ridge gourd, ridgegourd, Ridgegourd

1. .Production Technology of Ridgegourd

3. Introduction and importance:
Ridge gourd belongs to the genus luffa and cultivated on a
commercial scale and in kitchen garden throughout the india.
The genus name luffa derived from the name ‘loofah’ which is
used in bathing sponges, scrubber pads , doormats, pillow. It
contains a gelatinous compound called luffein. Ridge gourd
contains 0.5% protein, 3.4% carbohydrates, 37 mg carotene,
18mg vitamin C per 100g edible fresh weight. Ridge gourd can
be grown as a mixed crop in riverbed and as monocrop in the
garden lands.

4. RIDGE GOURD
Synonym: Kalitori, ribber gourd, silk gourd, vegetable gourd
• B.N. - Luffa acutangula
• Family – Cucurbitaceae
• 2n = 26
• Monoecious
• Origin –Asia
• Contains luffein.
• Commercially trained on kniffin system.
• Fruits are ribbed and called kali tori.
• Contains 18mg/100g Vitamin C.
• The genus derives its name from the product ‘loofah’, which is used in bathing
sponges, scrubber pads, doormats, pillows, mattresses and also for cleaning utensils.

5. CLIMATE & SOIL
• Grows very well in warm hot climate.
• Optimum temperature – 25 – 30ºC
• Higher temperature >38ºC produces male flowers
. • Sandy loam soil, rich in OM is most suited.
• Proper drainage is highly beneficial.
• pH – 6.5-7
Prepration of field:
• plough the land to fine tilth . Dig up pits of 30cm x30cm x30cm and size at 2.5 x2m spacing.
SOWING
• Time – July – Sept ; Jan – Feb
• Seed rate – 3-5 kg/ha
• Spacing – 1.5 x 0.5 m or 1.5 x 1 m
• Sow 4 seeds/pit ; retain only 2 healthy seedlings.
• Seeds can also be raised in polybags which further reduces seed rate to 1.5 kg/ha
Seed treatment with trichoderma viridae, pseudomonas fluorescens

6. Flower of ridge gourd

7. Ridge gourd cultivation

8. VARIETIES :
• Pusa Nasdar – suitable for summer and rainy season
• CO 1
• Satputia – hermaphrodite ; smaller fruits in clusters , pale green fruits
• Konkan Harita – developed by Konkan Krishi Vidyapeeth, Dapoli, MH; gives first harvest at 45 days
after planting
• Punjab Sadabahar – rich in protein
• IIHR – 8 – high yielding, good market value, good cooking quality especially stuffing
• PKM 1
• Pusa Sadabahar
• Hisar Kalitori
• Gujarat Anand RG-1
• Pant Toria 1
• Arka Sujat
• Arka Sumeet
• Swarna Manjari
• Swarna Uphar
• Pusa Nutan
• Surekha – hybrid

9. Irrigation:
• irrigate the basin befor dibbling the seeds and thereafter once in a week.
Nutrient management:
• FYM @ 20t/ha alongwith 50:25:25 kg/ha NPK. Half N as basal dose and the other half 30 days after
planting.
• NAA (200 ppm) helps maintain sex ratio.
As per VNMKV recommendation 100:50:50 Kg NPK /ha is applied
After cultivation:
• Hoeing is done to control the weeds.
• Provide support for the plants to reach the pendal erected at a height of 2m.
• Spray ethrel 250ppm four times commencing from 15th day after sowing at weekly intervals to increase
the yield.

10. Harvesting and Yield:
• The crop is ready for harvest in about 60-90 days after
planting. The fruit attains marketable maturity about 57 days
after anthesis of female flower.
• Picking should be done after every 3-4 days.
• Avg. yield – 10- 15 t/ha.
• Hybrids – 20-30 t/ha.

11. Postharvest , storage and market:
• Harvesting should be done at proper edible maturity. Grading is
done based on size. The fruits are packed on separate basket.
Care should be taken to avoid the injury. The fresh and tender
fruits should reach the consumer.
• harvested fruits can be stored for 3-4 days in a cool place.
• The fruits are packed in bamboo basket with proper padding to
prevent injury during transport.
• the fruits are marketed in local and distant market, the plastic
crates are also used for packing of fruits.