In this article, we are going to see the Pumkin Farming Guide and Cultivation Methods in India.
India is the second largest producer of pumpkin. It is used for food and is also used for making sweets. It is a good source of vitamin A and potassium. Pumpkin helps in improving eyesight, lowers blood pressure and has antioxidant properties. Its leaves, young stems, fruit juices and flowers have medicinal properties.
Soil Selection
Pumpkin cultivation requires loamy soil with good drainage system and rich in organic matter. Soil pH 6-7 is optimal for pumpkin cultivation.
Improved varieties of pumpkin
If seen, there are many improved varieties of pumpkin, but there are some varieties, which are most popular among farmers, which include Arka Chandan, Arka Suryamukhi, Pumpkin-1, Narendra Amrit, Ambli, Pusa Vishwas, Pusa Vikas, Kalyanpur, CS 14, CO 1 and 2 etc. Apart from this, exotic variety of Golden Hubbard, Golden Custard, Yellow State Neck, Pattipan, Green Hubbard is very popular among farmers.
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How to prepare for pumkin harvest
Well prepared land is required for pumpkin cultivation. To plow the soil well, plowing by a local tractor is required. February-March and June-July and early August are suitable for sowing seeds.
Sow two seeds per support and use a spacing of 60 cm. For hybrid varieties sow seeds on both sides of the bed and 45 cm. Keep the gap and sow the seed in 1 inch deep soil. Keep the method of sowing straight. The rate of 1 kg seed is sufficient for one acre of land.
Manures and fertilizers
For pumpkin crop, you should use organic manure, well-rotted cow dung at the rate of 8-10 tonnes per acre before preparing the beds.
Weed control
Frequent weeding or earthing up operations are required to control weeds. Weeding is done with a spade or by hand. The first weeding is done 2-3 weeks after sowing the seeds. A total of 3-4 weedings are required to make the field weed free.
Irrigation
Proper irrigation is required at appropriate intervals of time. Irrigation is required immediately after sowing the seeds. Depending on the season, subsequent irrigation is required at an interval of 6-7 days. A total of 8-10 irrigations are required.
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Pumpkin Plant Protection
After the emergence of the crop, it is important to protect the crop from pests and get control.
Aphids and Thrips: These suck the sap from the leaves resulting in yellowing and dropping of leaves. Thrips result in curling of leaves, cup-shaped leaves or curling upwards. If infestation is observed in the field, for its control, take spray of Thiamethoxam@5gm/15Ltr of water.
Pumpkin flies: These cause brown spots on the fruit and white worms on the fruit. To cure the crop from fruit fly pest, it is recommended to apply neem oil on the leaves at the rate of 3.0%. Pumpkin diseases and their control
Powdery mildew: A speckled, white powdery growth appears on the upper surface of the leaves even on the main stem of the infected plant. It parasitizes using the plant as a food source. In severe infestations, leaves drop and fruits mature prematurely. If infestation is observed, take spray of water soluble sulfur@20g/10Ltr of water 2-3 times at an interval of 10 days.
Downy mildew: Pseudopernospora cubensis causes mottled symptoms and purple spots on the undersides of leaves. If its attack is seen, then use 400 grams of Dithane M-45 or Dithane Z-78 to get rid of this disease.
Anthracnose: Anthracnose afk ted leaves appear scorched. As a preventive measure, treat the seed with Carbendazim@2gm/kg of seed. If infestation is observed in the field, take spray of Mancozeb@2gm or Carbendazim@3gm/Ltr of water.
Harvest
Harvesting is mainly done when the skin of the fruit becomes light brown in color and the inner color turns golden yellow. Ripe pumpkins with good storage capacity can be used for long distance transportation. Immature fruits are also harvested for the purpose of sale.
Seed production
Keep a distance of 1000 m for foundation and 500 m for certified seed production from other varieties of pumpkin. Remove diseased plants from the field. When the fruits are ripe, that is, they change their color and become dull. They are then crushed by hand in fresh water and the seeds are then separated from the pulp. The seeds which are settled in the bottom are collected for seed purpose.
Hope you enjoyed reading this article on Pumkin Farming Guide and Cultivation Methods in India.
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