Sweet Gourd

Common Name: Misti kumra

Scientific Name:  Cucurbita maxima

Sweet Gourd is native to North America. They typically have a thick, orange or yellow shell, creased from the stem to the bottom, containing the seeds and pulp. Pumpkins are widely grown for commercial use, and are used both in food and recreation. Pumpkins are monoecious, having both male and female flowers on the same plant. The female flower is distinguished by the small ovary at the base of the petals. These bright and colorful flowers have extremely short life spans and may only open for as short a time as one day. The color of pumpkins is derived from the orange pigments abundant in them. The main nutrients are lutein and both alpha and beta carotene, the latter of which generates vitamin A in the body.

Sweet Gourd  are very versatile in their uses for cooking. Most parts of the pumpkin are edible, including the fleshy shell, the seeds, the leaves, and even the flowers. When ripe, the pumpkin can be boiled, baked, steamed, or roasted.

Production technology of  Sweet Gourd

Season and at the time of full blooming: 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

Preparation of land: Pits of 60 cm diameter and 30-45 cm depth are taken at a spacing of 4.5 x 2.0m.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.

After cultivation: 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.

Pests: Important pests affecting pumpkin are-  Fruit flies,  Epilachna beetle and Red Pumpkin beetle.

Diseases: Important diseases affecting pumpkin are-  Downy mildew,  Powdery mildew and  Mosaic.

Harvesting can be done only after 19 days (at least) of insecticide / fungicide application. The fruits should be washed thoroughly in water before cooking. .