Ridge Gourd Or Ribbed Gourd.docx

RIDGE GOURD OR RIBBED GOURD Dr K K Mishra, Dr Khushbu Kholiya and Anjali achrya Family Botanical name

: Cucurbitaceae : Luffa acutangular Roxb.

Chromosome no. : 2n = 2x = 26 Origin

: Subtropical Asian region (including

particularly India) INTRODUCTION Ridge gourd is a very important Indian vegetable crop. It can be grown through out the year. Ridge gourd or ribbed gourd belongs to the genus Luffa. Luffa name was derived from the product “Loofah” used as bathing sponges, scrubber pads, doormats, pillows, mattresses, cleaning utensils, etc. The species contain a gelatinous compound called luffein. Ridge gourd are cultivated on a commercial scale and are grown in homestead for its immamture fruits which are used as cooked vegetable. Fibre of mature dry fruits are used as a bath sponge. As tender fruits are easily digestible and appetizing, it is prescribed for those who are suffering from malaria and other seasonal fevers. Ridge gourd is monoecious, annual, climbing or trailing herb, with acutely 5-angled stem; tendrils up to 6-fid, hairy. Leaves alternate, simple; stipules absent; petiole up to 15 cm long; blade broadly ovate to kidney-shaped in outline, 10–25 cm × 10–25 cm, shallowly palmately 5–7-lobed with broadly triangular to broadly rounded lobes, cordate at base, shallowly sinuate-dentate, pale green, scabrous, palmately veined. Male inflorescence racemose with 15–35 cm long peduncle. Flowers unisexual, regular, 5-merous, 5–9 cm in diameter; receptacle tube obconic below, expanded above, c. 0.5 cm long, lobes triangular, 1–1.5 cm long; petals free, pale yellow; male flowers with 3 free stamens inserted on the receptacle tube, connectives broad; female flowers solitary, on pedicels 2–15 cm long, with inferior, densely pubescent, longitudinally ridged ovary, stigma 3-lobed. Fruit a club-shaped, dry and fibrous capsule 15–50 cm × 5–10 cm, acutely 10-ribbed, brownish, dehiscent by an apical operculum, many-seeded. Seeds broadly elliptical in outline, compressed, up to 1.5 cm long, smooth, dull black.

NUTRITIVE VALUE The fruits of ridge gourd per 100 g edible portion (tough skin removed, edible portion 62%) is: water 94.2 g, energy 70 kJ (17 kcal), protein 0.8 g, fat 0.1 g, carbohydrate 3.3 g, fibre 1.7 g, Ca 12 mg, P 32 mg, Fe 0.3 mg, carotene 26 μg, thiamin 0.07 mg, riboflavin 0.02 mg, niacin 0.4 mg, folate 37 μg, ascorbic acid 3 mg. The composition of young Luffa leaves per 100 g edible portion is: water 89 g, protein 5.1 g, carbohydrate 4 g, fibre 1.5 g, Ca 56 mg, Fe 11.5 mg, β-carotene 9.2 mg, ascorbic acid 95 mg (Holland, B., Unwin, I.D. & Buss, D.H., 1991). The oil content in the seeds is 26%; the fatty acid composition is: linoleic acid 34%, oleic acid 24%, palmitic acid 23% and stearic acid 10%. Two trypsin inhibitors and a ribosome inactivating peptide (luffangulin) have been isolated from ridged gourd seeds. The glycoprotein luffaculin, also isolated from the seeds, exhibits abortifacient, antitumour, ribosome inactivating and immunomodulatory activities.

USES •

Ridge gourd is extremely rich in dietary fibre and enriched with all the vital elements that

include Vitamin-C, zinc, iron, riboflavin, magnesium, thiamine and traces of another minerals. •

It is low in saturated fat, cholesterol and calories that aids in weight loss.

•

Ridge gourd contains good amount of cellulose and high in water content that helps to

relieve from constipation. •

It contains insulin like peptides and alkaloids that helps to reduce the sugar levels in the

blood and urine. •

It is high in beta-carotene which is good for enhancing eye sight.

•

Ridge gourd acts effective in purifying blood. It boosts up and nourishes the liver health

and protects the liver from alcohol intoxication.

•

Ridge gourd juice is used to heal jaundice and to strengthen your immune system

against any infection. •

It is good for skin care, as the blood purifying qualities in it ensures you to stay clear

from pimples and acne. •

Ridge gourd helps to manage acidity as well as ulcers. It is well known as a cooling

agent and aids in handling burning sensation during urination. DISTRIBUTION Ridge gourd (Luffa acutangular) is believed to have originated in India, where wild types still occur, but has now spread pantropically to all areas with a high rainfall. It is cultivated and locally naturalized in West Africa, from Sierra Leone to Nigeria. It is cultivated from the coastal areas to the semi-dry savanna, e.g. in Sierra Leone, Côte d’Ivoire, Ghana, Benin and Nigeria. In East Africa ridged gourd is grown on a small scale near the big cities as an exotic vegetable for consumers of Asian origin, and it is also locally cultivated and naturalized in Madagascar, Réunion and Mauritius. In southern and eastern Asia it is a widely cultivated vegetable. In North Indian state it is called torai, in central/western India specially in MP, it is called gilki and in Gujarat it is known as turia or turya as well as ghissora in the kutchi language. Also there are many other names of ridge gourd varied from place to place in India and it is widely cultivated in every part of India.

AREA AND PRODUCTION Ridge Gourd is cultivated in approximately 24,800 Acres in India. And the average yield is 39t/acre. Total production is approximately 3,16,925 Tons.

VARIETIES There are number of improved varieties, some of which are described below

CO.1

(1976):

Selection from local type collected from Aduthurai.Fruits are 45-50cm long with distinct ridges and broader stylar end than the stalk. They are green in colour weighing700g.The variety yields 14 tonnes/ha in a crop duration of 125 days.

CO.2 (1984): Characterised by a superlong fruit weighing 90-100cm with less seed content tan CO1. They are green in colour weighing700g-800g.The variety yields 25tonnes/ha in a crop duration of 120 days. PKM 1 Fruits are 70-80cm long, club-shaped. The variety yields 160-180q/ha in 130 days. Pusa Nasdar An early variety with light green, medium-sized club-shaped fruits. It flowers in 60 days. About 15-20 fruits are borne on each vine. Satputia Vines produce bisexual flowers instead of male and female flowers separately, fruits are borne in clusters. CLIMATE AND SOIL Ridge gourd can be cultivated during summer and rainy seasons but not during winter in areas, where the temperature goes below 25°C, since it requires a temperature of 25 to 35°C, for germination of seeds.Very low temperature affects growth of vines. Sandy loam soil, rich in organic matter with pH of 6.5-7.5 is mostsuited for higher yield. Proper drainage is highly beneficial.

Crop Management

Field Preparation The field is to be ploughed three times before sowing. Field Yard manure to be applied to the fields @ 125 Kg and Neem Cake @ 250 Kg per acre along with Azospirillum 5 Kg and 6.5 Kg of Pseudomonas after 2nd ploughing. Good drainage for water is required. Propagation Propagation of the plant is through seeds. Sowing June-July is the sowing time for kharif crop,while february-March for the summer crop.

Seed Rate About 12 kg seed per Acre is required for ridge gourd cultivation. Seed Treatment The seeds of ridge gourd are very hard and having a very smooth surface and may take more time to germinate. In order to enable for earlier germination of seeds, they are to be first roughed lightly with rolling over a sand paper and soaked in luke warm water over night. Before sowing, the seeds are to be treated with Trichoderma viride @ 4 gm per kg or Pseudomonas fluorescens @ 10 gms per kg of seeds. Transplanting The seeds can be directly sowed three numbers in a pit or can be grown initially in a polythene bag filled with same soil and transplanted at the pits after a healthy growth of the plant. Thinning to two plants after healthy growth of plants to be carried out. Spacing The plants are sown at a spacing of 150 X 200 cm. Methods The seeds are sown following two methods. One is Bed type the other is Pits or furrows type. Generally the Bed type method, is followed for Trellis or raised type of growing and Pits type is followed for ground trailing

method of growing. In ground trailing method, the fruits will have a flat side whereas in raised method the fruits will be round shape. Cropping Patterns Rotation type of cropping can be followed. Water Management Drip Irrigation system is best suited for Ridge gourd growing. In this the lateral pipes are laid at an interval of 1.5 Meters and the drippers spaced @ 60cm in between with a water capacity of 3.5 Litres per hour. Nutrient Management N-P-K at the rate of 60-85-75 kg per acre before sowing and N @ 50 kg per acre after 30 days. Spray Ethrel @ 2.5 ml per 10 litres of water after 15 days of sowing and once in a week after that. This will help increase in yield. Weed Management Removal of weeds and earthing up of soil to the plants to be carried out before application of fertilisers. Application of Fluchloralin @ 2.5 kg per acre or Bensulide @ 15 Kg per acre to the filed 15 days before sowing helps control weeds. Pests and Management 

Fruit

fly (Bacterocera

cucurbitae)

Lays eggs on the flowers, fruits and eats the contents of the fruits when the eggs got hatched and become maggots.

Causing

rotting

of

the

fruits.

To Control this, cover the fruits with polythene bag wrapped around. Remove the affected fruits by hand and destroy them by dipping in hot water with disinfectant solution. Do not throw the affected fruits on the earth. Using Light Trap with poison baits like hanging a coconut shell applied inside with Molasses or Gur paste with Furadan granules, will attract the flies and kill them. 

Red

Pumpkin

Beetle (Aulacophora

foveicollis)

Eats Leaves and as a result the leaves become curly, dry and fall down. Their Grubs inside the soil eat the stem

and

root

portion,

resulting

in

the

plant

To control this, granules of Furadon 3 G can be mixed with the soil at the base around the plant.

dying.



Aphids (Aphis

gossypii)

Suck sap from the leaves. Leaves become curly and fall down. Aphids are also carrier of Mosaic virus. To control this, spraying the plant with tobacco solution or Malathion(0.1%) can be carried out. 

Root

knot

nematode (Meloidogyne

incognita

acrita)

Attacks roots of the plant by forming knots on the root portion resulting in damage of plants and productivity. Crop rotation, deep ploughing and exposure of the field to sun, applying insecticides before sowing can control this disease. Diseases and Management 

Yellow

wine

Mosaic

Virus

Causes heavy damage to the crops due to curling and wilting of leaves, retarded growth, lower productivity. In order to reduce loss due to this, Seeds can be selected from disease free plants, virus resistant variety seeds also can be used. As a precaution, the seeds can be soaked in hot water having a temperature 55°C temperature. 

Powdery

Mildew (Sphaerotheca

fuliginea)

Appearance of grey or white patches on the leaves and spreads rapidly throughout the plants having a powdery

appearance

of

the

plants,

resulting

in

defoliation

of

the

plant.

Spraying of Karathane (0.5%) or Carbendazim (0.1%) can control this disease. 

Downy

mildew (Pseudoperonospora

cubensis)

This disease appears during rainy seasons with high humidity. The leaves get the appearance of as such they have been soaked in water at the bottom and angular portions. This will cause damage of entire plant quickly. Immediate removal of affected leaves and spraying of Dithane M-45 (0.2%) over the leaves and lower side can control this disease.

HARVESTING AND YIELD

The fruits become ready for harvest from 55-60 days of sowing. Young immature fruits of 300– 400 g are picked 12–15 days after fruit set. Fruits can be picked every 3 days throughout the fruiting season, by hand or with a knife. Individual plants may produce 15–20 fruits; yield declines after 8–13 weeks of harvesting. For sponge production, the fruits are left for two months on the vines till turning brown. For seed production, the seeds are shaken out of the completely dry fruits. The yield is about 70-100q/hac POST HARVESTING Ridge gourd should be used immediately after harvest. So the earlier the marketing, the better for the cultivator.

RECAP CLIMATE

SOIL

PROPAGATED



Grows better in warm hot climate.



Germination is optimum when temperature is 25-35 C



Sandy loam soil, rich in organic matter



pH range 6.5-7.5



Proper drainage is highly beneficial.



Propagated through seeds

PLANTING



June-july for kharif crop

SEASON



February-march for summer crop

SEED RATE



12kg per Acre

PLANTING



150 X 200cm

MANURES AND



N-P-K at the rate of 110-85-75 kg per acre

FERTILIZER



FYM 125kg

MATURITY



Length of gourd will be long

INDICES



Dark green in colour

YIELD



70-100q/hac

DISTANCE