Cultivation of Ash Gourd (Benincasa hispida)

General Information

• Botanical Name: Benincasa hispida.
• Common Names: Ash Gourd, Wax Gourd, Winter Melon, Petha (Hindi), Neer Poosanikai (Tamil), Boodida Gummadi (Telugu).
• Family: Cucurbitaceae.
• Origin: Native to Southeast Asia.
• Uses: Widely used as a vegetable and for making sweets like petha. Medicinally, it is valued for its cooling and diuretic properties.

Origin, Area, and Distribution

• Origin: Believed to have originated in Southeast Asia and China.
• Area: Grown extensively in tropical and subtropical regions, including India, China, Indonesia, and the Philippines.
• Major Growing States in India: Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, and Maharashtra.

Climate

• Temperature: Warm and humid conditions are ideal. Optimum temperature range: 24–30°C.
• Rainfall: Requires moderate rainfall; sensitive to waterlogging.
• Season: Suitable for both summer and rainy seasons.

Soil

• Well-drained sandy loam to clay loam soils with high organic matter.
• pH Range: 6.0–7.5.
• Avoid heavy and saline soils.

Improved Varieties

• CO-1: High-yielding variety with uniform-sized fruits.
• Arka Sumeet: Medium-sized fruits with high productivity.
• Punjab Komal: Early-maturing, suitable for North Indian plains.
• Pusa Ujwal: High-yielding variety developed by IARI.
• Indu: A hybrid variety with uniform fruit quality.

Seed Rate: 2–3 kg per hectare. Large seeds with a high germination rate

Cultivation Practices

Time of Sowing

• Kharif Season: June–July (onset of monsoon).
• Rabi Season: January–February (in areas with mild winters).
• Summer Season: February–March.

Land Preparation

• Plow the field 2–3 times to achieve a fine tilth.
• Incorporate 10–15 tons of well-decomposed farmyard manure (FYM) per hectare during the final plowing.

Sowing Methods

• Seed Rate: 3–4 kg per hectare.
• Spacing:
  • Row-to-row: 2.0–2.5 m.
  • Plant-to-plant: 0.75–1.0 m.
• Planting Method: Seeds are sown directly in pits or ridges.

Seed Treatment

• Treat seeds with fungicides like Carbendazim (2 g/kg of seed) to prevent fungal diseases.
• Soaking seeds in warm water for 12–24 hours improves germination.

Fertilizer Requirements (Per Hectare)

• Basal Dose:
  • Nitrogen (N): 40 kg.
  • Phosphorus (P₂O₅): 60 kg.
  • Potassium (K₂O): 40 kg.
• Top Dressing:
  • Additional 40 kg of nitrogen in two splits during vine elongation and flowering stages.

Irrigation

• Requires regular irrigation to maintain soil moisture, especially during dry spells.
• Frequency:
  • Summer: Every 4–5 days.
  • Rainy season: As required to avoid waterlogging.
• Critical stages: Flowering and fruit development.

Training and Pruning

• Provide trellises or stakes for better vine management, fruit quality, and pest control.
• Prune side shoots and remove old or diseased leaves.

Weed Management

• Perform 2–3 hand weedings during the initial growth stages.
• Mulching with straw or plastic sheets reduces weed growth and conserves moisture.

Pest and Disease Management

• Pests:
  • Fruit Fly: Use pheromone traps and neem-based sprays.
  • Aphids: Spray Imidacloprid or neem oil.
• Diseases:
  • Powdery Mildew: Treat with sulfur-based fungicides.
  • Downy Mildew: Use Mancozeb or Metalaxyl sprays.
  • Fruit Rot: Improve drainage and apply copper-based fungicides.

Harvesting and Yield

• Harvesting:
  • Harvest when fruits are mature, firm, and covered with a whitish wax coating.
  • Typical harvest time: 90–120 days after sowing.
• Yield: 20–25 tons per hectare under good management practices.

Physiological Disorders

Fruit Cracking: Cause: Sudden changes in soil moisture. Management: Maintain consistent irrigation practices.

Poor Fruit Set: Cause: High temperatures or lack of pollinators. Management: Enhance pollination using hand pollination or by attracting bees.