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ASH
GOURD (Benincasa hispida)
It
is annual vine trailing on the soil surface. It is also
known as wax gourd. The crop prefers a warm tropical
climate and deep loamy soil.
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KAU
Local, Indu.
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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.
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.
Seed
Rate
0.75-1.0
kg/ha
Spacing
3.0 m x 2.0 m
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.
For trailing, spread dried twigs on the ground.
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During
the initial stages of growth, irrigate at an interval
of three or four days. Irrigate on alternate days during
flowering and fruiting.
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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.
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Conduct
weeding, and raking of the soil at the time of fertilizer
application. Earthing up may be done during rainy season.
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%.
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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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Fully
mature fruits show disappearance of ashy bloom on the
fruit surface. Harvesting starts in 90-100 days after
sowing and may continue up to 150 days after sowing.
The fruits can be stored in a well ventilated room for
4-5 months.
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Not
Available
Fruit
yield is 25-30 tonnes/ha.
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