Tropical and subtropical vegetables (2+1)

Climate and Soil

Climate
It is worm season crop .It cannot tolerate high cold and frost . The bottle gourd is a typical tropical plant which requires warm and humid climate for the best growth. The optimum temperature for growth 24°-27°C. It is highly sensitive to photoperiod. High rainfall amounts with prolonged cloudiness results in a higher incidence of diseases and in turn drastically reduces the yield. Short days and humid climate promote femaleness.

Soil
Bottle gourd can be grown on all types of soils, but sandy loam soils with high organic matter content are considered best. Soil should be well drained and the pH between 6-7. The soil should be deep soil so that is can support the vine for a longer period. Soil-moisture is important for rapid growth and it should be at least 10-15% above the permanent wilting point.It can be raised successfully in riverbeds. The soils should not crack in summer and should not be water-logged in rainy season. The soil temperature for good crop growth should be 18°-22°C.