How to cultivate bottle gourd

Mummy asks about eating green vegetables like okra, bottle gourd and bitter gourd  because it is good for your health and kids replies what about taste? 

Yes, every Indian mom is concerned about their child's taste and health preferences and at the end they choose bottle gourd for health although they know bottle gourd is known for its lack of inherent flavor, which makes it seem bland and unappealing to many. 

Bottle gourd which is also known as lauki in indian local language, is the most hated vegetable for children but most nutritious and healthier choice of every indian moms thus there are many creative recipes that can transform bottle gourd into a more enjoyable dish, such as Lauki Coconut Curry, Lauki Yakhni, and even desserts like Lauki Halwa. These recipes often mask the bland taste and texture by incorporating flavorful spices and ingredients.  

 Understanding about bottle gourd

Bottle Gourd is an annual, vining plant that produces fruits of diverse shapes and sizes, ranging from short and round to long and cylindrical. 

It is also known as Lagenaria siceraria in scientific language also, it  is a versatile and ancient plant belonging to the Cucurbitaceae family. 

It is widely cultivated for its unique fruits, which can be used both as a vegetable and as a material for crafting various items. 

Bottle gourd is one of the oldest cultivated plants, with evidence of its use dating back thousands of years. 

It is grown in tropical climates worldwide and is particularly diverse in India, where it is a common vegetable and craft material, mature bottle gourds are dried and hollowed out to make utensils, containers, and musical instruments. 

Bottle gourd cultivation is best suited for warm and moist climates, typically during the summer and monsoon seasons. Here are the specific sowing times for different regions:

Also Read: Step by Step guidance for cucumber farming

• Plains: For summer crops, seeds are sown from January to February. For monsoon or rainy crops, sowing occurs from June to July.
• Hills: Seeds are sown in April for the summer crop.
• General Seasons: Bottle gourd can be grown throughout the year in regions with sufficient water supply, but the ideal seasons are January-March and September-December.

Bottle gourd is cultivated in several states across India, with some states being more prominent in its production. Here are the top states for bottle gourd cultivation:

1. Uttar pradesh: Uttar pradesh is known for being the largest producer of bottle gourd in India, with an annual production of about 8.5 lakh tons. The state's favorable climate and fertile soil make it ideal for bottle gourd cultivation.
2. Bihar: Bihar is often considered the largest producer of bottle gourd, with an average production of around 3.5 lakh tons per year. The state's fertile alluvial soil and suitable climate contribute to its high yields.
3. Madhya pradesh: This state is also ranked among the top producers, contributing significantly to India's bottle gourd production. It offers profitable farming opportunities due to its favorable conditions.
4. Haryana: Haryana ranks fourth in bottle gourd production, yielding about 351.18 thousand tons annually. The state benefits from a strong agricultural sector and high market demand.
5. Chhattisgarh: Chattisgarh produces around 2 lakh tons annually, generating substantial profits for farmers. The state's climate supports the growth of bottle gourd effectively. 

Bottle gourds have a lot of cultivation profitability as bottle gourd is considered a profitable crop for farmers, especially in regions like Bangladesh and India. In Bangladesh, the gross return per hectare is significantly higher than the gross cost, with a benefit-cost ratio of 2.22. 

In India, particularly in Meerut district, the net income from bottle gourd cultivation can range from Rs. 97,413 to Rs. 126,399 per hectare, depending on farm size. Due to the season and regional difference the price may vary of bottle gourd. 

Also Read: Okra Farming: Health Benefits, Cultivation Guide, and Top Producing States

Different varieties of bottle gourd

Bottle gourd varieties are diverse and can be categorized based on their shape, size, and growth characteristics. Here are some of the notable varieties: 

1. Arka Nutan: Arka Nutan has a yield potential of 46 tons per hectare, making it a high-yielding variety suitable for commercial cultivation. The fruits are light green, medium cylindrical in shape, and weigh between 367-428 grams on average. It is ready for first picking by 56 days after sowing, which is relatively early compared to some other varieties. Arka Nutan is a reliable choice for farmers looking to cultivate bottle gourd due to its high yield, disease resistance, and early maturity.
2. Arka Ganga: Arka ganga is a notable variety of bottle gourd developed by the Indian Institute of Horticultural Research (IIHR). It has a high yield potential of 58 tons per hectare, making it suitable for commercial cultivation, and  It exhibits early flowering, with the first female flower appearing at the 12th node, and takes 47 days for the first female flower to appear.
3. Shape-Based Varieties

• Long Bottle Gourd: Suitable for making curries and stews.
• Round Bottle Gourd: Often used in soups and stews.
• Lattu Shape (Short and Thick): Ideal for pickling and making chutneys.

These varieties are cultivated across different regions in India, each offering unique characteristics that cater to various culinary and cultural preferences.

Also Read: Broccoli farming in India: Varieties, Nutritional Value, and Health Benefits

Guidance for cultivation of bottle gourd 

Cultivating bottle gourd involves several steps, from land preparation to harvesting. Here's a comprehensive guide on how to cultivate bottle gourd effectively:

1. Land preparation:  Bottle gourd grows best in well-drained fertile silt loam or sandy loam soil rich in organic matter, preparing the field  by ploughing the land to a fine tilth, followed by harrowing. Make furrows at a distance of 2.0 to 3.0 meters apart.
2. Sowing seeds: Sow seeds in January-February for the summer crop and June-July for the rainy season crop. In hills, sow in April, treat seeds by soaking seeds in water or succinic acid (600 ppm) for 12-24 hours to enhance germination, sow seeds 1-2 cm deep in furrows or pits.
3. Fertilizers: Apply farmyard manure (FYM) at 10-15 tons per hectare during land preparation, use a balanced fertilizer with a total N:P:K requirement of 80:80:100 kg per acre. Apply 50% nitrogen and full phosphorus and potassium as basal dose, with top dressing of nitrogen at 30 and 50 days after sowing.
4. Irrigation: Water at intervals of 3-4 days during the initial stages and alternate days during flowering and fruiting, ensure about 1 inch of water per week to maintain soil moisture. 
5. Harvesting: Bottle gourds are ready for harvest 55-75 days after sowing, when the rind is tender and green, Harvest at the tender stage to ensure marketability