Cucumber (Cucumis sativus)

• Origin: India
• Temperature for growth: 26.4°C
• Sex Form: Monoecious (primitive), Gynoecious hybrids
• Pollination: Cross-pollinated by insects
• Ethrel (150–200 ppm): Increases female flowers
• GA₃ and AgNO₃: Induce male flowers
• Seed Rate: 2.5 kg/ha
• Harvest: Starts at 45 days; 8–10 harvests
• Yield: 8–10 t/ha in 80–90 days
• Disorder: Pillow Disease → Ca deficiency
• White spine = edible maturity (slicing); Black = pickling
• Light/day length affects anthesis; temperature affects pollen fertility

Varieties:

• Introduced: Japanese Long Green, Poinsett
• Selection: Sheetal 5a
• Hybrids: Himangi (Bronzing resistant), Phule Subhangi
• Public Hybrid: Pusa Sanyog (Gynoecious)
• Private Hybrid: Priya
• Disease-resistant: Poinsett (PM, DM, Anthracnose); CMV-resistant: Tokyo Long Green, Chinese Long

Watermelon (Citrullus lanatus)

• Origin: Tropical Africa
• Water Content: 92–95%
• Seed Rate: 400–450 g/ha
• TSS: 8–13%
• Seed & Edible maturity coincide
• Maturity Signs:
  • Metallic sound = immature
  • Dull sound = mature
  • Drying of tendril & yellow spot on base = mature
• Yield: 25–30 t/ha in 120 days
• Disorder: Bud necrosis → virus (aphid-borne)
• White Heart: Poor quality indicator
• Nutrient: Cucurbitacin E (bitter compound), 160 mg K/100g
• Anthracnose, PM, DM resistant: Arka Manik

Varieties:

• Introduced: Asahi Yamato, Improved Shipper
• Selection: Durgapura Meetha, Pusa Rasal
• Hybrids:
  • Arka Manik (Crimson Sweet × IIHR, 11–12% TSS)
  • Arka Jyoti (20% Crimson Sweet)
  • Pusa Bedana (Triploid seedless, Tetra-2 × Pusa Rasal)

Muskmelon (Cucumis melo)

• Origin: Tropical Africa
• TSS Range: 11–17%
• Water: ~90%; Carbohydrate ~9%
• Pollination: Insect-pollinated
• Anthesis: 6 AM @ 22–29°C
• Harvest Stage:
  • Full Slip for most
  • Netting stage for Hara Madhu
• Node for best fruit set: 9th–12th bud node
• Uses: Ice cream (West), juice
• Disorders: Higher sweetness with high temp. during ripening
• Yield: ~20 t/ha in 120 days

Varieties:

• Selection: Durgapura Madhu, Arka Jeet (high vit. C), Pusa Madhuras
• Hybrids:
  • Arka Rajhans (excellent shelf life)
  • Hissar Madhur, MHY-5 (Durgapura Madhu × Hara Madhu)
  • Punjab Rasila: Resistant to PM & DM
• Public Hybrid: Pusa Rasraj (Monoecious ♀ parent)

Bottle gourd (Lagenaria siceraria)

• Origin: South Africa
• Known As: Lauki
• Seed Rate: 1.5 kg/ha
• Germination: 25–30°C
• Pollination: Insect
• Transplanting: 15-day-old seedlings
• Photoperiod Sensitive
• Harvest: At tender stage, before full maturity
• Uses: Kofta, Petha, musical instruments, tooty-fruity
• Yield: 15–20 t/ha in 135 days

Varieties:

• Pusa Summer Prolific Long, Pusa Summer Prolific Round, Pusa Manjari, Pusa Meghdoot
• Arka Bahar, CO-1
• PKM-1: Extra-long fruit (180–200 cm), 25 t/ha in 135 days

Bitter gourd (Momordica charantia)

• Origin: Indo-Burma
• Known as: Karela
• Seed Rate: 1.8 kg/ha
• Yield:
  • Varieties: 14 t/ha in 140–150 days
  • Hybrids: 40–52 t/ha in 180 days
• Chemical: Momordicin (2.99 mg/g in white type)

Varieties:

• CO-1, MDU-1, Arka Harit, Priya, Preethi
• COBgH-1: Hybrid with white fruit, high yield and momordicin

Sponge gourd (Luffa cylindrica)

• Seed Rate: 3.5 kg/ha
• Varieties: Pusa Supriya, Pusa Chikni
• Flowering: Male: 4th–6th node. Female: 8th–10th node
• Harvest: 48–52 days
• Fruits/plant: 12–14

Ridge gourd (Luffa acutangula)

• Seed Rate: 1.5 kg/ha
• Varieties: Pusa Nasdar, Satputiya
• Yield: 14–15 t/ha

Pumpkin (Cucurbita moschata)

• Origin: Mexico
• Seed Rate: 1 kg/ha
• Harvest:
  • Signs: Green → Yellow fruit color, easy stalk detachment
  • Time: 85–90 days
• Yield: 18–20 t/ha
• Varieties: Arka Chandan, Arka Suryamukhi, Pusa Vishwas

Important Notes for Exams:

• Fruit type in Cucurbits: Pepo
• Seed Treatment: Trichoderma (4 g/kg), Carbendazim (2 g/kg)
• Cucumber: 2nd most grown cucurbit after watermelon
• Muskmelon: Most suitable for Daria cultivation
• Ethrel & GA₃: Modify sex expression
• Photoperiodism: Key for flowering & fruiting in many cucurbits
• Common Viral Disease: Bud Necrosis (Watermelon), CMV (Cucumber)
• Nutritional Benefit: Good for digestion, skin, dehydration, constipation