Today we are talking about vegetable cultivation. It is an essential vegetable among all pumpkin vegetables. The name of this vegetable is gourd. A gourd is considered to be the main among all pumpkin category vegetables. It is available every season. Moreover, the demand for this vegetable is always at a very high level in the market.
By cultivating bottle gourd, farmers can earn more profit at less cost. Moreover, it is a very beneficial vegetable and can eliminate many diseases. Let us tell you that many types of proteins, vitamins and salts are found in bottle gourd. It contains vitamin A, C, calcium, iron, magnesium, potassium and zinc. These nutrients fulfil many body needs and keep the body safe from diseases. Apart from this, the gourd has many medicinal properties which act effectively against some serious diseases. This is the perfect destination if you are looking for an article for a complete farming guide.
Climate & Temperature
Gourd cultivation does not require any particular kind of climate, but it gives a good yield in temperate regions. It is primarily grown in the rainy and summer seasons in India, but the frost falling in the winter harms its yield. Therefore, in the cultivation of gourd, the temperature of around 30 degrees is perfect. The average temperature is required for the germination of seeds and up to 35 degrees for the plants to grow.
Soil Suitability
Gourd cultivation requires loamy soil with high fertility, but it can be grown in any place with good drainage. Moreover, Gourd cultivation requires a 6.0 to 7.0 pH level.
Plant Preparation
The first step in plant preparation is making suitable tilt land. So, we use the powerful John Deere 5205 or any other tractor. Also, if you want, you can cultivate it by directly planting the seeds in the field. For this, you have to plant the seeds in the prepared drains. Water should be applied to the drains prepared before planting the seeds. Then the seeds should be planted in it.
For a faster and higher yield of bottle gourd, prepare its plants in the nursery and then plant it directly in the field. Plants should be prepared about 20 to 25 days before sowing. Apart from this, to make the seeds disease free, they should be treated with cow urine or Bavistin before sowing them. This reduces the risk of diseases in the seeds, and the yield is also higher.
Weed Control
Gourd plants are given more fertiliser, so their plants require more attention to control weeds. Because due to the presence of weeds, its plants do not get the amount of fertiliser well. Natural and chemical methods can do weed control in gourd plants. Weeding and hoeing plants should be done from time to time to control weeds naturally.
To control weeds by chemical means, weedicides should be sprayed before and immediately after planting the seeds. Moreover, we can use the Eicher 380 or a brilliant tractor for proper weed control.
Irrigation Requirements
Gourd plants do not require much irrigation. If planted as a seed, it must retain moisture until it germinates. If transplanting is done in the form of seedlings, then water should be applied to the field immediately after transplanting. Plants should be irrigated when needed during the rainy season. It should be rinsed once a week after the rainy season.
They require more irrigation during the hot summer season, so they should be given water at intervals of 3 to 4 days. So that the moisture remains in the plants, and when the fruits start forming on the plants, light irrigation should be given so that the fruits can be obtained in more quantity.
Harvesting
The gourd fruits are ready for harvesting after about 50 days of sowing the seeds. Therefore, harvest when the fruits are the right size and look good. While plucking the fruit, cut it with a sharp knife at some distance from its stalk. This keeps the fruit fresh for some time. Immediately after harvesting the fruits, they should be packed and sent to be sold in the market. Harvesting fruits can be done in the evening or the morning.
Talking about the yield in the gourd crop, then its crop will be ready in two to three months. Its cultivation gives a good yield with less effort and less expenditure. It provides a yield of about 350 to 500 quintals in one hectare.
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