• There are many edible vegetables belongs to Cucurbitaceous

family, many of which are commercially grown in the field for

domestic and international market.

• Most Cucurbitaceous vegetables are propagated by seeds

while few are propagated by cutting, grafting etc.

• Some Cucurbits seeds sown in situ as they cannot tolerate

transplanting shocks while some do tolerate transplanting

shocks at particular stages of growth

Introduction

Cucurbits are generally propagated on a large scale by seeds.

the seeds are either sown in nursery or directly in field

depending on the capacity of the species to tolerate

transplantation shocks.

The process of propagation can be divided into 3 parts namely,

1.Pre-sowing seed treatment

2.Sowing

3.Post sowing Care.

Propagation:

• Cucurbits Seeds are effectively treated before planting for

better germination and improved yield.

• Germination of Bitter gourd seeds enhances by soaking in

low concentrations (100-200 ppm) of IAA, GA3 and CCC.

• Treatment of spine gourd tubers with thiourea 1.0% for 12 hrs

is recorded best for breaking the dormancy of tubers.

• Treating seeds with Azotobacter and Phosphate Soluble

Bacterial (PSB) formulations is recommended for almost all

cucurbitaceous crops.

Pre sowing seed treatment :

• Cucurbits is a tropical group of vegetables grown in summer

and rainy season. Cucurbits are grown throughout the year in

mild climate of south and central India. In south and central

India. Melons require dry and warm climates at the time of fruit

development and It is grown in summer seasons.

• In rainy season, cucurbits crops are sown at the beginning of

monsoon that is in June – July months. In south and central

India, sowing can also be done in October -November and the

crop matures in March –April months.

Sowing and Sowing Time

• Most of the cucurbits are propagated by seeds by in situ

sowing. In some cases where early crop is desired, seeds can

be sown in polythene bags and germinated under cover to

protect from low temperature.

• Cucurbits seedlings are transplanted from bags at two leaf

stage into the main field. Normally, the cucurbits do not stand

transplantation shocks beyond this stage due to injury to tap

root. Nursery sowing of seeds in poly bags can save nearly 50-

60 percent of seed material as compared to in situ sowing.

Method of Sowing

• Watermelon : 3.5-5.0 kg/ha

• Round melon : 3.5-5.0 kg/ha

• Musk melon : 2.5-3.5 kg/ha

• Cucumber : 2.5-3.5 kg/ha

• Bottle gourd : 3.0-6.0 kg/ha

• Bitter gourd : 4.5-6.0 kg/ha

• Ridge gourd : 3.5-5.0 kg/ha

• Sponge gourd : 2.5-3.5 kg/ha

• Snake gourd : 5.0-6.0 kg/ha

• Ash gourd : 5.0-7.0 kg/ha

• Red Pumpkin : 6.0-8.0 kg/ha

• Bush squash : 8.0-10.0 kg/ha

Seed Rate of Cucurbits

• In cucurbits, number of fruits per plant increases with

increasing plant density while fruit number per plant

decreases with increase in plant density .

• A spacing 60cm between plants has been recommended

in muskmelon. Usually, the sowing is done on top or

sides of furrows and vines are allowed to trail on the

organic mulched ground, especially in summer season.

• In hilly areas, where sowing is done are spaced at a

distance of 0.5 to 0.75 m between two plants.

Sowing: Spacing

Recommended spacing for in situ planting of cucurbits are:

• L. acutangulla cv. Pusa Nasdar : 2 x 4 m

• Pointed Gourd cv. Fp-4 : 1.5 x 1.5 m

• Bottle Gourd cv. Aroka Bahar : 3 x 0.45 m

• Red Pumpkin cv. Mariucha : 3 x 2 m

Sowing: Spacing

• In the in situ sowing, bed orientation should be designed

in such a way that irrigation water should not spoil the

developing fruits in future.

• In places of heavy ill drained soils, the seeds are sown in

the middle of raised bed to facilitate drainage. Such

system is also practiced in areas receiving heavy rainfall.

• Pits are dug out, filled with manures and growth media

and then seeds are sown in such pits especially in

monsoon.

Sowing: In situ Nursery

• Emergence of seeds of cucurbits varies with the species. It

ranges from 2-3 days in cucumber to around 1 week in gourds.

• The sown area must be watered regularly using a rose can

depending on the season and soil conditions.

• Other activities such as weeding, plant protection should be

undertaken as per requirement. The plants must be protected

from diseases such as downy mildew and powdery mildew and

insects pests such as fruit flies.

Post Sowing Care