Cultivation of Pumpkin
Basic Information
|
Particulars |
Details |
|
Botanical Name |
Cucurbita moschata |
|
Family |
Cucurbitaceae |
|
Chromosome No. |
2n = 40 (Amphidiploid) |
|
Origin |
Mexico |
|
Pollination |
Cross-pollinated (entomophilous) |
|
Chief Pollinator |
Honey bees (Apis spp.) |
|
Flower Type |
Monoecious (separate male & female flowers on same plant) |
|
Fruit Type |
Pepo |
|
Edible Part |
Mesocarp and pericarp |
|
Special Note |
Flowers are more nutritious than fruits |
Area and Production
- India: Grown widely across the country
- Major State: Odisha (Orissa)
- 85% of area and 90% of production
Cultivation Practices
|
Practice |
Details |
|
Sowing Season |
Summer: Jan–March, Rainy: June–July, Winter: Sept–Oct |
|
Seed Rate |
3.5 to 5 kg/ha |
|
Spacing |
2.5 m × 1.0 m (row × plant) |
|
Soil Type |
Well-drained loamy soil, rich in organic matter |
|
pH Range |
6.0 – 6.7 |
|
Irrigation |
Light irrigation at 7–10 days interval |
|
Training System |
Channel and Hill system – highly efficient |
|
Manure & Fertilizer |
20–25 tons FYM/ha + 60:40:40 NPK kg/ha |
|
Pollination Ratio |
Male:Female = 1:3 for hybrid seed production |
|
Harvesting Stage |
90–120 days after sowing |
Special Uses
- Yerusseri: Local preparation made from immature fruits
- Pumpkin flowers: Rich in nutrients, traditionally used in cuisine
Varieties
|
Type |
Variety |
Special Features |
|
IARI |
Pusa Vikas |
Early and high-yielding |
|
Pusa Viswas |
High yield, good fruit quality |
|
|
IIHR |
Arka Chandan |
Pleasant aroma, excellent taste |
|
Arka SuryaMukhi |
Resistant to fruit fly |
|
|
Others |
Ambili |
Local variety |
|
Wild spp. |
Cucurbita ficifolia |
Fig Leaf Gourd / Malabar Gourd – used as rootstock |
Important Notes for Competitive Exams
- Pumpkin is Amphidiploid (2n=40)
- Cross-pollination promoted by insects (especially bees).
- Channel and Hill system is most effective for yield.
- Flowers are more nutritious than fruits — rich in vitamins.
- Cucurbita ficifolia used in breeding and as rootstock.
- For hybrid seed production: maintain a 1:3 (M:F) ratio.
- Pumpkin is day-neutral crop – not sensitive to photoperiod.
- Contains carotenoids – important for Vitamin A.
