This presentation about chayote is prepared by me during fourth semester. chayote is also called "Iss kush" in Nepali and one of the less studied vegetables cultivated in hills of Nepal.

1. Chayote
Sechium edule
Presented by:-
Suraj Poudel
Roll no. 60
BSc Ag, 4th Semester
IAAS, Paklihawa Campus

2. Introduction:
• Scientific name: Sechium edule
• Family: Cucurbitaceae
• Origin: Native to Central America and the Caribbean (Thompson and
Kelly,1957).
• Chayote producing countries: Brazil, Costa Rica,
Mexico and Abkhazia, Georgia.
• Chayote producing districts in Nepal: Khotang, Illam, Okhaldunga,
Solukhumbu, Terhathum, Dhankuta, Kavre, Makhwanpur etc.
• Other names: Squash, cho-cho, pear squash, vegetable pear
• Iskush or Ishkush (इस्कु श) in Nepali.

3. Botany
• Perennial crop with climbing vines.
• Its leaves resemble to those of cucumber and is heart shaped, 10-25cm
wide and with tendrils on the stem.
• Vine can grow as high as 12m.
• Flowers are cream-coloured or somewhat green that emerge out
beneath a leaf or branch.
• It is monoecious plant but male and female flowers are borne in
separate places.
• Male vine posses flowers in cluster and female vine in solitary.

4. • Fruit is light green, pear-shaped, may weigh as much as 1 kg but most
often is from 170-340 grams.
• Fruit posses only one flat edible seed differing from its multi-seeded
relative.
• Fruit may be slightly grooved, and its skin may be prickly or smooth.

5. Variety:-
• Mainly spiny and non-spiny green types. Also white-yellowish variety
are found.
• Chayote varieties are mostly exotic in Nepal and were introduced by
IAAS under ‘Program in Science & Technology’ funded by USAID
during 2040-2053 B.S
• Commercial varieties are Florida Green and Monticello White.
• It is believed that 30 native cultivars exist in northern part of Nepal.
• Recommended varieties for Nepalese conditions are: N-23, N-56, N-
67,CR-87, M-74, M-95.

6. Whitish-yellow green non-spiny
Green spiny

7. Climate and Soil:-
• It favours low temperature and high humidity but can be grown under
full sun to mild shaded conditions.
• Grown successfully from 600-2000 m asl.
• Optimum temperature range varies from 18-22 C for growth.
• It is susceptible to frost.
• It grows well on nutrient rich, well-drained, loam soil.
• Soil should be fertile enough with well decomposed organic matter.
• It cannot withstand waterlogging.
• pH=5.5-6.5 since it slightly tolerant to acidic soils.

8. Field Preparation:-
• One deep ploughing followed by 2-3 light ploughing and planking.
• Remove any weeds and level the land to prevent water stagnation.
• 20-25 tons of well rotten FYM is added during last plough.
• Whole fruit is planted as a seed.
• Each fruit has single large seed that sprouts as soon as the fruit
reaches maturity.

9. Planting time, seed rate, Spacing:-
• In hills, seeds are planted during oct-Nov and harvest till Nov.
• In terai region, seeds are planted during july-august (rainy season) and
harvested during june-October.
• In controlled environment, it can be planted all round the year.
• It is planted in pits of 45cm2 at the spacing of 3-5m*1-3m.
• Each pit is filled with manures and fertilizers mixed with top soil.
• 2-3 sprouted fruits from high yielding vines are planted in each pit and
irrigated.
• Sprouted fruits produce new shoot in 8—10 days and flowering starts after
3-4 months of planting.

10. Manures and fertilizers:-
• Depends upon soil test result, variety etc.
• FYM= 20-25 tons/ha is applied during field preparation.
• Fertilizer doses per pit, 20-25 kg FYM, 30g N, 20g P and 30g K.
• 50 gm urea can be given per plant during flowering.

11. Irrigation:-
• Frequency of irrigation depends on soil type, climatic conditions, and
planting time.
• Timely irrigation especially in dry season is very important.
• Crops grown during rainy season does not require any irrigation.
• Water stress should be avoided during flowering and fruiting stages.
• Mulching can be done to prevent the moisture loss and to check
weeds.

12. Intercultural operations:-
• Weed control:
• Natural weed control by mulching. Also, chemicals like weedicides,
herbicides can be used.
• Training:-
• As the plant grows like vine, it needs proper support for growth.
• Pandals and trellis can be constructed by using bamboos.
• It can also be allowed to climb on small trees.

13. Harvesting:-
• Chayote is harvested manually by using scissors.
• The tender shoots and fruits should be harvested alternatively in 5-6
days.
• Fruits are ready for harvesting after 35-40 days of flowering prior to
seed development.
• Generally, tubers are harvested in 2-3 years.

14. Yield:-
• Yield varies with climatic conditions, varieties cultivated, and
management practices.
• Green shoots 1.5-2.5 kg/plant.
• Fruits yield= 15-60 kg/plant.
• Tubers=7-14 kg/plant.

15. Health benefits:-
• The tuberous part of the root is starchy and eaten like a yam (can be
fried). It can be used as pig or cattle fodder, as well.
• Tea made from the leaves has been used in the treatment
of hypertension, and to dissolve kidney stones.
• The fruit contains dietary fiber that prevents constipation and
irritable bowel syndrome.
• Chayote is rich in folate, magnesium and potassium which are
necessary for heart health.
• Folate is necessary for pregnant women as woman’s blood levels of
folate decrease during pregnancy. Folate deficiency causes Neural
tube defects, birth defects, limb malformations and certain heart
defects.

16. • Decreases irritability, insomnia and gingivitis
• Magnesium prevents muscle cramps.
• Copper and manganese in chayote help to keep the thyroid healthy.
• It prevents Alzheimer’s disease, cells damage as well as frequent colds
& infections.
• Chayote consumption prevent bone loss as it has Vitamin K.
• Protects you from depression and fatigue
• Enhances the health of teeth, gums, lung and spine.
• Anemia is caused by Vitamin B2 and iron deficiency. Chayote is
packed with Vitamin B2 and iron which are required by body for the
production of red blood cell and thereby increase hemoglobin levels.

17. • Vitamin B6 in the fruit helps to improve memory performance.
• Improves wound healing and immune system.
• There are various vitamins and minerals in this fruit that helps to
prevent cancer. Vitamin C, folate, Calcium, selenium, Vitamin E,
Magnesium, Zinc and Vitamin B6 all protect against cancer.
• Chayote pears exude clear latex like liquid particularly while peeling
that can cause peculiar tingling sensation and numbness in handling
parts.

18. Diseases:-
fungal diseases
• Powdery mildew ( Erysiphe cichoracearum )
Symptoms first appear on the under side of the older leaves as white or
grey leaf spots covered with a kind of dust and eventually cover both
surfaces.
-Use resistant varieties.
-Spray 0.03%Kerathane at weekly intervals.
• Downy mildew (Pseudoperonospora cubensis)
-Symptoms appear as yellow to brown angular spots on leaves with
downy growth on lower surface.
-Spray 0.2% solution of Dithane z-78 or Blitox @2-3 ml/litre of water.
-use disease free seed for sowing.

19. • Anthracnose (Colletotrichom lagenarium)
Reddish brown, dry leaf spots are formed resulting in the death of leaf.
-Spray Bavistin(0.1%) or Dithane z-78 (0.2%) at 7-10 days interval.
-Use of resistant varieties.
• Collar rot (Rhizoctonia solani)
Stem shows brown to dark brown lesions at soil level.
-Seed treatment with thiram @2g/kg of seed before sowing.
• Fusarium wilt ( Fusarium oxysporium)
This fungus attack the plants at any stage even the seeds in the field. It
causes damping off of seedlings.
-Follow crop rotation.
-Drench the soil with 0.2-0.3% solution of captan.

20. Insects and pests:-
• Fruit fly (Dacus cucurbitae)
-Apply malathion (0.1%) and repeat at weekly interval.
-Destroy the affected fruit by burrowing deep in the ground.
• Red Pumpkin Beetle(Aulocophora foveicollis)
-follow sanitary methods.
-Spray Lindane 0.1% (BHC)
• Aphids (Aphis gossypii)
-Spray 0.1% solution of Malathion.
-Follow sanitary methods.

21. Some dishes:-

22. ThankYou
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