PUMPKIN (Cucurbita moschata)
Season
Pumpkin can be successfully grown during January-March and September-December. For the rainfed crop, sowing can also be started after the receipt of the first few showers during May-June.
Varieties: Ambili, Suvarna and Saras
Seed rate: 1.0 to 1.5 kg/ha
Preparation of land
Pits of 60 cm diameter and 30-45 cm depth are taken at a spacing of 4.5 x 2.0 m. Well rotten FYM and fertilizers are mixed with topsoil in the pit.
Sowing
Four of five seeds are sown per pit. Remove unhealthy plants after 2 weeks and retain 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). 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 periods. 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.
Plant protection
Pests
Fruit flies, epilachna beetle and red pumpkin beetle are important pests affecting pumpkin. They can be controlled as in case of bitter gourd.
Diseases
Downy mildew, powdery mildew and mosaic are important diseases affecting pumpkin.
Harvesting can be done only after 10 days (at least) of insecticide / fungicide application. The fruits should be washed thoroughly in water before cooking.
No comments:
Post a Comment