Hello Shailesh
Herez a brief summary of how to cultivate bottle gourd.
Bottle gourd (Lagenaria siceraria) is a widely grown tropical vegetable which has high carbohydrate content. oil can be extracted from the seed kernel and is used in hair care products. the hard shells of the bottle gourd can be used as utensils, or floats in fishing nets and even musical instruments, due to its resonating property.
bottle gourds require well drained and sandy loam soils for its good cultivation. it cannot tolerate higher amounts of acidity, alkalinity or salinity. pH range is between 5 to 5.5 .
The vegetable is grown from seed sown in mounds, ridges or prepared holes 120-180 cm apart. After germination and emerg ence, the crop is thinned to leave one seedling per space (Tindall).
Planting in India takes place at monthly intervals from February until August. The following major diseases occur in some areas, although they are not often very serious:
Cucumber Mosaic virus
Powdery Mildew
Anthracnose
The fruits are ready for harvest 100 - 120 days after sowing.
Regards
Ashwini
