Pumpkin Farming in India: Cultivation, Best Varieties, Benefits & Harvesting Guide

Do you know about the Celtic festival celebrated on  October 31st, the eve of All Saints' Day called Halloween in which parties often include pumpkin decorating stations where guests can paint, decoupage, or use stickers to decorate their own pumpkins?

Pumpkins are traditionally carved with spooky faces or designs to create jack-o'-lanterns, which are then lit from within to create an eerie glow. Etching is also a popular method for a more sophisticated look.

Pumpkins have traditional and cultural significance all over the world as it is used in various Indian festivals like Diwali and Navratri as offerings and decorations, symbolizing abundance and prosperity, and in kitchens by adding in both sweet and savory dishes, such as kaddu ki sabzi in the north and sambar in the south.

Let's figure out the taste and characteristics, of pumpkin farming in India:

Understanding pumpkin more deeply

Pumpkin is considered a fruit belonging to the Cucurbitaceae family, which includes other squashes and gourds but in India, it is mostly used as a vegetable named locally like kaddu, petha, sita phal, and many more. They are typically orange but can also be yellow, white, green, or red.

They vary in size, shape, and texture, ranging from small to very large, with some varieties weighing over 2,000 pounds and mainly growing on vines with rough, heart-shaped leaves and large yellow flowers. They are botanically very similar to watermelons as they are also a type of berry known as a pepo, which is characterized by a hard rind and contains seeds.

Pumpkins are typically grown during the warmer months of the year, depending on the region. If we talk about the global season:

• Northern Hemisphere: Pumpkins are usually planted in late spring to early summer, around May or June, to mature by early fall (September or October).
• Southern Hemisphere: In countries like Australia, pumpkins are planted in mid-spring and harvested in autumn (February-March).

Also Read: Detailed information related to petha cultivation

And if we talk about India, the ideal season for growing pumpkins is: 

• Summer and Monsoon: Sowing can be done from June to July for a monsoon crop.
• Winter: Sowing can also occur from September to December for a winter crop.

There are several states across India where pumpkins are cultivated widely, with some regions being more prominent due to favorable climate and soil conditions. Here are the top pumpkin-producing states in India:

• Madhya Pradesh: Madhya Pradesh is known as the largest pumpkin-producing state in India and contributes significantly to the country's overall production. Madhya Pradesh's fertile soil and favorable climate make it ideal for pumpkin cultivation.
• Odisha: Known for its high yield and quality, Odisha is the second-largest producer of pumpkins. The state's regions like Mayurbhanj and Keonjhar have seen significant growth in pumpkin farming.
• Uttar Pradesh: This state is also a major producer, contributing a substantial amount to India's pumpkin production.
• Chhattisgarh: Chhattisgarh is known for its favorable conditions for pumpkin cultivation, contributing to its agricultural prosperity.
• Haryana: Haryana is also among the notable pumpkin-producing states, benefiting from its agricultural climate.

Different types of pumpkins

There are lots of varieties of pumpkin cultivated in India, each having its own characteristics, taste, and wrong habits. Here is an overview of this: 

1. Arka Suryamukhi

This is the popular pumpkin variety developed by the Indian Institute of Horticultural Research by the breeding process.

This fruit is round with pressed ends, typically weighing around 1 kg and r is orange-red with white stripes when mature.

Arka Suryamukhi is known for its high yield, reaching up to 34 tons per hectare.

2. Arka Chandan

The rind color is green with white patches when immature, turning to light brown with self-colored patches at maturity.

The fruit shape is flattish round and the flesh is thick, firm, and bright orange, with a high carotene content (3331 IU/100g flesh).

The average weight of this variety is between 2 to 3 kg. It requires 115-120 days to mature from sowing.

3. Ambili

Ambili is a high-yielding pumpkin variety developed by the Kerala Agricultural University.

These pumpkins are medium-sized, with flat-round fruits weighing between 4-6 kg, which is known for its high yield, comparable to other varieties like CO-2 and Suvarna.

Ambili produces more fruits per plant compared to some other varieties, with an average of 1.47 fruits per plant.

Cultivation of pumpkin

Plants can be annual or perennial vines and grow best under warm and moist conditions similar to their native semi-tropical to tropical climates.

Both male and female flowers are produced on each plant and fruit shape, size, and appearance are quite variable, ranging from smooth and small (under 3 pounds) to ribbed and quite large (more than 90 pounds). Here is an overview of this:

1. Soil Preparation

Pumpkins are going to be grown on sandy soils, access to irrigation is important to obtain optimum plant growth, uniform fruit set, and development. Soil pH should be in the 5.8-6.6 range with minimum soil compaction. Till the soil to a depth of 12 inches to loosen it and remove weeds.

2. Sowing Seeds

The correct timing for sowing seed is in late spring to early summer when soil temperatures reach at least 60°F (15°C). In India, sowing can be done in June-July or December-January, Sow seeds 1 inch deep and 4-6 feet apart. For raised beds, sow 2-3 seeds per hill and thin to the strongest seedling. Soak seeds in water for 30 minutes and incubate for 6 days to enhance germination.

3. Irrigation and Fertilization

Pumpkins are a warm-season crop, they can also be grown as transplants on raised beds with black or silver plastic mulch and drip irrigation for optimum plant growth and yields. The use of plasticulture in the production of pumpkins will:

• Increase soil temperature 8-12 degrees warmer than bare soil
• Maintain soil water availability
• Reduce weeds
• Improve soil tilth
• Reduce fertilizer and pesticide leaching under the bed

The use of drip irrigation also allows for fertilizer application (injection) throughout the growing season. Growing pumpkins using plasticulture will double the yield of pumpkins grown on bare soil or in no-till production.

4. Harvesting

Pumpkins are ready to harvest when the rind is hard and the stem is dry, typically 75-180 days after sowing depending on the variety. Cut the stem with a sharp knife, leaving a few inches attached to the fruit.

Also Read: Important facts on enhanced cucumber cultivation

Health benefits of eating pumpkins

1. They are low in calories which helps to balance the body weight while adding to your diet. Also rich in dietary fiber, which helps with digestion, satiety, and blood sugar control.
2. It has lots of antioxidant properties such as Beta-Carotene that Convert to vitamin A, protecting against oxidative damage and supporting immune function, and may reduce the risk of certain cancers due to its antioxidant content.
3. Supports skin health and combat the aging effect, and beneficial gut bacteria also Help regulate blood pressure, reducing the risk of heart disease.