Everything you need to know about pumpkin cultivation, production and growth. Learn about:- 1. Introduction to Pumpkin 2. Origin and Distribution of Pumpkin 3. Composition and Uses 4. Climate and Soil Required for Cultivation 5. Sowing Time of Seeds 6. Protected Nursery Production of Seeds 7. Manurial Requirement for Cultivation 8. Irrigation Requirement for Cultivation 9. Intercultural Operations and Few Others.
Contents:
- Introduction to Pumpkin
- Origin and Distribution of Pumpkin
- Composition and Uses of Pumpkin
- Climate and Soil Required for Cultivating Pumpkin
- Sowing Time of Pumpkin Seeds
- Protected Nursery Production of Pumpkin Seeds
- Manurial Requirement for Pumpkin Cultivation
- Irrigation Requirement for Pumpkin Cultivation
- Intercultural Operations of Pumpkin
- Harvesting and Yielding of Pumpkin
- Cultivated Varieties of Pumpkin
1. Introduction
to Pumpkin:
There are five cultivated species of pumpkins, which include pumpkin (Cucurbita moschata Duch.), summer squash (Cucurbita pepo L.), winter squash pumpkins (Cucurbita maxima Duch.), winter squash pumpkins (Cucurbita mixta Pang; Synonym Cucurbita angyrosperma) and Malabar gourd or Fig-leaf gourd (Cucurbita ficifolia Boucha). Among these five cultivated species, Cucurbita moschata (pumpkin), Cucurbita pepo (summes squash) and Cucurbita maxima (winter squash) are of great economic importance.
Commonly ‘pumpkins’ are defined as the edible fruits of all five Cucurbita species that are harvested at mature stage and usually not used as baked vegetable. The difference between ‘pumpkins’ and ‘squashes’ is that the pumpkins have larger and rounded fruits than squashes. The pumpkin fruits are usually harvested at maturity, and can be stored for a few months.
The fruit weight ranges from less than 0.5 kg to more than 50 kg. It has the ability to grow to such a large size that makes it the largest fruit in the plant kingdom. Summer squashes or vegetable marrows have smaller fruits than pumpkins and generally sausage shaped. They are usually harvested at a very small and immature stage, thus, have very short storage life.
Among cucurbits, pumpkin is one of the most popular warm season vegetables commercially grown all over India. Pumpkin is also known as Kashiphal or Sitaphal or Lal Kaddu. It is extensively grown in different parts of the country for its immature and mature fruits. It is of great significance due to its high carotene content and good keeping quality.
Mature ripe fruits have pale reddish brown skin with ribbed or smooth surface. Its immature fruits of greenish or greenish yellow skin are also harvested and marketed. Fruit shapes are mostly oblong, round, sometimes oval, and weight varies from 2 to 20 kg. The flesh colour ranges from pale yellow to crimson and flesh thickness from 3.5 to 5.5 cm.
2. Origin and Distribution of Pumpkin:
The pumpkins are native of Central or South America. Archaeological evidences suggest that Cucurbita moschata was widely distributed in America, Mexico, and Peru, being the primary centers of origin. The cultivated species were staple food in diet of the American Indians long before 1942. The pumpkins appeared in Europe in mid-16th century. It was introduced to India from South America by foreign navigators and emissaries.
The genus Cucurbita comprised closed group of about 27 species, both wild and cultivated mostly concentrated in the tropical regions of Central and South America. In India, field pumpkins (Cucurbita moschata) are grown widely than other cultivated species of Cucurbita since it can tolerate hotter field conditions than other species.
The name pumpkin originated from the Greek word ‘pepon’ used for large melon. The French turned the name ‘pepon’ into ‘pompon’ and the English changed that into ‘pumpion’ means eaten cooked by the sun or when ripe, and the present name pumpkin was chosen by the Native American and colonists as it had been one of the major ingredients of their staple diet.
3. Composition and Uses of Pumpkin:
Composition:
Pumpkin fruits are rich in vitamins, particularly in precursor of vitamin A, and minerals. The edible portion of pumpkin constitutes around 80%. Pumpkin seeds contain 40.27% protein, 34.59% crude oil, 13.79% crude fiber, and 4.45% ash. Oleic, linoleic and palmitic acids are the predominant fatty acids in seed oil. Glutamic acid, arginine, glycine and aspartic acid are the most abundant amino acids. However, the seeds are usually deficient in methionine and cystine. Nutritional composition of fresh fruit is given in Table 15.1.
Uses:
Pumpkins are used as fresh vegetable, processed food, and livestock feed. Both, immature and mature fruits are consumed raw, cooked, stewed, boiled, or baked, and also used for the preparation of jam, puree and candy. The ripe fruits are used as substitute for tomato sauce and ketchup but this practice in general is undesirable.
Pumpkin because of its curative and medicinal properties has been known since ancient time, and thus, associated with man for at least 10 thousand years. The fruit is used in the cure of stomach catarrh, hyperacidity, and stomach ulcers, especially peptic ulcers. Raw pulp of pumpkin has purgative effect, and it is recommended in case of obesity and deterioration in the function of gall bladder.
Pumpkin juice as well as the raw and boiled fruits has diuretic and cholagogue properties. Its juice or decoction with honey is also advisable for people suffering from insomnia or from uneasy and troubled sleep.
4. Climate and Soil Required for Cultivating Pumpkin:
Pumpkin is a warm season crop, preferring 25-30°C temperature in daytime and 18-20°C during night. In general, pumpkins require a temperature range of 18-27°C for growth, the ideal being 18.0-20.5°C. It takes nearly 3 to 4 months from seedling emergence to fruit maturity, thus, a prolonged warm weather is essential to obtain its quality fruits.
It cannot tolerate frost, thus, the plants are usually killed by one hour or more of frost (temperature below 0°C), and temperature below 10°C can cause chilling injury to green mature fruits and result in poor color and more fruit decaying. Temperature above 40°C has adverse effect on flowering and fruiting.
The best soil temperature for seed germination is 23.7-26.5°C. Therefore, it should be sown when soil temperature is high enough for good seed germination since soil temperature below 13.3°C suppresses germination. Similarly, plant growth is terminated when the soil temperature reaches above 37°C.
Pumpkins grow best in sunny areas, where they could receive at least 6 hour of direct sunlight every day. Pumpkin is relatively deep-rooted (1.2-1.8 m deep) crop, thus, can tolerate dry conditions fairly well, however, extended dry period can result in poor fruit set and fruit development.
Pumpkins grow well and produce good quality fruits in light textured organic matter rich soil with a pH range of 6.5-7.5. Well-drained loam or sandy loam soil is preferred more for pumpkin production, but heavier soil can also be used as long as drainage is adequate. Pumpkins are moderately tolerant to soil acidity (up to a soil pH 5.5). Adequate drainage facility should be provided for rainy season crop.
5. Sowing Time of Pumpkin Seeds:
Pumpkins are grown both in spring-summer and rainy season. For spring-summer crop, the seeds are sown in January-March when danger of frost is over, and for rainy season crop, in June-July. In South and Central India, where winter is mild, the crop is grown almost throughout the year. In the western Gangetic plains, early sowing is done in riverbeds from November to February.
Seed Rate, Spacing, and Population Density:
Pumpkin seeds are sown at 3.0-3.5 m row-to-row and 1.0 m plant-to-plant spacing. This way around 3000 plants can be accommodated in one hectare area with a seed rate of 6-8 kg, however, Nath et al. (1987) proposed a spacing of 2.5-3.0 m between rows and 1.0-1.5 m between hills, and recommended a seed rate of 6-8 kg/ha.
In Kerala and Tamil Nadu, the recommended seed rate is 1.0-1.5 kg/ha, while in Punjab it is 3-5 kg/ha. In Kerala, pumpkin is sown at spacing of 4.5 × 2.0 m, in Tamil Nadu at 2.5 × 2.0 m and in West Bengal at 3.4 × 1.8-2.5 m.
Population density in general varies from 3000 to 5000 plants per hectare, depending on cultivar and method of sowing. Damarany and Farag (1994) suggested that the fruit size, flesh thickness, and colour intensity, dry matter content, number of seeds per fruit and 100 seed weight decreased with increasing plant density, while the number and yield of marketable fruits per hectare increased with increasing plant population.
i. Shallow Pit or Flatbed Method:
Shallow pits of 60x60x45 cm are dug, and they left open for 3 weeks before sowing for partial solarization. Pits are filled with a mixture of soil and compost 4-5 kg per pit. A part of fertilizers, like Urea (50-60 g), Single super phosphate (100-120 g), Muriate of potash (80 g), and Furadon (1.5 g) are filled in each pit before sowing seeds. After filling the pits, 3-4 seeds per hill are sown at a depth of 2-3 cm.
ii. Deep Pit or Trench Method:
Deep pit method is commonly practiced for raising pumpkins in riversides. In this method, the circular pits of 60-75 cm diameter and 1.5 m depth are dug at recommended distance. In trench method, trenches of about 60 cm width are dug at a distance of about 2.0-2.5 m up to a depth of clay layer.
Trenches are filled with a mixture of well rotten farmyard manure (10-15 t/ha), soil and NPK 25, 40 and 40 kg/ha. Pre-germinated seeds are sown in trenches at a distance of 45-60 cm. Generally, per hill, 3 to 4 seeds are sown at 2-3 cm depth.
In this method, channels of 40-50 cm width are prepared manually or mechanically maintaining 3-5 m spacing between two channels, depending upon cultivars. Seeds are sown on both the edges of channel at about 1.0 m spacing. Per hill, two to three seeds are sown. Generally, sprouted seeds are sown in spring-summer and adequate moisture is maintained at the time of emergence. The vines are allowed to spread in between space of channels.
Pumpkin seeds soaked in water overnight before sowing helps in softening the outer shell that makes the sprouting easier and faster. Singh and Singh (1973) obtained higher seed germination in pumpkin by soaking of seeds in ammonium chloride or urea at 400 ppm for 6 hour. Seeds germinate in 7-8 days, and after germination, per pit, only two healthy seedlings are allowed to grow.
6. Protected Nursery Production of Pumpkin Seeds:
In northern plains, the pumpkin seeds for spring-summer crop are sown in last week of February or first week of March when night temperature is between 13° and 15°C. Pumpkins are susceptible to low temperature (below 10°C), thus, the low temperature during winter is a limiting factor for early production of crop, however, its seedlings can be raised in polyethylene bags during last week of December or first week of January under protected conditions.
As soon as the seedlings get ready for transplanting and outside temperature becomes favouable, the seedlings are transplanted in main field. In this way, the crop can be advanced by about 30-40 days than the directly sown crop in open field.
For raising seedlings, 150-200 gauge polyethylene bags with about 1.0 kg soil capacity are preferred. About 5000 bags of 15 × 10 cm size, which will be enough for raising crops in area of one hectare, can be adjusted in poly-house or tunnels of 9.0 × 3.5 m area. These bags are filled with a mixture of soil, well-decomposed organic manures and sand in equal proportion.
About 200 g Furadon per 100 kg soil mixture is also added to avoid infestation of pests in early growth stages. Before filling with mixture, the bags are provided with 4-5 holes on upper side for providing aeration to the developing roots and 2-3 holes in bottom to drain out excess water, which is essentially required for the normal development of seedlings. Pre-soaked seeds are treated with Captaf or Thiram (0.02%) to protect them from fungal infection.
After sowing seeds, the bags are placed inside poly-house or under plastic low tunnels. In each bag, 2-3 healthy seeds are sown during last week of December or first week of January. The temperature inside poly- house or tunnels increased by 5-10°C than the outside, therefore, it provides congenial environment for quick germination of seeds and seedling growth.
These seedlings are transplanted at 3 to 4 true leaf stage during last week of January or later, when danger of frost or chilling injury is over. Before transplanting, the seedlings can be put in open atmosphere for 5-7 days for their better establishment in field. A light irrigation should be given soon after transplanting. In this way, pumpkins can be harvested one month earlier than the crop sown directly in open field.
7. Manurial Requirement for Pumpkin Cultivation:
Pumpkin being nutrients exhaustive crop requires nitrogen 107 kg, phosphorus 110 kg and potash 40 kg/ha to obtain higher yield in spring-summer. Throughout India, nitrogen requirement varies widely due to heterogeneity in soils. At Coimbatore, Rajendran et al. (1983) obtained highest pumpkin yield with nitrogen 74.2 kg/ha, while a recommended dose of nitrogen in Punjab is 80 kg/ha.
Phosphorus requirement varies from 50 to 100 kg/ha and potash from 40 to 80 kg/ha. Due to nitrogen deficiency, the growth of aerial parts is inhibited, while root growth increases. Phosphorus deficiency causes leaf necrosis and accumulation of citrulline and arginine in leaves and roots.
Maximum fruit yield of fertigated pumpkin can be expected when petiole-sap NO3-N concentration during early fruiting is 900-1500 mg/ml and during fruit enlargement and full maturity 500-700 mg/ml. In another investigation, Swaider (1984) found that the critical NO3-N concentrations in pumpkin were estimated at 18950 and 3500 ppm in mature petioles, and 14700 and 3050 ppm in recently mature petioles at early vegetative and full flower growth stages, respectively.
Further, Swaider et al. (1994) reported that sprinkler application of 112 kg N + 112 kg K2O/ha, split into 5 fertigations during the growing season (supplemented with a pre-plant dry-blend application of 28 kg N + 56 kg K/ha), produced high and early marketable fruit yield without compromising early fruit maturity.
Application of biofertilizers such as Azospirillum and phosphobacteria along with inorganic fertilizers has been found to enhance fruit yield in pumpkin. Beaulah and Rajadurai (2000) obtained higher fruit yield in pumpkin by soil application of 20 g urea + 12 g each single super phosphate and muriate of potash + 10 g Azospirillum per pit.
Half dose of nitrogen along with full dose of phosphorus and potash are applied as basal, and the remaining half of nitrogen is applied in two splits at the time of vine growth and at full blooming. Besides, foliar spray of boron @ 4 mg/l, calcium @ 20 mg/l and molybdenum @ 3 mg/l is advantageous in increasing number of female flowers and yield.
In general, application of higher doses of nitrogen under high temperature conditions causes excessive growth and promotes maleness so excessive vine growth should be restricted in reasonable limits by adjusting fertilizer dose, reducing frequency of irrigation or by pruning manually to promote ratio of female flowers.
8. Irrigation Requirement for Pumpkin Cultivation:
Pumpkins being having moderately deep to deep root system possess good drought tolerance so can be grown with limited amount of water. Nevertheless, because of high moisture requirements of crop, soils with high water holding capacity and well supplied with moisture are suited for higher yield. In general, pumpkins crop utilize about 500-900 mm water during entire growth period.
In early growth stage, sufficient moisture in the root zone should be maintained to promote rapid taproot development so light and frequent irrigation is very essential in spring- summer crop. At flowering and fruiting irrigation is given at an interval of 2-3 days and later at 5-7 days, while in rainy season irrigation may not be essential at all if rainfall is well distributed from June to September.
Vine growth, flowering, and fruit development are the critical stages for irrigation requirement since water stress during these phases may reduce plant growth, flowering and fruiting. Moisture deficiency during flowering and fruiting may also cause wilting and drying of apical portion of the developing fruits.
The pumpkin leaves are best indicator of water stress. If leaves are green and look healthy, plant is getting sufficient water, conversely, if the leaves look wilted, plants need more water. In general, soil moisture should always be maintained 10-15% higher to permanent wilting point. Frequent irrigation should be avoided, especially in heavy soils, as it promotes excessive vegetative growth.
Frequent wetting of stems, leaves, and fruits may promote diseases and rotting of fruits so as for as possible the bed or inter-row spaces should be kept dry so that developing fruits are not damaged. Application of water should be restricted to the base of plant, especially when the flowering, fruit set, and fruit development are in progress. Excessive irrigation at maturity is not at all desirable as it also affects the storability adversely so irrigation frequency is reduced near fruit maturity stage and stopped during last stages of harvest.
In riverbed system pot, watering is practiced in early growth stage, and it is stopped after the roots start touching the subterranean moisture region. Furrow or drip irrigation is the most effective method for irrigating the crop. Drip irrigation can be used efficiently to reduce foliage wetting and for increasing water use efficiency. Drip irrigation coupled with plastic mulching is advantageous since this method reduces weed control cost, water use, and lowers the risk of disease. 9
9. Intercultural Operations of Pumpkin:
i. Hoeing and Weeding:
Although pumpkins are deep rooted but most of the feeding roots remain confined near the soil surface, thus, deep inter-cultivation is very harmful, destroying many of the fine roots near the soil surface. Weeds pose problem during early growth period, therefore, shallow hand hoeing in early crop stages is usually recommended in pumpkin crop to avoid damage to the roots. First manual weeding should be done about 20-25 days and second at 40-45 days after sowing.
Mulches are also found suitable for controlling weeds. Wilson (1979) achieved total weed control by pre-emergence application of Alachlor @ 2.0 kg/ha in pumpkin field. Pre-emergence application of pendimethalin or Basalin (1 kg/ha) is also beneficial in controlling weeds, however, these herbicides control weeds only for about 30-35 days.
Later on, if weeds pose problems, one manual weeding may be done to ward off the weeds but post-emergence application of Diquat or Paraquat at 1.25-2.0 kg/ha twice almost completely control the broad leaved weeds.
Mulching of hills after sowing seeds is advisable to reduce moisture loss and to prevent formation of hard crust. In pumpkin, use of mulches, chiefly plastic one, has been found beneficial in increasing fruit yield at a temperature below 22°C. Waterer (2000) reported that plastic mulch improved plant establishment and fruit yield in pumpkin, and clear mulch was found more effective than the black plastic mulch.
Use of reflective films as mulch also increases yield, reduces aphid population, and delays infection of mosaic virus. Brown et al. (1996) reported that aluminium painted plastic mulch, white plastic mulch and black plastic mulch increased total yield of pumpkin than plants on bare soil. Aluminium painted plastic mulch also delayed the onset of mosaic disease infestation on plants by 3 weeks.
Mansour et al. (2000) also reported that aluminium foil as surface mulch or as board reduces aphid transmitted mosaic virus disease and its severity in early stages of growth. It also increased total and marketable fruit yield. Thatch mulch in between two rows of pumpkin may be used during summer to protect the fruits from heat injury.
iii. Use of Plant Growth Regulators:
Growth regulators are used for altering the sequence of flowering and the sex ratio. Endogenous levels of auxins, gibberellins, ethylene, and abscisic acid at the time of ontogeny determine the sex ratio and sequence of flowering. Exogenous application of plant regulators once or twice at 2-4 leaf stage can alter the sex ratio and flowering sequence to desired direction. Verma et al. (1986) noticed that application of ethrel at 100 ppm at 2-leaf stage increased fruiting and yield of pumpkin by reducing sex ratio, resulting in more fruits per plant.
Arora and Pratap (1988) reported that ethephon at 250 ppm produced the highest number of secondary branches, the earliest occurrence and higher number of female flowers, the lowest sex ratio (male : female) and the highest fruit yield. Foliar spray of GA3 at 10-25 ppm is known to improve the vine growth and seed content in pumpkin. GA3 tended to increase the sex ratio (staminate : pistillate), whereas, NAA and ethrel narrow down the sex ratio in pumpkin.
10. Harvesting and Yielding of Pumpkin:
Pumpkin crop can be harvested 75-150 days after seed sowing, depending on variety, growing season, and purpose of use. Under optimum growing conditions, the approximate time from planting to market maturity for an early variety is about 90 days and for late variety 125 days. Nerson (1995) suggests that the pumpkins should be harvested 3-4 weeks after anthesis to ensure good quality fruits and longer shelf life.
Fruits when harvested at proper stage retained and in some respect improved their quality in first 2-3 months at room temperature under ventilated and shaded storage. Chen et al. (1997) reported that the fruit weight and volume increased rapidly for 10-15 days after flowering with maximum rate of dry matter accumulation at 30 days after flowering.
Seed development is most rapid at 20 days after flowering. Pumpkin fruits can be harvested at tender green stage as well as mature (ripe) stage, however, for storage and seed extraction purpose the fruits should be picked up only after attaining full maturity.
At full maturity, the green skin colour is turned completely reddish brown and the fruit stalk is dried and separated easily from the vine. Fruits picked at green and immature stage will not develop proper colour. Pumpkins are cut carefully from the vines leaving a 7-10 cm stem attached with fruit, and they should be handled carefully to avoid cuts and bruises, which may be the major entry points for fungi and bacteria, causing rotting.
For longer storage, fruit should be well matured, free from injury or decay, and handled carefully. Fruits do not mature at once on the plant but develops colour continuously over a period of 3- 4 weeks, thus, fruits are systematically placed on a layer of dry straw or hay in a cool and dry place but are not advised to store on bare ground after harvest.
Stacking on top of one another must be avoided for better storage, and enough air circulation should be provided to avoid fruit rotting. Pumpkins should also be stored in well-ventilated stores away from ethylene releasing sources like tomatoes, apples guava, peaches etc. and proper ventilation can be provided by placing the fruits on pallets or slatted benches, which allow sufficient air movement around the fruits.
Pumpkins may be stored for 5 to 8 months at 10-12°C temperature and 50-70% relative humidity since fruits at higher temperature (18-20°C) lose their greenness, become undesirably yellow, and acquire a stringiness of flesh in 5 weeks, however, very high humidity promotes decaying and lower humidity causes excessive weight loss and texture deterioration.
During storage, starch converts to sugars rapidly and total carbohydrates decline. The recommended transit temperature for pumpkin fruit is 4.4° to 12°C coupled with 85-95% relative humidity. Pre- storage temperature manipulation is an effective measure to reduce chilling injury during storage.
No chilling injury symptoms are developed in fruits stored at 12°C for the whole storage duration. Lee and Yang (1999a) reported that chilling injury in fruits stored at 4°C for 20 days could be reduced by a pre-storage treatment where fruits were dipped in hot water at 40°C for 30 minute.
Chilling injury can be further reduced by fruits pre-conditioned at 15°C for 2 days. Lee and Yang (1999b) further reported that controlled atmosphere (CA) with 1% CO2 + 1% O2 or 3% CO2 + 1% O2 at 2° or 10°C was very effective for reducing chilling injury up to 15 and 20 days, respectively.
The fruit yield varies from 20 to 35 t/ha, depending upon variety, soil fertility, growing season and cultural practices adopted during cultivation of crop, however, the average yield ranges from 20 to 30 t/ha in crop duration of 120-160 days. Sheshadri (1986) and Sen (1992) have reported a fruit yield of 20-25 t/ha, whereas, Katyal (1977) reported that fruit yield varies from 15 to 25 tonne per hectare.
11. Cultivated Varieties of Pumpkin:
i. Arka Suryamukhi:
It is a variety of C. maxima evolved at Indian Institute of Horticultural Research, Bangalore. Fruits are small (1.0-1.5 kg) round with flat ends and deep orange with prominent streaks on the rind. Flesh is firm and orange-yellow in colour. Keeping and transport qualities are good. It is also resistant to fruit fly. Its yield potential is 36 t/ha in 100 days crop duration.
It is developed at Indian Institute of Horticultural Research, Bangalore. Fruits are medium in size (2.0-3.0 kg), round with compressed blossom end. Rind colour is light brown with creamy- patches at maturity. Flesh is thick, firm with pleasant aroma, sweet (TSS 8-10%), bright orange, and rich in carotene (3331 IU/100 g of flesh). Keeping quality is good. Average fruit yield is about 32 t/ha. Fruits mature in 120 days.
A local selection of the line ‘CM 10’ is evolved at Indian Agricultural Research Institute, New Delhi. It is a vigorously growing variety having dark-green leaves with white-spots near veins. Fruits are spherical, medium sized (5 kg) and light brown with thick golden-yellow flesh. Fruits mature in 120 days with yield potential of about 25 t/ha. It is suitable for growing in the spring- summer season in north Indian plains.
A semi-dwarf to dwarf type variety evolved at Indian Agricultural Research Institute, New Delhi is highly suitable for cultivation in spring-summer season in northern India. The fruits are small (2.0 kg), round and flat with yellow flesh. Its yield potential is about 30 t/ha.
A hybrid with medium vine length developed at Indian Agricultural Research Institute, New Delhi is suitable for cultivation in Punjab, Delhi, Kerala, and other parts of the northern India. Its fruits, which become mature for harvesting in about 100 days, are rounded flat and medium in size. The flesh is deep golden-yellow in colour. Its yield potential is about 52 t/ha.
A late maturing variety developed at Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Coimbatore bears large size (7-8 kg) globular fruits with a characteristic broad proximal end. The distal end is slightly tapering to form a tip. Immature fruits with a flesh thickness of 4-5 cm are dark-green in colour that turns brownish-orange at maturity. It yields 30 t/ha with an average of 7-9 fruits per plant in crop duration of 150-160 days.
An early maturing variety (135 days) evolved at Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Coimbatore bears 10-12 small (1.5-2.0 kg), and flat fruits that are green in colour. Its average yield varies from 20 to 25 t/ha.
A vigorous growing variety evolved at Kerala Agricultural University, Vellanikkara bears flat round fruits of medium size (5-6 kg) with shallow grooves. Leaves are characterized by white spots on upper surface of lamina. Fruits are green at immature stage and turn tan at maturity. Flesh thickness of fruit is around 4 cm. It matures in 130 days and yields 34 t/ha.
A variety developed at Narendra Dev University of Agriculture and Technology, Faizabad is suitable for cultivation during both the seasons. Flesh colour is yellowish-white with flesh thickness of about 5 cm. Average fruit weight is 7-8 kg.