Bottle Gourd Farming in India: Popular Varieties & Complete Cultivation Guide

Table of Content

• Introduction
• Different Varieties of Bottle Gourd
• Steps to Bottle Gourd Cultivation in India
  • Soil & Climate
  • Land Preparation
  • Nursery Raising & Transplantation
  • Irrigation
  • Fertilization
  • Plant Protection
  • Harvest & Yield

Introduction

Bottle Gourd is also known as louki or Doodhi in Hindi. The scientific name of Bottle Gourd is Lagenaria sicerariais and it belongs to the family of Cucurbitaceae. It is a well-loved and popularly eaten vegetable, used in various culinary dishes, from savoury curries and pickle to sweet dishes such as halva, kheer, pedha and barfi. It is also an incredibly nutrient rich vegetable, composed of 96% water and packed with fibres and vitamins. The unique name of the vegetable is derived from its long, bottle-kind shape. The crop usually grows in warmer regions with a high temperature climate. In India, the vegetable is grown across the states of Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh and Haryana and is considered one of the oldest cultivated vegetables.

What are the Different Varieties of Bottle Gourd in India?

Here are some of the important varieties of Bottle Gourds grown in India, along with their distinct features.

What is the Step-by-step process of Bottle Gourd Cultivation in India?

The Bottle Gourd cultivation in India involves several steps from soil & climate requirements, land preparation to harvesting and yield. Let’s discuss each step below:

Soil & Climate

The first important step in Bottle Gourd farming is understanding what the crop requires in terms of soil and climate. For Bottle Gourd, the appropriate soil type is sandy loam and loamy soils that are well-drained and rich in organic matter. The ideal pH range of the soil should be between 6.5 – 7.5 (too much acidic soil is not suitable). Good drainage is also extremely important in order to prevent root damage. Bottle Gourds grow best in warm or humid climates. The right temperature for growing this vegetable is between 25° - 35°C. However, it can also tolerate a temperature of 18°C-22° during nighttime.

Land Preparation

Ploughing should be done deeply, around 6-7 times, and the land should be harrowed to bring the soil to a fine tilth. It can help break clods and improve soil aeration. Before initiating the process of planting, incorporate 3 – 4 tons of well-rotted, FYM or organic compost to enhance soil fertility. After that, furrows and pits should be formed at a spacing of 2-3 meters between rows and 1-1.5 meters between seeds.

Nursery Raising & Transplantation

Bottle Gourds are commonly grown in nurseries and transplanted on to the field. These seedlings grow in a protected and enclosed environment, reducing the risk of pest, diseases or any adverse weather conditions. This way the crops grow healthy, uniform and give out better yield.

Sowing in Nurseries

• The seeds are first soaked in water for 12-24 hours before sowing. This helps in quick and uniform germination.

• After that, the seeds are sown about 1-2 cm deep in nursery beds, portrays, polythene bags or containers.

Seed Rate

• Seed rate for bottle gourd can range from 1.5 – 2.0 kg per hectare (12-14 kg per acre), varying according to sowing method.
• In the pit method, about 5-6 seeds are sown per pit and later thinned to 2-3 healthy seedlings.

Transplanting

• Seedlings that are about 15-20 days old (with 4-5 leaves) are transplanted onto the main field.
• The spacing on the main field can vary from 2-2.5 meters (between rows) and 0.75-1.5 meters (between plants).

This method of sowing ensures stronger plant establishment, in comparison to direct sowing on to the field.

Irrigation

Since Bottle Gourd is a summer crop, irrigation is required more frequently at an interval of 4-5 days. Drip Irrigation technique is usually preferred in the cultivation of Bottle Gourd. Irrigation is especially important during flowering and fruiting stage. Water the Bottle Gourd seeds at least 1 inch every week to keep them moist and enact. However, in the rainy season, irrigation can be reduced or completely avoided.

Fertilization

Before the final ploughing, mix 50 kg of farmyard manure (FYM) and 100 kg of neem cake into the soil along with Azospirillum (2 kg per hectare), Phosphobacteria (2 kg per hectare), and Pseudomonas (2.5 kg per hectare). For each planting pit, add 10 kg of FYM (which equals 20 tons per hectare) and apply 100 g of NPK fertilizer in a 6:12:12 ratio as a basal dose. Then, 30 days after sowing, apply 10 g of nitrogen per pit.

Here’s a detailed list of fertilization and nutrient management for Bottle Gourd plant:

1. 19:19:19 = 53 kg/ha
2. 13:0:45 = 199kg/ha
3. 12:61:0 = 25 kg/ha
4. Urea = 351 kg/ha

Plant Protection

Bottle Gourd plants are affected by several pests and diseases. Common pests include leaf miners, red pumpkin beetles, aphids, thrips, whiteflies, pumpkin caterpillars and fruit flies. To control mites, spray Dicofol (18.5% SC) at 2.5 ml per liter of water. For aphids, use Imidachloprid at 0.5 ml per liter, mixed with a sticker like Teepol or Triton X-100 for better coverage. Beetles, fruit flies, and caterpillars can be managed by spraying Malathion (50 EC), Dimethoate (30 EC), or Methyl Demeton (25 EC) at 1 ml per liter of water. In case of diseases such as powdery mildew, spray Dinocap (1 ml/liter), Carbendazim (0.5 g/liter), or Tridemorph (1 ml/liter). Whereas Downy mildew can be controlled by spraying Mancozeb or Chlorothalonil at 2 g per liter, twice at 10-day intervals.

Harvest & Yield

Bottle gourd may be harvested 55-75 days after sowing. The fruit should be harvested when the rind of the fruit is very tender and green. The fruit becomes unfit for sale if harvesting is delayed. The average yield is 100-150q/ha.