Cultivation of Ridge Gourd (Luffa acutangula)

General Information

• Common Names: Ridge gourd, Sponge gourd, Turai (Hindi), Beerakaya (Telugu), Hirekayi (Kannada).
• Family: Cucurbitaceae.
• Origin: Believed to have originated in South Asia.
• Uses: Widely consumed as a vegetable. Its tender fruits are cooked, and mature fruits are used as natural sponges. It is rich in dietary fiber, vitamins, and minerals.

Origin, Area, and Distribution

• Origin: Tropical Asia.
• Area: Extensively grown in India, China, Southeast Asia, and parts of Africa.
• Major Growing States in India: Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, West Bengal, Maharashtra, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, and Kerala.
• Distribution: Cultivated in tropical and subtropical regions worldwide.

Climate

• Temperature: Grows best in warm, humid conditions. The ideal temperature range is 25–30°C.
• Rainfall: Requires 50–75 cm of well-distributed rainfall during the growing period.
• Light: Thrives in full sunlight.

Soil

• Prefers well-drained sandy loam to loamy soils rich in organic matter.
• pH: 6.0–7.5.
• Waterlogging can severely affect plant growth and fruit quality.

Improved Varieties

1. Pusa Nasdar: High-yielding, dark green fruits with good quality.
2. Arka Sumeet: Early maturing, disease-resistant variety.
3. CO-1: Medium-sized fruits with high productivity.
4. Punjab Ridge Gourd: High yield with long, tender fruits.
5. Hybrid Varieties: Available in the market with higher productivity and uniform fruits.

Seed Rate: 4–6 kg per hectare. Optimal for maintaining proper spacing in rows and pits.

Cultivation Practices

Time of Sowing

• Kharif Crop: June–July (rainy season).
• Summer Crop: February–March (irrigated crop).
• Rabi Crop: October–November (in mild winter regions).

Land Preparation

• Plough the field 2–3 times to prepare a fine tilth.
• Incorporate 10–15 tons of farmyard manure (FYM) or compost per hectare during the final ploughing.

Sowing Methods

• Direct Sowing: Seeds are sown directly in the field.
• Transplanting: Seedlings are raised in a nursery and transplanted after 15–20 days.
• Spacing:
  • Hill-to-hill distance: 1.5–2 m.
  • Plant-to-plant distance: 50–75 cm.

Seed Treatment

• Treat seeds with fungicides like Carbendazim or Trichoderma viride to prevent soil-borne diseases.
• Soak seeds in water for 12–24 hours to enhance germination.

Fertilizer Requirements (Per Hectare)

• Basal Dose:
  • Nitrogen (N): 50 kg.
  • Phosphorus (P₂O₅): 60 kg.
  • Potassium (K₂O): 60 kg.
• Apply half of the nitrogen and the full dose of phosphorus and potassium at sowing.
• Top Dressing: Apply the remaining nitrogen in two splits during vine development and flowering.

Irrigation

• Requires regular irrigation for optimal growth.
• Schedule:
  • During summer: Every 5–7 days.
  • During rainy season: As needed to avoid waterlogging.
• Critical stages: Flowering and fruiting.

Training and Pruning

• Provide trellises or stakes for vines to climb. This improves air circulation, light penetration, and fruit quality.
• Remove old and diseased leaves to prevent the spread of pests and diseases.

Weed Management

• Perform 2–3 manual weedings during the crop cycle.
• Mulching with organic materials helps suppress weeds and retain soil moisture.

Pest and Disease Management

• Pests:
  • Fruit Fly: Use pheromone traps or neem-based sprays.
  • Aphids: Apply neem oil or recommended insecticides.
• Diseases:
  • Powdery Mildew: Use sulfur-based fungicides.
  • Downy Mildew: Spray copper-based fungicides.
  • Mosaic Virus: Use resistant varieties and control vectors like aphids.

Harvesting and Yield

• Harvesting: Harvest fruits when they are tender and green (immature stage). Picking should be done at 3–4-day intervals to encourage continuous fruiting.
• Yield: 10–15 tons per hectare, depending on variety and management.

Physiological Disorders

Fruit Cracking: Caused by irregular watering or nutrient imbalance. Management: Ensure consistent irrigation and balanced fertilization.

Deformed Fruits: Resulting from poor pollination. Management: Enhance pollination by attracting bees and manually hand-pollinating if necessary.