Bottle Gourd (Lauki / Ghiya)
Basic Information
Characteristic | Details |
Botanical Name | Lagenaria siceraria |
Family | Cucurbitaceae |
Origin | South Africa |
Chromosome Number | 2n = 22 |
Pollination Type | Cross-pollinated (monoecious: M & F flowers on same plant) |
Fruit Type | Pepo |
Edible Part | Fleshy mesocarp |
Photoperiod Sensitivity | Highly photoperiod sensitive |
Seed Germination Temp. | 25–30°C; brown/whitish-brown seeds preferred |
Uses & Economic Importance
- Vegetable Uses: Popular dishes – Kofta, Petha, Curries, Soups.
- Processed Products: Tooty-fruity made from bottle gourd.
- Dry Shell Uses: Used to make musical instruments like Ektara, Veena, Rudra Veena.
- Nutritional: Rich in fibre-free carbohydrates, low in fat, good for digestion.
- Medicinal Uses: Diuretic, cooling effect, used in Ayurveda.
Cultivation Details
Parameter | Recommendation |
Sowing Season | Summer (Feb–Mar), Rainy (June–July), Autumn (Sept–Oct) |
Seed Rate | 4–6 kg/ha |
Spacing | 2.0 m × 1.0 m (Row × Plant) |
Soil Requirement | Sandy loam, well-drained, pH 6.5–7.5 |
Fertilizer | FYM: 20–25 t/ha + 60:40:40 NPK (kg/ha) |
Irrigation | Regular intervals (every 6–7 days) |
Harvesting | 60–70 days after sowing |
Temperature | Optimum 25–35°C; High temp & high N → ↑ Male flowers |
Floral Biology
- Monoecious (Separate male & female flowers on the same plant).
- Heterosis (Hybrid vigour) expressed throughout all growth stages.
- Sex Ratio Influencers:
- High Nitrogen → more male flowers.
- High temperature → increases maleness.
- Ethrel spray promotes female flowering.
Varieties
(A) Selection Varieties:
Variety | Special Feature |
Pusa Summer Prolific Long | Long fruits, early, high yielding |
Pusa Naveen | Cylindrical fruit, straight neck |
Punjab Round | Round-shaped fruits |
Samrat | Highest yielding cultivar |
Pusa Summer Prolific Round | Round fruits |
(B) Hybrid Varieties:
Variety | Developed By | Traits |
Arka Bahar | IIHR | Early, resistant to downy mildew |
Punjab Komal | PAU | Early, good shelf life |
Pusa Meghdoot | IARI | Public sector F₁ hybrid |
Pusa Mangari | IARI | Hybrid |
Gutka | — | High yielding |
Harit | — | Good fruit quality |
Physiological Disorders
Disorder | Cause | Symptom |
Fruit cracking | Boron deficiency, irregular irrigation | Cracks on mature fruits |
Poor fruit set | Excess nitrogen, high temp | More male flowers, fewer fruits |
Deformed fruits | Improper pollination | Bent or curled fruits |
Important MCQ Points
- Origin: South Africa
- Fruit Type: Pepo
- Pollination: Entomophilous (insect-pollinated), mainly by bees.
- Used in musical instruments: Yes (dried shell)
- Tooty-fruity prepared from: Bottle gourd
- Highly sensitive to: Photoperiod
- Heterosis: Expressed in all life stages
- Pusa Meghdoot: F₁ hybrid (IARI)
