown in PE bags (15x10cm) of 100-200 gauge and germinated under cover to

protect them from low temperature. The seedlings are transplanted from the bags at two true leaf stage.

Normally the cucurbits do not stand transplantation beyond the stage due to tap root system. The

recommended seed rate per hectare is 1.5-2kg/ha. Various systems of sowing are followed such as furrow,

bed, pit and mounds. In case of furrow sowing the furrows are made at 2.0-3.0 meters with a plant to plant
distance of 0.9m with 4-5 seeds in each hill and two vines are finally retained in each hill. Sowing is usually

done at top of the sides of furrows and the vines are allowed to trail on the ground. Pit system is practised

especially during rainy season and in river bed cultivation. The pits spaced at 1.5 to 2.0 are dug about a

meter deep and well mannured with FYM. 5-6 seeds are sown in a pit and finally 2-3 vines are retained in

each pit. In riverbed system of sowing, i.e. in trenches of 30 cm wide, 60 cm deep and of a convenient

length is done. The distance between 2 trenches is kept 2-3m. The trenches are filled with FYM, 3-4 seeds

are sown in the pits / trenches.

Spacing : The spacing required for sowing depends upon the crop and the variety grown. In general row to

row distance of 2.5-3m and hill distance of 60-90 cm is advocated for muskmelon.

Seed treatment : Soaking of seeds in Ethephon at 480 mg/litre for 24 hours improved the germination

in muskmelon. At low temperature seed dressing with thiram controlled fungi effectively and also

enhanced seed germination.The seeds of muskmelon should be soaked in water overnight and than

should be kept in Moist cloth or gunny bag near a warm place before planting. Germination start

within 3-4 days.

Use of Growth regulators: In muskmelon application of ethrel (250ppm) increases the fruiting and in

turn the yield. Exogenous application of silver thiosulphate (300-400ppm) induces the male flower in

gynoecious muskmelon. These chemicals/plant growth regulators should be applied twice at 2 true

leaf stage and second at 4 true leaf stage.NAA at 25 ppm and GA at 10 ppm increases the fruit yield.

Harvesting and yield: Fruits have to be picked at full maturity stage, ready to be consumed as dessert fruit;

the fruit usually will be ready in 30-35 days. Yield varies with the varieties used. Average yield of musk

melon is about 15-20 t/ha. Hybrids give about 25t/ha. Muskmelon is a climatric fruit, More juicier the

flesh, the less will be the keeping quality of the whole fruit. Firmer flesh stands transport well.
Maturity indices: The fruits when mature slip out easily from the vine with a little pressure or Jerk or if

not, remain separated the next day. This is called full slip stage. The quality characteristics in muskmelon

are several and varied namely thick skin and netting suitable for long distance, hauling, juicer flesh with at

least 10% TSS.

 WATERMELON

Varieties: Asahi Yamato, Sugar Baby, Arka Jyoti, Pusa Bedana, Arka Manik, Arka Muthu ,Arka
Aiswarya, Arka Akash,Arka Madhura, Improved Shipper , Special No.1, Durgapura Meetha, Durgapura
Kesar, PKM 1, Crimson Sweet.

Climate : Generally a long period of warm, preferably dry weather with abundant sunshine is required.

Watermelon is essentially a warm season crop grown mainly in tropical and sub-tropical regions. They

are very susceptible to frost. Excess humidity will promote diseases like PM, DM, anthracnose and Virus

diseases and pests such a fruit fly. Melons require tropical climate and fairly high temperature of 35-

400C during fruit development. Cool nights and warm days are ideal for accumulation of sugars in fruits.

Maturity is hastened if nights are warm. The average temperature for growth would be around 30-350C

with maximum ranging around 400C and minimum between 20-250C for watermelon. For good quality

and sweetness in watermelon, dry weather during the fruit development is necessary.

Soil : Lighter soils that warm quickly in spring one usually used for early yields. In heavier soils vine

growth will be high and fruits mature late. In Sandy River- beds alluvial substrate and subterranean

moisture of river streams support cucurbits. In fact, long tap root system is adapted to the growth of

cucurbits in riverbeds. The soils should not crack in summer and should not be water logged in rainy

season. Watermelon prefers a soil PH of 6-7.0.

Sowing season : Jan-Feb months are preferred for sowing but there should be high temperatures at the time

of fruit maturity and ripening which increases the sweetness. During rainy seasons non dessert forms of

watermelon are grown primarily in most parts of the country. In North India, early sowing is generally done

in riverbeds in November and it extends to mid-February in garden lands.Watermelon is a seed propagated

crop and insitu sowing is practised. In some cases where early crop is desired seeds can be sown in

polyethylene bags (10X15 cm) of 100-200 gauge and germinated under cover to protect them from low

temperature and then could be transplanted at 2 true leaf stage. The recommended seed rate for watermelon
is 750-1125 g/ha. Various system of sowing are followed, such as furrow, bed, pit (deep or shallow) and

mounds. In case of furrow sowing the furrows are made at 2.5 to 3 meter and sowing is done at 1 metre

spacing between plant to plant. The other methods of sowing are described under muskmelon.The seeds of

watermelon should be soaked in water overnight and then should be kept in moist cloth or gunny bag near a

warm place before planting. Germination would start within 3 to4 days. Soaking of seeds in ethephon at 480

mg/litre for 24 hrs improves the germination. Seed dressing with Thiram controlled fungi effectively and

also enhanced seed germination.

Use of Growth regulators : In watermelon to increase the fruiting and the fruit yield exogenous

application of chemicals such as TIBA (25-250 PPM), boron (3-4ppm), Molybdenum (3-4 ppm) and

calcium (20-25PPM) is recommended. These chemicals/plant growth regulators must be applied at 2-

true leaf stage, repeat the spray at 4- true leaf stage. Foliar spray of GA at 25-50 ppm, ethrel 500 ppm,

MH 100 ppm and NAA 200 ppm increases fruit yield.

Harvesting and yield: In watermelon where fruits have to be picked at full maturity stage, ready to be

consumed as dessert fruit, usually takes 40-45 days from anthesis to harvesting. The fruit thinning increases

the size and quality of the fruit. Normally 3-4 fruits per each vine should be kept in order to get good quality

fruits. Average yield of watermelon is 35-50 t/ha

Maturity indices: In water melon, maturity is judged by several factors. Dull sound when the fruit is

thumped in contrast to metallic sound. Withering of tendril at the fruit axil,Ground spot (Where the

fruit touches the ground) turning yellow, Rind of the ripe melon yields to presume. Cumulatively all

these criteria will help to judge the fruit for picking. Most of the cultivars have deep pink or pink or

pale pink flesh colour with slightly reddish tinge containing largely lycopene and anthocyanin

pigments. The average sweetness will record around 9-10% TSS.

 BOTTLE GOURD

Varieties: Pusa Summer Prolific Long, Pusa Summer Prolific Round Pusa Meghdoot, Pusa Manjari,

Pusa Naveen, Punjab Komal, Arka Bahar, Kalyanpur Long Green, Samrat, Pusa Hybrid 3, Pant Shankar

Lauki 1, CO 1, Azad Nutan, Pusa Sandesh, Punjab Round, Punjab Long, Narendra Rashmi

Climate : It is worm season crop .It cannot tolerate high cold and frost . The bottle gourd is a typical

tropical plant which requires warm and humid climate for the best growth. The optimum temperature for

growth 24°-27°C. It is highly sensitive to photoperiod. High rainfall amounts with prolonged cloudiness

results in a higher incidence of diseases and in turn drastically reduces the yield. Short days and humid

climate promote femaleness.

Soil : Bottle gourd can be grown on all types of soils, but sandy loam soils with high organic matter

content are considered best. Soil should be well drained and the pH between 6-7. The soil should be deep

soil so that is can support the vine for a longer period. Soil-moisture is important for rapid growth and it

should be at least 10-15% above the permanent wilting point.It can be raised successfully in riverbeds.

The soils should not crack in summer and should not be water-logged in rainy season. The soil

temperature for good crop growth should be 18°-22°C.

Land Preparation: The land should be thoroughly prepared in order to get fine tilt for seed bed.Various

systems of sowing have been adopted depending on the season, crop and system of cultivation. In garden

soils, furrows are made at 2-3m. The sowing is done on the top of the sides of furrows and the vines are

allowed to trail on the ground.

Sowing : Two seeds sown in both sides of furrows. Finally good and healthy one seedling per hill should

be kept. Pre-sowing treatment of seeds with 600ppm of succinic acid for 12hr improves germination and

seedling growth as evidenced by more leaves per seedlings. Also see soaking in water for 12-24hr

improves seed germination. Bottle gourd is propagated through seeds. The seeds are large white in
colour, and seed count is about 450-500/kg the recommended seed rate is 3-6kg/ha. The seeds are sown

directly in furrows or trenches or pits

Spacing : In Maharashtra, bottle gourd is trained on bowers and sown at 3.0 x 1.0m distance. In West

Bengal and South India sowing is done in pits. Pits of 90cm width, 60cm depth and of convenient length

are dug and filled with well-rotted farmyard manure, followed by top soil.The recommended spacing is

2-3m between two rows and 1.0-1.5m between two plants. The same spacing followed in river bed

plantings. In Punjab, spacing of 2.5 x 2.0m is recommended for bottle gourd.

Use of Growth regulators : Fruit set can be increased by spraying the plants twice at the 2 and 4-

true-leaf stage with Ethrel (150ppm), Malichydrazide (400ppm), Triodobenzoic acid (50ppm),

boron (3-4ppm) and Calcium (20ppm). Yields can also be increased by maintaining adequate soil

fertility levels; particularly when growing hybrids. Malichydrazide at 400ppm along with 100kg

N/ha promotes the female flower production and increases fruit set and inturn the yield

Season : The sowing time of bottle gourd different for different regions and conditions .The season of

growing is mainly determined by the rainfall and temperature conditions. Bottle gourd is grown in

summer and rainy season. In summer, the crop sown in December—January and in rainy season (June—

July). In South and central India, where winter is neither severe nor long this crop can be grown almost

through out the year.

Harvesting : Fruit should be picked every 3-4 days. Picking of fruits at the right edible maturity stage

depends upon individual kinds and varieties. The crop is ready for harvest approximately 60 days after

seed sowing, depending upon the variety and season. Bottle gourd fruits take about 12-15 days after fruit

setting to reach the marketable stage.

 In bottle gourd picking is done in about 12-15 or even 20 days after fruit set. In bottle gourd,

tenderness and edible maturity are judged by pressing the skin and little pubescence persisting on

the skin.

Yield

 The average yield of bottle gourd is 20 tonnes/ha. However, the improved varieties/F1 hybrids

yield up to 40-50 tonnes/ha.

 POINTED GOURD

Not much systematic research work has been done to develop the improved varieties in pointed gourd.

However, some improved strains are developed through selection from local germplasm in India which

are grown in various states. These are as follows:

Madhya Pradesh - Green oval, green long striped and white oval. (In this state generally pale-white oval

cultivars are popular).

West Bengal - Kazil, Bombay and Damodar.

Uttar Pradesh - Dandli, Kalyani, Guli, Bihar Sharif, FP 5, FP 4, FP 1 and FP 3.

Swarna Rekha , Swarna Alaukik , Rajendra Parwal 1 , Rajendra Parwal 2 , Konkan Haritha

Climate :Hot and humid climate is best for its development. It is a warm season crop. During winter, it

becomes dormant and sprouts again in summer. Rainfall is considered very well for pointed gourd but

coastal climate is not suitable.

Soil : Both the sandy loam and loamy soils are best for growth and development of this crop. The soil

should be well drained and rich in organic matter. It is also grown in the riverbeds.

Propagation: In order to plant one hectare area of pointed gourd, about 2,000-2,500 cuttings are

required. Pointed gourd is vegetatively propagated through vine cuttings and root suckers. Seed

propagation is avoided in pointed gourd because of poor seed germination and since it is dioecious in

nature produces male and female plants in equal proportion if they are planted from the seeds. In other

words, 50% plants are non-fruiting (i.e. male plants). In order to ensure maximum fruit set and yield only

10-12% male plants are maintained in the garden to ensure the source of pollinizer and remaining plants

must be female ones.

Cultural practices: Vine cuttings are transplanted in August on upland and in November on riverbeds,

with a spacing of 2 x 2m. Vine cuttings are folded in the shape of a ring and planted in pits, keeping the

ends above ground. Also straight vine cuttings are planted in a furrow filled with farmyard manure and

soil, keeping the cutting ends above ground. Since the crop is dioecious, after every 10 female plants, a

cutting from a male plant is planted. In root cuttings, roots from old vines are separated and planted either

in nursery or in the field.

Harvesting and yield: Harvesting should be done when the fruits are immature, tender and still green.

Picking should be done frequently so that maximum fruits could be harvested from a vine. Pointed gourd

is ready for harvest in 80-90 days after planting.Yield varies from 6-8 tonnes/ha in the first year, while it

may increase to 14-15 tonnes/ ha during the second year.

 IVY GOURD

Varieties: Kerala Agriculture University developed a high yielding (60 t/ha) variety “Sulabha” having a

fruit length and weight of 9.25 cm and 18.48 g respectively

Climate: It bears excellent crop during summer and the rainy season when the climate is warm. It can

also tolerate cold during winter months, producing few fruits. For best growth, it needs a warm and

moist-climate. In northern parts of India due to severe cold the plants go under rest and as such produce

fruits only once in a year but in the places were mild winter is prevalent like in southern India, the plants

remain in vegetative phase and thus produce fruits in 2-3 flushes. However, there are two fruit peaks, i.e.

in summer and rainy seasons.

Soil : Sandy loam or loamy soils with perfect drainage and ample nutrient supply favour better growth

and production of excellent quality fruits. The ideal soil for little gourd is well drained and fertile.

Propagation: It is propagated through stem cuttings. The cuttings of about 25cm long and pencil

thickness taken relatively from older shoots which root better and produce an early crop. Planting is

preferably done during June - July and February - March.

Cultural Practices: Cuttings are taken from healthy plants during the rainy season and planted in basins

prepared after deep ploughing and harrowing. Basins 60-75cm in diameter are made 2m apart on both the

sides. Two cuttings are planted in each basin to obtain one plant. It is necessary to keep at least one bud

below the soil surface for producing roots. Usually 10-15 days are required for cutting to sprout and start

growing. To get good yields, 5-10% of the vines of the male type should be planted in the field.

Harvesting : The stage of harvesting is determined by change in colour from dark green to bright or

light green. The tender and fully grown fruits are harvested carefully so that no injury is caused to the
vines. Ivy gourd fruits are produced almost throughout the year. In places where the winter is relatively

severe, fruit yield during this period is reduced.

Yield :Harvesting An average of 200-300 fruits weighing 3-4kg can be harvested per vine per year.

Under ideal conditions, approximately 8-10kg of fruits can be harvested per vine per year. These fruits

can be shipped to long distances or stored for upto 2 weeks at room temperature. From one hectare area

about 10-12 tonnes yield can be obtained.