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)
