ASH GOURD (Benincasa hispida)
Season
Ash gourd can be successfully grown during January-March and September-December. For rainfed crop, sowing can also be started after the receipt of the first few showers during May-June.
Varieties: KAU Local, Indu
Seed rate: 0.75-1.0 kg/ha
Preparation of land
Pits of 60 cm diameter and 30-45 cm depth are taken at 4.5 x 2.0 m spacing. Well rotten FYM and fertilizers are mixed with topsoil in the pit.
Sowing
Seeds are sown at the rate of four or five per pit. Remove unhealthy plants after two weeks and retain two or three plants per pit.
Manuring
Apply FYM @ 20-25 t/ha as basal dose along with half dose of N (35 kg) and full dose of P2O5 (25 kg) and K2O (25 kg/ha). The remaining dose of N (35 kg) can be applied in two equal split doses at the time of vining and at the time of full blooming.
Aftercultivation
During the initial stages of growth, irrigate at an interval of three or four days. Irrigate on alternate days during flowering and fruiting. For trailing, spread dried twigs on the ground. Conduct weeding, and raking of the soil at the time of fertilizer application. Earthing up may be done during rainy season.
Pests
Fruit fly, epilachna beetle and red pumpkin beetle are important pests affecting ash gourd. They can be controlled as given under bitter gourd. Aphids can be controlled by spraying malathion 0.05% or quinalphos 0.03%.
Diseases
Powdery mildew and mosaic are important diseases in ash gourd. They can be controlled as in bitter gourd.
Harvesting can be done only after 10 days (at least) of insecticide / fungicide application. The fruit should be washed thoroughly in water before cooking.
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