Cultivation of Sponge Gourd (Luffa cylindrica)

General Information

• Botanical Name: Luffa cylindrica (syn. Luffa aegyptiaca).
• Common Names: Sponge Gourd, Loofah, Vegetal Sponge.
• Family: Cucurbitaceae.
• Origin: Believed to have originated in India or tropical Asia.
• Uses:
  • Immature fruits are consumed as vegetables.
  • Mature fruits are used to make natural sponges for cleaning and skincare.

Origin, Area, and Distribution

• Origin: Native to South and Southeast Asia.
• Area: Cultivated widely in India, Bangladesh, China, and other tropical and subtropical regions.
• Major Growing States in India: Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Punjab, Madhya Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, and Maharashtra.

Climate

• Temperature: Thrives in warm climates; optimum temperature: 25–30°C.
• Rainfall: Requires moderate rainfall; excess moisture can cause fungal diseases.
• Season: Suitable for growing during summer, monsoon, and early winter in frost-free areas.

Soil

• Preferred Soil: Well-drained sandy loam to loam soils with high organic content.
• pH Range: 6.5–7.5.
• Avoid waterlogged, saline, or acidic soils.

Improved Varieties

1. Pusa Chikni: High-yielding variety with tender fruits.
2. Arka Sumeet: Long, uniform, green fruits with good quality.
3. CO-1: Early maturing variety.
4. Punjab Barkat: Suitable for northern regions; uniform fruits.
5. Narendra Sponge Gourd-1: High yield and disease resistance.

Seed Rate: 3–5 kg per hectare. Germination is influenced by seed quality and soil conditions.

Cultivation Practices

Time of Sowing

• Summer Season: February–March.
• Rainy Season: June–July.
• Winter Season: October–November (in frost-free areas).

Land Preparation

• Plow the field 2–3 times to achieve a fine tilth.
• Incorporate 8–10 tons of well-decomposed FYM or compost per hectare during the final plowing.

Sowing Methods

• Seed Rate: 3–5 kg per hectare.
• Spacing:
  • Pits: 1.5–2.0 m between rows and 0.75–1.0 m between plants.
  • Ridges and Furrows: Maintain a spacing of 2.0 m between ridges.
• Planting Method: Sow 2–3 seeds per pit at a depth of 2–3 cm.

Seed Treatment Treat seeds with Carbendazim or Thiram (2 g/kg) to prevent seed-borne diseases.

Fertilizer Requirements (Per Hectare)

• Basal Dose:
  • Nitrogen (N): 30 kg.
  • Phosphorus (P₂O₅): 50 kg.
  • Potassium (K₂O): 30 kg.
• Top Dressing:
  • Additional 30 kg of nitrogen in two splits during the vegetative and flowering stages.

Irrigation

• Frequency:
  • Summer: Every 4–5 days.
  • Rainy season: As required (avoid waterlogging).
• Critical Stages: Germination, flowering, and fruiting.

Training and Pruning

• Provide trellises or stakes for proper vine management, better air circulation, and ease of harvesting.
• Remove side shoots and old leaves to encourage healthy growth.

Weed Management

• Perform 2–3 hand weedings during the early stages.
• Mulching with organic or plastic materials helps in suppressing weeds and conserving moisture.

Pest and Disease Management

• Pests:
  • Fruit Fly: Control using pheromone traps and neem-based insecticides.
  • Aphids: Spray Imidacloprid or neem oil.
• Diseases:
  • Downy Mildew: Use Mancozeb or Metalaxyl.
  • Powdery Mildew: Spray sulfur-based fungicides.
  • Anthracnose: Treat with Carbendazim or copper fungicides.

Harvesting and Yield

• Harvesting:
  • Harvest fruits when they are tender and green (immature stage).
  • Mature fruits can be left on the vine for loofah sponge production.
  • Typical harvest period: 60–70 days after sowing.
• Yield:
  • Vegetable purpose: 10–15 tons per hectare.
  • Sponge production: 5–6 tons per hectare (dry sponges).

Physiological Disorders

1. Fruit Deformation: Cause: Poor pollination. Management: Enhance pollination by attracting bees or through manual pollination.
2. Fruit Cracking: Cause: Irregular irrigation or high temperature. Management: Maintain consistent soil moisture.