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PUMPKIN
(Cucurbita moschata)
Pumpkin
is a direct sown cucurbit. It requires a deep well drained
loamy soil.
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Ambili,
Suvarna and Saras.
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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.
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.
Seed
Rate
1.0
to 1.5 kg/ha
Spacing
3.0 m x 2.0 m
Sowing
Four of five seeds are sown per pit. Remove unhealthy
plants after 2 weeks and retain 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 periods.
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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). 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 flies, epilachna beetle and red pumpkin beetle
are important pests affecting pumpkin. They can be controlled
as in case of bitter gourd.
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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.
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Harvest
starts from 85-90 days after sowing. When fully mature,
the colour of the fruit skin turns from green to brown
and the fruit stalk separate from the vine.
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Not
Available
The
yield varies from 20-30 tonnes/ha.
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