The document provides information on the general features and cultivation of cucurbits. Some key points: - Most cucurbits are annuals that are direct sown and propagated through seeds. They have a long taproot system and branched, climbing stems. - Leaves are usually simple and 3-5 lobed with tendrils in the leaf axils. Flowers are highly cross-pollinated by honey bees. - Common cucurbits include cucumber, muskmelon, pumpkin, and squash. These are mostly monoecious with male and female flowers on the same plant. - Proper soil preparation, fertilizer application, irrigation, and pest management are required at

1. Most of the cucurbits are annuals, direct sown and propagated
through seed.
Long tap root system.
Branched stem 3-8 branched and climbing.
Leaves are simple, mostly 3-5 lobed
Tendrils on axils of leaves
Highly cross pollinated by honey bees.
General Features of Cucurbits

2. Sex Form Description Example
Hermaphrodite A flower that has both staminate and
carpellate parts.
Ridge gourd
Monoecious A plant has male flowers and
female flowers in separate structures on the
same plant.
Cucumber, Musk melon, Pumpkin,
Summer squash, Winter squash, water
melon, Sponge gourd, Round melon,
Bottle gourd, Bitter gourd, Ridge gourd
Androecious Individual plant bears only staminate
flowers.
Cucumber , Muskmelon
Gynoecious Individual plant bears only pistillate flowers. Cucumber, Bitter gourd, Musk melon,
Watermelon, Ridge gourd
Andromonoecious Individual plant bears both hermaphrodite
and staminate flowers.
Water melon, Cucumber
Gynomonoecious Individual plant bears both hermaphrodite
and pistillate flowers.
Cucumber, Musk melon, Ridge gourd
Trimonoecious Individual plant bears hermaphrodite,
staminate, and pistillate flowers.
Cucumber
Sex Forms in Cucurbits

3. Crop - Bottle gourd
Botanical name: Lagenaria siceraria
Family : Cucurbitaceae
Chromosome number : 2n = 22
Local name: Lauki (Hindi), Surakaya (Telugu),
Bottle gourd is monoecious but male and
female flowers are born separately in the same
plant.
Flowers opens in the evening.

4. Growth Habit Annual climber
Stem Stem is slender at young and become angular on maturity
Leaves Simple, non lobed
Tendrils Tendril is seen on leaf axils
Flowers Flowers are solitary and appear on leaf axils
Flower colour White colour
Calyx 5 sepals, lobed,
Corolla 5 petals; united , white in colour
Androecium Stamens 3, attached to the calyx tube
Gynoecium Inferior ovary; 3 carpels
Sex ratio 5:1 to 15:1 (Male : Female)
Morphology of Bottle gourd

5. Ovary
5 Calyx
5 Corolla
Leaf Axils
Tendril
3 carpels
Bottle gourd (Female flower)

6. Bottle gourd (Male flower)
3 Stamens5 Calyx
5 Corolla

7. 7
GROWTH PHASES
Periodic plant life cycle Duration (in days)
Seed germination 2-3
Seedling 3-12
Vegetative growth 12-38
Flowering and Fruiting 38-90

8. 8
Crucial Stages
 Stages
 Nursery stage
 Vegetative stage (Training)
 Flowering stage
 Fruiting stage
 Problems
 Diseases infection in nursery stage
 Excessive stem height in nursery stage
 Excessive vine growth
 Delay flowering
 Pollination issues

9. Cultivation: Climate and Season
Climate:
Mainly warm season crops
Vegetable forcing : River bed cultivation (winter)
Day temperature : 180C - 300C
Can’t tolerate frost and strong wind
Low temperature high humidity stimulates female
flower.
Season:
 Kharif: June - July
 Rabi : January - February
 River bed: Oct – Nov
 In south and central India, sowing is done throughout
the year.
Sowing
time in a
year
River bed
Oct- Nov
Kharif
June-July
Rabi
Jan-Feb

10. Cultivation: Soil and Field Preparation
Deep, well drained soil
Sandy to sandy loam
pH : 5.8 – 7.5
Ploughing: 3-5 fine tilth
Soil
pH- 5.8-7.5
Ploughing
3-5
Bed/channal
preparation
Plant x Plant Row x Row
0.90m 1.50m (Stacking)
0.90m 2.0 – 3.0m
Spacing

11. 1. Direct seeding
On raised beds, sow one to two seeds per hole at a depth of 2-3 cm.
When planted in warm soil, seedlings will emerge in a week or less.
Thining to one seedling when they have two true leaves.
2. Nursery raising
Sow seeds in trays having 50 cells using a coco-peat that has good water-holding capacity and good
drainage.
Sowing one seeds per cell.
Water the seedlings thoroughly every morning to maintain a moisture.
The seedlings are sprayed with commercially available supplemental nutrient mixtures
of NPK (19:19:19) @ 1-2 g per litre of water at 2-3 day intervals to maintain healthy growth.
Seedlings are ready for transplanting 10–12 days after sowing.
 Transplanting
 The ideal transplant is a seedling with 2-3 true leaves, Transplanting should be done in the late
afternoon.
Cont..
 Seed Rate
1.5 – 2.5 kg/ha
CROP ESTABLISHMENT

12. Nursery raising
Seeds Sowing
Cotyledon leaf stage
Germination
Ready to transplanting
Beds

13. Cultivation: Manure & Fertilizers
Fertilizers (kg/ha)
Nitrogen Phosphorus Potash
80 50 50
 Application:- 25% of N, and 100% of P and K is given as basal dose
15% of N – 15 DAT
15% of N – At flowering
15% of N – After first harvesting
15% of N - After Fourth Harvesting
15% of N - After Eight Harvesting
Excess nitrogen application coupled with high temperature results in reduced female
flower production.
 Depends on the fertility status of the soil
 In heavy and light soils, it is desirable to add well decomposed FYM @ 15-20 t/ha at least
two weeks before transplanting

14. 14
NUTRIENT DEFICIENCY
Nutrient Symptoms Remedy
Nitrogen  Nitrogen deficiency symptoms begin as pale green
leaves, often smaller than normal; and stunted,
weak shoot growth
 first evident in older leaves
Top dressing with inorganic
nitrogen fertilizer.
Foliar spray of nitrogen fertilizers
@ 0.5% N.
Phosphorus  Phosphorus deficiency symptoms begin with
reduced growth with short, thin shoots.
 Leaves are small, and defoliation follows starting
with the lower leaves.
 Stunted, but normal green color
Spray 1-2% super phosphate
solution (10 g/ litre).
Potassium  Potassium deficiencies are first characterized by
reduced growth, weak stems, and shoot die-back.
 Leaf symptoms include dull bluish-green
discolorations, particularly in the interveinal areas
of the leaves,
 General chlorosis particularly at the leaf tips and
margins
 If fruit is getting thinner from upper side, than this
is deficiency of Potash (K)
Normally, about 50 kg K/ha will be
adequate for the soil deficient in
potassium.

15. 15
Nutrient Symptoms Remedy
Calcium  Symptoms appears first on young leaves as
chlorotic patches
 Margin of young leaves become yellow
 Rotting in initial Flowering phase and Buds.
 if fruit is thinner from lower side ,this is the
deficiency of Calcium ( Ca) .
Calcium deficiency can be
corrected by liming the soil in the
appropriate quantity.
Apply calcium containing fertilizers
like Calcium nitrate or calcium
chloride.
Sulphur  Symptoms of Sulfur deficiency are much like those
caused by Nitrogen
 Reduced leaf size, stunted growth, chlorosis,
orange to purplish pigmentation and delayed
maturity
Sulphur deficiency can be
corrected by applying fertilizers
containing sulphur like
Ammonium sulphate, Sulphate of
Potash.
Magnesium  Magnesium deficiency symptoms begin with
chlorosis, sometimes with red or orange coloration
on the oldest leaves.
 As symptoms progress the older leaves shrivel and
drop, the veins on the remaining leaves stay green
and the interveinal areas have an orange chlorotic
mottle.
Spray of foliage with 1% MgSO4
solution to correct the deficiency.
NUTRIENT DEFICIENCY

16.  First irrigation is given immediately after Transplanting / sowing to enhance proper
seed germination.
 Subsequent irrigations are given at 3-4 day intervals in summer months.
 In rainy season, irrigation is required only during the prolonged dry spell.
 Bottle gourd requires good soil moisture conditions to promote vegetative growth
and to produce attractive, shining green, tender fruits of regular shape.
WATER MANAGEMENT
 Water management strategies depends on the following aspects:
 Type of soil
 Soil water holding capability
 Type of irrigation
 Rainfall
 Sources of water

17. 17
Crucial Stages of Irrigations
 Stages
 Nursery and early vegetative stages
 Flowering stage
 Fruiting stage
 Problems
 Excessive irrigation at seedling stage may cause damping off
 Stagnation of water at vegetative phase results in poor stand of growth due to soil
borne diseases
 Rotting in initial fruits

18. 18
WEED MANAGEMENT
 Crucial stages: Early stages of plant growth
 Chemical management:
Commercial product Chemical Name Dose (lit/acre) Time of application
Roundup Glyphosate 41% SL 2.00 Pre-plant incorporation (10
days before transplanting)
Stomp Xtra Pendimethalin 38.7% 0.700 Pre-emergence
Gramoxone Paraquat Dichloride
24% SL
0.800 – 1.0 Pre-emergence/ Post-
emergence
 Manual management: Remove the weeds by hand hoe at vines start spreading on beds.
 Two to three hoeing is given to keep down the weeds during the early stage of growth.

19. Harvest
 Bottle gourd takes 14-16 days to reach marketable maturity after anthesis.
 Harvesting is done when fruits have attained good size but are tender.
 Tenderness of fruits is judged by their bright colour, presence of pubescence and
notching of fruits with thumbnails.
 Depending upon hybrids, season and location bottle gourd takes 50-60 days from
sowing to reach harvesting.
 Picking is done at 2 day intervals.
 Harvesting is done early in the morning or late in the evening with a sharp knife
leaving a small peduncle with the fruit.

20. Sponge gourd
Botanical name: Luffa cylindrica
Family : Cucurbitaceae
Chromosome number : 2n = 26
Local name: Gilki / Chikni Turai / Ghiatori / Nenua(Hindi),
Jhinga (Bengali), Janhi(Oriya), Neti Beeakaya (Telugu),
Heeray kayi(Kannada), Peechinga (Malayalam), Pirkanga (Tamil).
Sponge gourd is monoecious but male and female flowers are born at the same
node.
Female flowers are born singly where as male flowers appear in clusters. One male
flower from the cluster opens at one time.

21. Growth Habit Annual climber
Stem Angular
leaves Simple, Deep/Sallow lobed
tendrils Tendril is seen on leaf axils
Flowers Flowers are solitary and appear on leaf axils
Flower colour Yellow colour
Calyx 5 sepals/ lobed
Corolla 5 petals, yellow in colour
Androecium Stamens 5,
Gynoecium Inferior ovary; 3 carpels,
Sex ratio Approx. 4:1 to 10:1 (Male : Female)
Morphology of Sponge gourd

22. Corolla
Ovary
Male flower
Tendril
Calyx
3 carpels
Sponge gourd (Female flower)
Seeds

23. Sponge gourd (Male flower)
Corolla
Calyx
Stamens

24. 24
GROWTH PHASES
Periodic plant life cycle Duration (in days)
Seed germination 2-3
Seedling 3-12
Vegetative growth 12-35
Flowering and Fruiting 35-80

25. 25
Crucial Stages
 Stages
 Nursery stage
 Vegetative stage (Training)
 Flowering stage
 Fruiting
 Problems
 Diseases infection in nursery stage
 Excessive stem height in nursery stage
 Excessive vine growth
 Delay flowering
 Pollination issues

26. Cultivation: Climate and Season
Climate:
Mainly warm season crops
Vegetable forcing : River bed cultivation (winter)
Day temperature : 250C - 300C
Can’t tolerate frost and strong wind
Low temperature high humidity stimulates female
flower.
Season:
 Kharif: June - July
 Rabi : February - March
 River bed: Oct – Nov
 In central India, sowing is done throughout the year.
Sowing
time in a
year
River bed
Oct- Nov
Kharif
June-July
Rabi
Jan-Feb

27. Cultivation: Soil and Field Preparation
Deep, well drained soil
Sandy to sandy loam
pH : 6 – 7
Ploughing: 3-5 fine tilth
Soil
pH- 6-7
Ploughing
3-5
Bed/channal
preparation
Plant x Plant Row x Row
0.60 - 0.90m 1.0 - 1.5m (Stacking)
0.90m 2.0 – 2.5m
Spacing

28. 1. Direct seeding
On raised beds, sow one to two seeds per hole at a depth of 2-3 cm.
When planted in warm soil, seedlings will emerge in a week or less.
Thining to one seedling when they have two true leaves.
2. Nursery raising
Sow seeds in trays having 50 cells using a coco-peat that has good water-holding capacity and good
drainage.
Sowing one seeds per cell.
Water the seedlings thoroughly every morning to maintain a moisture.
The seedlings are sprayed with commercially available supplemental nutrient mixtures
of NPK (19:19:19) @ 1-2 g per litre of water at 2-3 day intervals to maintain healthy growth.
Seedlings are ready for transplanting 10–12 days after sowing.
 Transplanting
 The ideal transplant is a seedling with 1-2 true leaves, Transplanting should be done in the late
afternoon.
Cont..
 Seed Rate
Hybrid - 1.5 – 2.0 kg/ha
CROP ESTABLISHMENT

29. Cultivation: Manure & Fertilizers
Fertilizers (kg/ha)
Nitrogen Phosphorus Potash
100 50 50
 Application:- 25% of N, and 100% of P and K is given as basal dose
15% of N – 15 DAT
15% of N – At flowering
15% of N – After first harvesting
15% of N - After Sixth Harvesting
15% of N - After 12th Harvesting
Excess nitrogen application coupled with high temperature results in reduced female
flower production.
 Depends on the fertility status of the soil
 In heavy and light soils, it is desirable to add well decomposed FYM @ 15-20 t/ha at least
two weeks before transplanting

30. 30
NUTRIENT DEFICIENCY
Nutrient Symptoms Remedy
Nitrogen  Nitrogen deficiency symptoms begin as pale green
leaves, often smaller than normal; and stunted,
weak shoot growth
 first evident in older leaves
Top dressing with inorganic
nitrogen fertilizer.
Foliar spray of nitrogen fertilizers
@ 0.5% N.
Phosphorus  Phosphorus deficiency symptoms begin with
reduced growth with short, thin shoots.
 Leaves are small, and defoliation follows starting
with the lower leaves.
 Stunted, but normal green color
Spray 1-2% super phosphate
solution (10 g/ litre).
Potassium  Potassium deficiencies are first characterized by
reduced growth, weak stems, and shoot die-back.
 Leaf symptoms include dull bluish-green
discolorations, particularly in the interveinal areas
of the leaves,
 General chlorosis particularly at the leaf tips and
margins.
Normally, about 50 kg K/ha will be
adequate for the soil deficient in
potassium.

31. 31
Nutrient Symptoms Remedy
Calcium  Symptoms appears first on young leaves as
chlorotic patches
 Margin of young leaves become yellow
 Rotting in initial Flowering phase and Buds.
Calcium deficiency can be
corrected by liming the soil in the
appropriate quantity.
Apply calcium containing fertilizers
like Calcium nitrate or calcium
chloride.
Sulphur  Symptoms of Sulfur deficiency are much like those
caused by Nitrogen
 Reduced leaf size, stunted growth, chlorosis,
orange to purplish pigmentation and delayed
maturity
Sulphur deficiency can be
corrected by applying fertilizers
containing sulphur like
Ammonium sulphate, Sulphate of
Potash.
Magnesium  Magnesium deficiency symptoms begin with
chlorosis, on the oldest leaves.
 As symptoms progress the older leaves shrivel and
drop, the veins on the remaining leaves stay green
and the interveinal areas have an orange chlorotic
mottle.
Spray of foliage with 1% MgSO4
solution to correct the deficiency.
NUTRIENT DEFICIENCY

32.  First irrigation is given immediately after Transplanting / sowing to enhance proper
seed germination.
 Subsequent irrigations are given at 4-6 day intervals in summer months.
 In rainy season, irrigation is required only during the prolonged dry spell.
WATER MANAGEMENT
 Water management strategies depends on the following aspects:
 Type of soil
 Soil water holding capability
 Type of irrigation
 Rainfall
 Sources of water

33. 33
Crucial Stages of Irrigations
 Stages
 Nursery and early vegetative stages
 Flowering stage
 Fruiting stage
 Problems
 Excessive irrigation at seedling stage may cause damping off
 Stagnation of water at vegetative phase results in poor stand of growth due to soil
borne diseases
 Rotting in initial fruits

34. 34
WEED MANAGEMENT
 Crucial stages: Early stages of plant growth
 Chemical management:
Commercial product Chemical Name Dose (lit/acre) Time of application
Roundup Glyphosate 41% SL 2.00 Pre-plant incorporation (10
days before transplanting)
Stomp Xtra Pendimethalin 38.7% 0.700 Pre-emergence
Gramoxone Paraquat Dichloride
24% SL
0.800 – 1.0 Pre-emergence/ Post-
emergence
 Manual management: Remove the weeds by hand hoe at vines start spreading on beds.
 Two to three hoeing is given to keep down the weeds during the early stage of growth.

35. Harvest
 Sponge gourd takes 12-14 days to reach marketable maturity after anthesis.
 Harvesting is done when fruits have attained good size but are tender.
 Depending upon hybrids, season and location sponge gourd takes 40-45 days
from sowing to reach harvesting.
 Picking is done at alternate days interval.
 Harvesting is done early in the morning or late in the evening with a sharp knife
leaving a small peduncle with the fruit.

36. Ridge gourd
Botanical name: Luffa acutangula
Family : Cucurbitaceae
Chromosome number : 2n = 26
Local name: Dhar Turai / Turai (Hindi), Beeakaya (Telugu),
Ridge gourd is grown for immature and tender fruits.
Delayed harvesting renders the fruits highly fibrous.
Female flowers are born singly where as male flowers appear in clusters.

37. Growth Habit Annual climber
Stem Angular
leaves Simple, sallow lobed
tendrils Tendril is seen on leaf axils
Flowers Flowers are solitary and appear on leaf axils
Flower colour Yellow/Creamy colour
Calyx 5 sepals/ lobed, united at the base.
Corolla 5 petals, yellow/Creamy in colour
Androecium Stamens 3
Gynoecium Inferior ovary; 3 carpels
Sex ratio 5:1 to 12:1 (Male : Female)
Morphology of Ridge gourd

38. Ovary
Leaf Axils
Tendril
Corolla
Carpels
Calyx
Ridge gourd (Female flower)

39. Male flower
Female flower
3 Stamens
Ridge gourd (Male flower)

40. 40
GROWTH PHASES
Periodic plant life cycle Duration (in days)
Seed germination 2-3
Seedling 3-10
Vegetative growth 10-38
Flowering and Fruiting 38-80

41. 41
Crucial Stages
 Stages
 Nursery stage
 Vegetative stage (Training)
 Fruiting stage
 Problems
 Diseases infection in nursery stage
 Excessive stem height in nursery stage
 Excessive vine growth
 Delay flowering
 Pollination issues

42. Cultivation: Climate and Season
Climate:
Mainly warm season crops
Day temperature : 240C - 300C
Can’t tolerate frost and strong wind
Low temperature high humidity stimulates female
flower.
Season:
 Kharif: June - July
 Rabi : February - March
 River bed (Winter): Oct – Nov
 In south and central India, sowing is done throughout
the year.
Sowing
time in a
year
River bed
Oct- Nov
Kharif
June-July
Rabi
Jan-Feb

43. Cultivation: Soil and Field Preparation
Deep, well drained soil
Sandy to sandy loam
pH : 6 – 7.5
Ploughing: 3-5 fine tilth
Soil
pH- 6-7.5
Ploughing
3-5
Bed/channal
preparation
Plant x Plant Row x Row
0.60 - 0.90m 1.0 - 1.5m (Stacking)
0.90m 2.0 – 2.5m
Spacing

44. 1. Direct seeding
On raised beds, sow one to two seeds per hole at a depth of 2-3 cm.
When planted in warm soil, seedlings will emerge in a week or less.
Thining to one seedling when they have two true leaves.
2. Nursery raising
Sow seeds in trays having 50 cells using a coco-peat that has good water-holding capacity and good
drainage.
Sowing one seeds per cell.
Water the seedlings thoroughly every morning to maintain a moisture.
The seedlings are sprayed with commercially available supplemental nutrient mixtures
of NPK (19:19:19) @ 1-2 g per litre of water at 2-3 day intervals to maintain healthy growth.
Seedlings are ready for transplanting 10–12 days after sowing.
 Transplanting
 The ideal transplant is a seedling with 1-2 true leaves, Transplanting should be done in the late
afternoon.
Cont..
 Seed Rate
2 – 2.5 kg/ha
CROP ESTABLISHMENT

45. Cultivation: Manure & Fertilizers
Fertilizers (kg/ha)
Nitrogen Phosphorus Potash
60 50 50
 Application:- 25% of N, and 100% of P and K is given as basal dose
15% of N – 15 DAT
15% of N – At flowering
15% of N – After first harvesting
15% of N - After Sixth Harvesting
15% of N - After 12th Harvesting
Excess nitrogen application coupled with high temperature results in reduced female
flower production.
 Depends on the fertility status of the soil
 In heavy and light soils, it is desirable to add well decomposed FYM @ 15-20 t/ha at least
two weeks before transplanting

46. 46
NUTRIENT DEFICIENCY
Nutrient Symptoms Remedy
Nitrogen  Nitrogen deficiency symptoms begin as pale green
leaves, often smaller than normal; and stunted,
weak shoot growth
 first evident in older leaves
Top dressing with inorganic
nitrogen fertilizer.
Foliar spray of nitrogen fertilizers
@ 0.5% N.
Phosphorus  Phosphorus deficiency symptoms begin with
reduced growth with short, thin shoots.
 Leaves are small, and defoliation follows starting
with the lower leaves.
 Stunted, but normal green color
Spray 1-2% super phosphate
solution (10 g/ litre).
Potassium  Potassium deficiencies are first characterized by
reduced growth, weak stems, and shoot die-back.
 Leaf symptoms include dull bluish-green
discolorations, particularly in the interveinal areas
of the leaves,
 General chlorosis particularly at the leaf tips and
margins.
Normally, about 50 kg K/ha will be
adequate for the soil deficient in
potassium.

47. 47
Nutrient Symptoms Remedy
Calcium  Symptoms appears first on young leaves as
chlorotic patches
 Margin of young leaves become yellow
 Rotting in initial Flowering phase and Buds.
Calcium deficiency can be
corrected by liming the soil in the
appropriate quantity.
Apply calcium containing fertilizers
like Calcium nitrate or calcium
chloride.
Sulphur  Symptoms of Sulfur deficiency are much like those
caused by Nitrogen
 Reduced leaf size, stunted growth, chlorosis,
orange to purplish pigmentation and delayed
maturity
Sulphur deficiency can be
corrected by applying fertilizers
containing sulphur like
Ammonium sulphate, Sulphate of
Potash.
Magnesium  Magnesium deficiency symptoms begin with
chlorosis, on the oldest leaves.
 As symptoms progress the older leaves shrivel and
drop, the veins on the remaining leaves stay green
and the interveinal areas have an orange chlorotic
mottle.
Spray of foliage with 1% MgSO4
solution to correct the deficiency.
NUTRIENT DEFICIENCY

48.  First irrigation is given immediately after Transplanting / sowing to enhance proper
seed germination.
 Subsequent irrigations are given at 4-6 day intervals in summer months.
 In rainy season, irrigation is required only during the prolonged dry spell.
WATER MANAGEMENT
 Water management strategies depends on the following aspects:
 Type of soil
 Soil water holding capability
 Type of irrigation
 Rainfall
 Sources of water

49. 49
Crucial Stages of Irrigations
 Stages
 Nursery and early vegetative stages
 Flowering stage
 Fruiting stage
 Problems
 Excessive irrigation at seedling stage may cause damping off
 Stagnation of water at vegetative phase results in poor stand of growth due to soil
borne diseases
 Rotting in initial fruits

50. 50
WEED MANAGEMENT
 Crucial stages: Early stages of plant growth
 Chemical management:
Commercial product Chemical Name Dose (lit/acre) Time of application
Roundup Glyphosate 41% SL 2.00 Pre-plant incorporation (10
days before transplanting)
Stomp Xtra Pendimethalin 38.7% 0.700 Pre-emergence
Gramoxone Paraquat Dichloride
24% SL
0.800 – 1.0 Pre-emergence/ Post-
emergence
 Manual management: Remove the weeds by hand hoe at vines start spreading on beds.
 Two to three hoeing is given to keep down the weeds during the early stage of growth.

51. Harvest
 Ridge gourd takes 12-14 days to reach marketable maturity after anthesis.
 Harvesting is done when fruits have attained good size but are tender.
 Depending upon hybrids, season and location Ridge gourd takes 45-50 days from
sowing to reach harvesting.
 Picking is done at alternate days interval.
 Harvesting is done early in the morning or late in the evening with a sharp knife
leaving a small peduncle with the fruit.

52. Pumpkin
Botanical name: Cucurbita moschata
Family : Cucurbitaceae
Chromosome number : 2n = 40
Local name: Kashiphal, Sitaphal, Halwa Kaddoo and Lal
kaddoo.
Pumpkin is one of the few vegetables possessing a
long shelf life.
Mature and ripe fruits have strong flavour and long
shelf life
Long and hot days favour production of male flowers

53. Growth Habit Annual climber
Stem Stem is slender at young and become angular on maturity
leaves Simple, non lobed
tendrils Tendril is seen on leaf axils
Flowers Flowers are solitary and appear on leaf axils
Flower colour Yellow colour
Calyx 5 sepals/ lobed, united at the base.
Corolla 5 petals; united , yellow in colour
Androecium Stamens 3, attached to the calyx tube
Gynoecium Inferior ovary; 3 carpels,
Sex ratio 5:1 to 15:1 (Male : Female)
Morphology of Pumpkin

54. Calyx
Corolla
Ovary
Ovary
Leaf Axils
Tendril
Pumpkin Flower
Male Flower Female Flower

55. 55
GROWTH PHASES
Periodic plant life cycle Duration (in days)
Seed germination 2-3
Seedling 3-12
Vegetative growth 12-40
Flowering and Fruiting 40-90

56. 56
Crucial Stages
 Stages
 Nursery stage
 Vegetative stage
 Fruiting stage
 Problems
 Diseases infection in nursery stage
 Excessive stem height in nursery stage
 Excessive vine growth
 Delay flowering
 Pollination issues

57. Cultivation: Climate and Season
Climate:
Mainly warm season crops
Day temperature : 200C - 300C
Can’t tolerate frost
Low temperature high humidity stimulates female
flower.
Season:
 Kharif: June - July
 Rabi : Jan - March
 River bed (Winter): Oct – Nov.
Sowing
time in a
year
River bed
Oct- Nov
Kharif
June-July
Rabi
Jan-Feb

58. Cultivation: Soil and Field Preparation
Deep, well drained soil
Sandy to sandy loam
pH : 6 – 7
Ploughing: 3-5 fine tilth
Soil
pH- 6-7
Ploughing
3-5
Bed/channal
preparation
Plant x Plant Row x Row
0.60 - 1.0m 3.0 – 4.5m
Spacing

59. 1. Direct seeding
On raised beds, sow one to two seeds per hole at a depth of 2-3 cm.
When planted in warm soil, seedlings will emerge in a week or less.
Thining to one seedling when they have two true leaves.
2. Nursery raising
Sow seeds in trays having 50 cells using a coco-peat that has good water-holding capacity and good
drainage.
Sowing one seeds per cell.
Water the seedlings thoroughly every morning to maintain a moisture.
The seedlings are sprayed with commercially available supplemental nutrient mixtures
of NPK (19:19:19) @ 1-2 g per litre of water at 2-3 day intervals to maintain healthy growth.
Seedlings are ready for transplanting 10–12 days after sowing.
 Transplanting
 The ideal transplant is a seedling with 1-2 true leaves, Transplanting should be done in the late
afternoon.
Cont..
 Seed Rate
1.5 – 2.5 kg/ha
CROP ESTABLISHMENT

60. Cultivation: Manure & Fertilizers
Fertilizers (kg/ha)
Nitrogen Phosphorus Potash
100 50 50
 Application:- 50% of N, and 100% of P and K is given as basal dose
25% of N – After 35 DOS
25% of N – After 60 DOS
 Depends on the fertility status of the soil
 In heavy and light soils, it is desirable to add well decomposed FYM @ 15-20 t/ha at least
two weeks before transplanting

61. 61
NUTRIENT DEFICIENCY
Nutrient Symptoms Remedy
Nitrogen  Nitrogen deficiency symptoms begin as pale green
leaves, often smaller than normal; and stunted,
weak shoot growth
 first evident in older leaves
Top dressing with inorganic
nitrogen fertilizer.
Foliar spray of nitrogen fertilizers
@ 0.5% N.
Phosphorus  Phosphorus deficiency symptoms begin with
reduced growth with short, thin shoots.
 Leaves are small, and defoliation follows starting
with the lower leaves.
 Stunted, but normal green color
Spray 1-2% super phosphate
solution (10 g/ litre).
Potassium  Potassium deficiencies are first characterized by
reduced growth, weak stems, and shoot die-back.
 Leaf symptoms include dull bluish-green
discolorations, particularly in the interveinal areas
of the leaves,
 General chlorosis particularly at the leaf tips and
margins.
Normally, about 50 kg K/ha will be
adequate for the soil deficient in
potassium.

62. 62
Nutrient Symptoms Remedy
Calcium  Symptoms appears first on young leaves as
chlorotic patches
 Margin of young leaves become yellow
 Rotting in initial Flowering phase and Buds.
Calcium deficiency can be
corrected by liming the soil in the
appropriate quantity.
Apply calcium containing fertilizers
like Calcium nitrate or calcium
chloride.
Sulphur  Symptoms of Sulfur deficiency are much like those
caused by Nitrogen
 Reduced leaf size, stunted growth, chlorosis,
orange to purplish pigmentation and delayed
maturity
Sulphur deficiency can be
corrected by applying fertilizers
containing sulphur like
Ammonium sulphate, Sulphate of
Potash.
Magnesium  Magnesium deficiency symptoms begin with
chlorosis, on the oldest leaves.
 As symptoms progress the older leaves shrivel and
drop, the veins on the remaining leaves stay green
and the interveinal areas have an orange chlorotic
mottle.
Spray of foliage with 1% MgSO4
solution to correct the deficiency.
NUTRIENT DEFICIENCY

63.  First irrigation is given immediately after Transplanting / sowing to enhance proper
seed germination.
 Subsequent irrigations are given at 4-6 day intervals in summer months.
 In rainy season, irrigation is required only during the prolonged dry spell.
WATER MANAGEMENT
 Water management strategies depends on the following aspects:
 Type of soil
 Soil water holding capability
 Type of irrigation
 Rainfall
 Sources of water

64. 64
Crucial Stages of Irrigations
 Stages
 Nursery and early vegetative stages
 Flowering stage
 Fruiting stage
 Problems
 Excessive irrigation at seedling stage may cause damping off
 Stagnation of water at vegetative phase results in poor stand of growth due to soil
borne diseases
 Rotting in initial fruits

65. 65
WEED MANAGEMENT
 Crucial stages: Early stages of plant growth
 Chemical management:
Commercial product Chemical Name Dose (lit/acre) Time of application
Roundup Glyphosate 41% SL 2.00 Pre-plant incorporation (10
days before transplanting)
Stomp Xtra Pendimethalin 38.7% 0.700 Pre-emergence
Gramoxone Paraquat Dichloride
24% SL
0.800 – 1.0 Pre-emergence/ Post-
emergence
 Manual management: Remove the weeds by hand hoe at vines start spreading on beds.
 Two to three hoeing is given to keep down the weeds during the early stage of growth.

66. Harvest
Pumpkin takes 30-35 days to reach marketable maturity after
anthesis.
 Fruits are harvested when they are fully ripe and vines start
drying.
On maturity, colour of pumpkin fruits changes from green to yellow,
orange yellow or straw coloured.
 Depending upon hybrids, season and location Pumpkin takes 80-
90 days from sowing to reach harvesting.
The colour of peduncle also changes to straw.
The fruits are not pulled from the vines but are harvested using
sharp knife leaving a stub attached to the fruit to ensure better
keeping quality.

67. Disease Pathogen Conditions for
disease
development
Symptoms Management
Damping
of
seedlings
Pythium spp. Cool soil
temperatures, excess
soil moisture, and
delayed seedling
emergence.
Seedlings turn dull green
and cotyledons droop.
Water-soaked lesions
develop on the hypocotyls at
the soil line and seedlings wilt
and collapse.
Apron (Metalaxyl 35%)
@ 2g/kg seeds treatment
Ridomil gold (Mancozeb
64% wp) @1g/litre
Bavistin @1g/litre of
water applied for drenching.
Collar rot Rhizoctonia solani Cool soil
temperatures, excess
soil moisture, and
delayed seedling
emergence.
Young seedlings are similar
to those caused by Pythium
species.
Radicles and cotyledons
may become brown and soft
after germination, but fail to
emerge.
PLANT PROTECTION
Common Diseases

68. Disease Pathogen Conditions for
disease
development
Symptoms Management
Powdery
Mildew
Erysiphe cichoracearum
Sphaerotheca fulginea
High relative
humidity favours
infection while low
humidity and dry
conditions promote
colony growth.
White to dirty grey,
powdery fungal growth
develops on leaf surfaces,
petioles and stems.
Yellow spots may from
on upper leaf surfaces
opposites powdery
colonies
Cabrio top
(Pyraclostrobin 50% +
Metiram 55%) @ 3g/litre
Karathane (Dinocap 48%
EC) 1ml/litre
Sulfex (Sulphure80%WP)
@3g/litre
Downy
mildew
Pseudoperonospora
cubensis
Humid conditions
and frequent rains
favour the disease.
Angular, yellow spots on
the upper leaf surface.
Spots bounded by the
leaf veins.
Spots enlarge and
yellowing of the leaf,
followed by the brown
discoloration.
Ridomil gold (Mancozeb
64% wp) @3g/litre
Kavach (Chlorothalonil
78%wp) @3g/litre
Amistar (Azoxystrobin 23
%) @2ml/litre of water
Cont..

69. Cont..
Disease Pathogen Conditions for
disease
development
Symptoms Management
Anthracnose Colletotrichum
orbiculare
Disease favour
warm weather
Brown lesions with dark spots
inside on leaves and petioles,
main stem and fruit.
Kavach (Chlorothalonil
78%wp) @2g/litre
Cabrio top (Pyraclostrobin
50%) 1g/litre
Amistar(Azoxystrobin
23%SC) 0.5ml/litre of water
Spraying 7-10 day interval
Fusarium
Wilt
Fusarium
oxysporum
Fusarium wilt is
favored by warm
soil temperatures
Infection of older plants can
cause yellowing (starting in the
older leaves), stunting, or wilting,
and once wilting occurs, death
may result in 3 to 5 days.
Affected plants may develop a
lesion on the lower stem.
Blitox (Copper oxycloride)
@3g/litre
Bavistin (Carbendazim) @
1g/litre of water used as
drenching in the soil
Cont..

70. Disease Pathogen Conditions for disease
development
Symptoms Management
Alternaria
Blight
Alternaria
cucumerna
Warm moist weather
Especially leaf wetness
which allow spores time
to time germinate and
penetrate the leaf cuticle.
Yellow spots appears on
leaves which turn brown and
finally turn black on aging.
They usually start from
margins and produce
concentric rings.
Kavach (Chlorothalonil
78%wp) @2g/litre
Cabrio top (Pyraclostrobin
50%) 1g/litre
Amistar(Azoxystrobin
23%SC) 0.5ml/litre of water
Spraying 7-10 day interval
Cercospora
leaf spot
Cercospora
citrullina
The spores are airborne
and may be carried great
distances on moist winds.
Infection requires free
water and is favoured by
26°-32°C temperatures.
The organism causes spots
that are circular to irregularly
circular the centres may be
white, tan or light brown.
Chlorosis may surround
the lesions, coalesce and
eventually turn the leaf
yellow.
Kavach (Chlorothalonil
78%wp) @2g/litre
Cabrio top (Pyraclostrobin
50%) 1g/litre
Amistar(Azoxystrobin
23%SC) 0.5ml/litre of water
Spraying 7-10 day interval
Cont..

71. Disease Bacterial
pathogen
Conditions for disease
development
Symptoms Management
Angular
leaf spot
Pseudomonas
syringae
Temperatures of 24-
26oC high humidity, and
excessive nitrogen
fertilization favour
disease devel prolonged
leaf wetness favours
infection.
Small angular water
soaked spots may develop on
the leaves.
The spots are confined by
leaf veins and appear tan on
the upper surface and
gummy or shiny below.
Blitox (Copper oxycloride)
@3g/litre
Used as soil drenching
at the root zone of the
plant
Gummy
stem blight
Didymella
bryoniae
Develops in humid
conditions and in free
moisture on leaf surfaces.
The most significant
contributor to establishing
the infection is how long
plant surfaces remain wet.
Continued leaf moisture
helps lesions grow.
Symptoms on stems
consist of blackened lesions
that may crack and produce a
gummy, amber coloured sap.
Leaf symptoms include
browning of leaf margins,
and some of the affected
margins can have V-shaped
lesions, often with a yellow
halo.
Copper hydroxide +
Mancozeb in ratio of 1:1 i.e,
@2g/litre
Switch @1.5ml/litre
Used as soil drenching
at the root zone of the
plant
Cont..

72. Virus Vector Symptoms Management
Mosaic
(Cucumber mosaic virus)
Aphids Symptoms first appear on
younger leaves, which curl
downward and become mottled,
distorted and reduced in size.
Plants may become stunted
with shortened internodes,
resulting in a rosette-like
appearance of the youngest
leaves.
Spray of Actara
(Thiomethoxam 25% WP )
@ 5g/15litre of water
Confidor (Imidachloprid)
@ 0.5 ml/lit
Dantotsu(Clothianidin
50% WDG ) @ 5-7g/15lit of
Water
Water melon virus
(Papaya ring spot virus)
Aphids Leaves of affected plants show
mosaic blisters and distinct vein
banding(lighter colour between
veins with tissue adjacent to veins
remaining green)
In severe cases, leaf narrowing
and distortion may be observed.
Spray of Actara
(Thiomethoxam 25% WP )
@ 5g/15litre of water
Confidor (Imidachloprid)
@ 0.5 ml/litre of water
Dantotsu(Clothianidin
50% WDG ) @ 5-7g/15litre
of Water
Cont..

73. Disease Vector Symptoms Management
Zucchini yellow mosaic Aphids Leaves of the affected plants
show yellow mosaic (dark green
bubbles on the leaf contrast with
the lighter green of the rest of
the leaves) severe
malformation, serration and
extreme reduction in the size of
leaf.
Spray of Actara
(Thiomethoxam 25% WP ) @
5g/15litre of water
Confidor (Imidachloprid) @
0.5 ml/litre of water
Dantotsu(Clothianidin 50%
WDG ) @ 5-7g/15litre of Water
Cucumber green mottle
mosaic virus
Soil & seeds Early symptoms include vein
clearing and crumpling on
young leaves while mature
leaves become bleached and
chlorotic.
Mottling and mosaic on leaves,
fruit mottling and distortion.
Soil and seed treatment
Cont..

74. Disease Vector Symptoms Management
Beet Pseudo-Yellows
Virus
Whitefly First appear on older leaves as
yellow spots which develop into
yellow blotchy raised areas
between veins, while the veins
themselves remain green.
Spray of Actara
(Thiomethoxam 25% WP ) @
5g/15litre of water
Confidor (Imidachloprid) @
0.5 ml/litre of water
Dantotsu(Clothianidin 50%
WDG ) @ 5-7g/15litre of Water
Lutio virus Aphids First appear on older leaves.
Yellowing leaves while the veins
themselves remain bold dark
green.

75. Insect Damage Control
Fruit fly
(Bacterocera cucurbitae)
The maggots feed on the pulp of fruits as
well as on the immature seeds and cause
premature dropping of fruits.
Cover developing fruits with paper
immediately after pollination.
Spraying of Karate (lambda Cyhalothrin
5% EC) @ 2 ml /litre
Cypermil (Cypermethrin10%EC) @
2ml/litre of water.
Aphid (Aphis gossypii) Aphid are found on the shoots and also on
ventral leaf surface sucking the vital sap from
the tissues.
 The affected part turn yellow get curled.
The aphid also exude honey dew.
Spray Actara (Thiomethoxam 25% WP ) @
5g/15litre of water
Confidor (Imidachloprid) @ 0.5 ml/lit or
Dantotsu(Clothianidin 50% WDG ) @ 5-
7g/15lit of Water
Cont..
Common Insects

76. Insect Damage Control
Red Pumpkin Beetle
(Avlacophora foveicollis)
Adult beetle eats the leaves, makes hole
on foliage and causes damage on roots
and leaves.
Spraying of Karate (lambda Cyhalothrin 5%
EC) @ 2 ml /litre
Cypermil (Cypermethrin10% EC) @ 2ml/lit of
water .
Leaf miner
(Liriomyza sativa)
Leaf miner upper and lower leaf
surfaces creating winding and whitish
tunnels that are initially narrow but then
widen as the larvae grow.
Spraying of Abamectin 1.9% EC @ 1ml/litre
water
Cont..

77. Insect Damage Control
Spider Mites
(Tetranychus urticae )
Mites suck the cell sap resulting in
production of white patches between
vein and leaves.
Infected leaves turn yellowing and fall
of pre maturely.
Spraying of Abamectin 1.9% EC @1ml/liter of
water
Cont..

78. Thanks…