High-yielding ridge gourd for rice fallows

By Our Agriculture Correspondent

HORTICULTURISTS AT the Regional Agricultural Research Station (RARS), Pilicode, Kasaragode in Kerala, have developed an improved ridge gourd (Luffa acutangula) with high yield potential. It has been released for commercial cultivation by the Kerala Agricultural University (KAU) as "Haritham (LA-1)".

A selection from the local varieties collected in Kasaragode district, the new ridge gourd variety has recorded an average yield of 13.24 tonnes per hectare in 95 days under normal growing conditions, according to scientists.

It yields medium sized fruits, which are cylindrical, tapering sharply towards the base and distinguishable with prominent ridges.

The fruits will weigh on an average about 650 g when they are picked at harvestable stage, and it will grow to 1029 g at full maturity when left for the purpose of collecting seeds. The average fruit length is 46.5 cm, and on an average each fruit will have 47 seeds.

"Haritham (LA-1)" is highly suitable for growing in the rice fallows in summer. The plant is of spreading type with branched stem.

The leaves are broad and light green. The male flower production starts from the 9th node onwards, whereas the first female flower is produced at 17th node. Male flowers will appear when the crop is 35 days old, and female flowers will arise three days later.

The variety has been found to be susceptible to Downey mildew disease under field conditions, and also to infestation of fruit fly and leaf miner pests, according to the scientists.

The improved variety has done exceedingly well in field trials, and established its superiority over other varieties tested. It has been found to do well in the rice fallows of Kasaragode, Kannur and Kozhikode districts in summer.

This medium-duration variety was recommended for release by the XVIII NARP Zonal workshop (North Zone) held at the NARS, Pilicode, in January 1996 based on its yield performance, according to the scientists.

"This improved variety does not resemble any of the existing varieties, and it has good cooking quality. It has wide acceptability among farmers and consumers because of its large fruit size and higher yield," pointed out the scientists. The new variety responds well to sound nutrition management and eco- friendly integrated plant protection strategies.

A nutrient dose of 70 kg nitrogen, and 25 kg each of phosphorus and potash is to be applied to the crop grown over a hectare, in addition to liberal addition of ripe farmyard manure, according to scientists.

The seeds are sown in well dug out pits, and a spacing of 2 m by 2m is recommended. It will ensure a crop density of 2500 plants per hectare. This will be a promising vegetable crop for the small-scale farmers of Kerala, and it will also become popular among avid home gardeners.

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