Guide to Ridge Gourd Cultivation: From Soil Testing to Harvesting

Table of Contents

• An Overview of Ridge Gourd Farming in India
• How To Do Ridge Guard Cultivation?
  • Soil and Climate
  • Nursery management
  • Land preparation and plantation
  • Irrigation and fertilizer management
  • Plant protection
  • Harvesting and yield
• Which are the Major ridge gourd Producing States in India?

Overview of Ridge Gourd Farming in India

Ridge gourd, locally known as Torai in India, is a fast-growing vine vegetable. It is commonly used as dal, and in the South Indian preparation of sambhar. Oil is also extracted from ridge gourd seeds.

There is a big demand for ridge gourd in markets. It is considered a healthy food as it contains vitamins like vitamin c, minerals and dietary fiber. Furthermore, ridge gourds have properties of controlling diabetes, and since they're rich in fiber, they solve constipation-related stomach disorders.

How To Do Ridge Guard Cultivation?

Ridge Guard cultivation employs the furrow method; initially, the field undergoes ploughing and levelling. Let's have a look at the steps of the cultivation process of ridge gourd vegetable.

Soil and Climate

Ridge gourd plants grow well in humid and warm climates. However, the crop grows best in the rainy season. The preferred temperature for ridge guard farming is 25 °C, and at 32-40°C, this crop thrives well. Ridge gourd crops require well-drained and fertile soil with pH of 6.0 to 7.0.  Furthermore, ridge gourd can be grown in all types of soil. Loam, clay loam, and silt soils are some of the best-suited soils for its cultivation.

Nursery Management

Ridge gourd seeds can be directly sown in the ground or nursery.  If sowing in a nursery, sow the ridge gourd seeds 1 inch deep and 1-2 inches apart. The ridge gourd summer crop is generally sown between February and March, while the monsoon crop is sown from June to July.

Land Preparation and Plantation

To make the field weed-free and to achieve the fine tilth, plough the land 4 to 5 times. Dig pits measuring 30 x 30 x 30 cm at 1.5 to 2.5 m (row to row) x 60 to 120 cm (plant to plant) spacing.

Sow two seeds per hill which is 3 m wide and uses spacing of 75 cm to 90 cm between seeds. The seeds are sown at a depth of 2.5-3 cm. If sowing the ridge gourd seed in the ground, then sow the seeds 1.5-2 inches deep and 1-2 feet apart.

Irrigation And Fertilizer Management

Start irrigation right after planting. After that, water the plant every 4 to 5 days, depending on soil moisture. Make sure to provide enough water during flowering and fruit development, as these are the most important times for the plants. However, remember that irrigation is typically unnecessary for the rainy season crop of ridge gourd.

At the time of land preparation, well-rotted FYM @ 10-15 t/ha should be applied. NPK @ 25:30:30 kg/ha should be applied before sowing. Apply 15-25 kg N /ha thirty days after sowing.

Plant Protection

Ridge gourd plants are susceptible to various pests and diseases, including whiteflies, mealybugs, powdery mildew, downy mildew, and mosaic viruses. Hence, to control pests and disease, it is essential to practice good cultural practices. Following are some of diseases, their symptoms and control methods:

Downy Mildew

• Symptoms: Gray, fuzzy growth on leaves. Can wilt and yellow leaves.
• Control methods: Spray Dithane M-45 (4g/l) over the leaves

Mosaic virus leaves

• Symptoms: Mottled, yellow/green leaves, stunted plant growth, and distorted, small fruits.
• Control methods: Can be controlled by planting resistant varieties and using good cultural practices.

Powdery mildew white

• Symptoms: White and powdery spots on leaves leading to premature leaf fall.
• Control methods: It can be treated by spraying Karathane, Calixin, or Carbendazim fortnightly until the symptoms go away.

Red pumpkin beetle

• Symptoms: leaves become curly, dry and fall down.
• Control methods: Infestation can be treated by spraying carbaryl on the crop.

Harvesting and Yield

Ridge gourd is typically ready for the first harvest about 60 days after sowing the ridge gourd seeds. The fruit reaches markable size within five to seven days, and you can pick about 2-3 days after the fruit has stopped growing.

To remove the fruit from the plant, use a garden cutter and a pair of scissors. Do not remove the fruit by pulling; it will damage the plant. The average yield is 80-120 q/ha.

Which are the Major Ridge Gourd Producing States in India?

Ridge gourd is the popular vegetable that is eaten around Asia. Based on the recent production and cultivation data, the major producing states of Ridge guard in India include Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, and Orissa.