Pointed Gourd

Pointed Gourd

Botanical Name : Tricosanthes dioica

Family : Cucurbitaceae

Chromosome No. : 2n = 22

Parwal has a special and important place among vegetables because it is a very beneficial and popular vegetable. The fruits of parwal are easily digestible and provide strength to the body's circulatory system. Parwal is a perennial vegetable. In India, parwal is cultivated on a large scale in states like Tamil Nadu, Kerala, West Bengal, Bihar, Eastern Uttar Pradesh, Arunachal Pradesh, Assam etc., while in Punjab, Haryana and Delhi, it is cultivated in Kharif. Commercially, it is cultivated in Eastern Uttar Pradesh, Deoria, Basti, Gonda and Jaunpur districts. Its popularity is also increasing continuously in other states.

Nutritive value - Raw fruits of parwal are used as a vegetable. Its vegetable is diuretic and laxative. Apart from this, it is beneficial for the brain, heart and blood circulation. For patients, it acts as nectar. Decoction of the stem of parwal is beneficial in phlegm cough. Parwal vegetable is easily digestible, due to which it removes constipation. 'Soup' is made from the leaves and soft stems. Kadhi is made from it.

Parwal is a storehouse of nutrients, because 22 nutrients are found in it. Its food value is shown in the table-

(Nutrition Value of Pointed Gourd per 100 gm)

Moisture : 12.0 g

Fat0 : 0.3g

Fiber : 3.0 g

Protein : 2.0 g

Minerals : 0.5 g

Carbohydrates : 2.2 g

Magnesium : 9.0 mg

Sodium : 2.0 mg

Copper : 1.1 mg

Chlorine : 4.0 mg

Thiamine : 0.05 mg

Nicotinic acid : 7.00 mg

Calcium : 30.00 mg

Oxalic acid : 7.00 mg

Potassium : 83.00 mg

Iron : 1.70 mg

Sulfur : 17.00 mg

Riboflavin : 0.60 mg

Vitamin C : 23.00 mg

Vitamin A : 25.50 IU

Calories : 20.00

Origin and History – The birthplace of Parwal is India. It has reached other countries from India. It is very popular in Assam, West Bengal, Bihar and Uttar Pradesh.

Varieties – No special research work has been done in India on its improved varieties, as a result of which only its local varieties are grown. Varieties of Parwal are classified on the basis of size.

(A) According to Dr. Mehta –

1. Parwal with small, round and green stripes, called 'Patar' in Uttar Pradesh.

2. Variety with green fruits with thin, long, white stripes on the ends.

3. Variety with long, light green fruits.

(B) Classification on the basis of size –

1. Long and swollen variety is grown in West Bengal, East Uttar Pradesh and Bihar.

2. Varieties with small, flat, green or light colored striped or stripeless fruits.

Improved varieties – The major improved varieties grown in India are mentioned below-

No.

Variety

Specification

Faizabad Parval-1

The fruits of this variety are round, green in colour with white stripes. The weight of the fruit is 20-30 grams. This is a suitable variety for cultivation in Uttar Pradesh and Bihar.

Faizabad Parval-3

The fruits of this variety are 6-8 cm long, thick, green and have white stripes. The weight of the fruit is 25-30 grams. The pulp is somewhat yellowish.

Faizabad Parval-4

The fruits of this variety are 8-10 cm long, thick, smooth and light green in colour. The weight of the fruit is 20-30 grams. The pulp is white. The specialty of this variety is that it can be grown even in barren land.

Faizabad Parval-5

The fruits of this variety are 6-8 cm long, thick and light green in colour with white stripes on them. The weight of the fruit is 20-25 grams.

Rajendra Parval-1

This variety has been developed by Rajendra Agricultural University, Bihar. This variety is suitable for growing in Diara land.

Rajendra Parval-2

This variety has also been developed by Rajendra Agricultural University. This variety is suitable for growing in Uttar Pradesh and Bihar.

Swarna Alaukik

This variety has been developed by Central Horticultural Testing Center, Ranchi, Jharkhand. The fruits are 5-8 cm long and light green in colour. The fruits are suitable formaking vegetables and sweets. The capacity of the fruits is high. It gives a yield of 240-280 quintals per hectare. It is a suitable variety for cultivation in Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, Odisha, West Bengal and Telangana region of Andhra Pradesh.

Swarna Rekha

The fruits of this variety are 8-10 cm long and green in colour with stripes. Fruits are straight and seeds are soft. It gives a yield of 200-300 quintals per hectare. Suitable for making vegetables and sweets. It is a suitable variety for cultivation in Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, Odisha, West Bengal and Telangana region of Andhra Pradesh.

C.H.E.S. Elite line

The fruit of this variety weighs 60-80 grams. This variety is recommended for cultivation in Bihar, Odisha and Uttar Pradesh.

Hybrid Varieties –

C.H.E.S. Hybrid 1

This variety has been developed by Central Horticultural Testing Center Ranchi. The fruit weight is 30-35 grams. It is a fruit fly resistant variety. It is India's first hybrid variety.

C.H.E.S. Hybrid-2

This variety has been developed by Central Horticultural Testing Center Ranchi. The fruit weight is 25-30 grams. It gives 400 quintals of yield per hectare.

Other Varieties – Apart from the above mentioned varieties, other varieties of Parwal are also available, among which Narendra Parwal 260, 307, 601, 604, BRP 101, 102, 103, 104 Dandali, Shankoliya, Chhoti Hili are the main ones which are grown in different parts of the country.

Climate – Parwal requires hot and humid climate. Parwal can be successfully cultivated in all those areas where the average annual rainfall is 100-150 cm. It is grown as a Kharif crop in the plains of northern India. If this crop is grown as a perennial crop, then in autumn the upper part of the vine either goes into dormancy or dies but the roots remain in dormancy throughout the period. Due to increase in temperature in spring, tillers sprout in the vine.

Soil & Its preparation - For successful production of Parwal, sandy loam soil rich in organic matter with proper drainage is considered best. In eastern Uttar Pradesh, Assam, Bihar and West Bengal, it is grown in fields besides the Diara land along the river banks. In Bihar, cultivation of Parwal is very profitable in flood-prone areas. There it should be planted in the month of June.

If Parwal is to be planted in uplands, then first plough the land with a soil turning plough and after that run the cultivator twice. After every ploughing, do the levelling. Dig a pit 30 cm long, 30 cm wide and 30 cm deep by keeping a distance of 1.5 m from row to row and 1.5 m from plant to plant. 4-5 kg of cow dung or compost manure, 109-150 grams of DAP manure should be mixed in the soil and the pits should be filled.

Manure and Fertilizers - Since Parwal is a perennial crop, it takes a lot of nutrients from the soil. In Bihar, West Bengal and Eastern Uttar Pradesh, in the fields near the river banks, where the soil brought by the rivers accumulates, 50 kg of nitrogen, 40 kg of phosphorus and 40 kg of potash are given per hectare in addition to 200-250 quintals of cow dung manure. In the first year of grafting, 100-150 quintals of compost manure, 400 kg of super phosphate, 100 kg of muriate of potash and 100 kg of calcium ammonium are given before planting the rooted cuttings. After about 30-45 days, 50 kg urea is given as top dressing in the standing crop. In perennial plants, the first dose is given in February-March and the second dose in April-May.

In eastern Uttar Pradesh, the following amount of fertilizer is given to the parwal crop-

50-60 tons of Farm Yard Manure and 15-16 tons of castor oil cake are put in the field before preparing the land. There are two main benefits of adding castor oil cake to the parwal crop-

1. It does not let the nitrogen go waste.

2. The plant keeps working with the same nitrogen throughout the year.1

It is also recommended to give 250 kg ammonium nitrate and 375 kg single super phosphate along with castor oil cake. Both these fertilizers should also be put in the land through drill at the time of final ploughing at the time of preparing the land. New method of giving manure and fertilizers

Scientists have developed a new method of giving manure and fertilizers to parwal, which is mentioned below-

50-60 tons of cow dung manure and 15-16 tons of castor cake are given at the rate of per hectare at the time of preparation of the land. After that, add 56 kg nitrogen (about 115 kg urea) while filling the soil in the pits. In the second and third year, add 113 grams of ammonium sulphate and 1 kg of cow dung manure per plant while pruning the vines. By doing this, more yield of high quality parwal is obtained.

Sowing - Parwal can be grown through seeds and stem cuttings. Plants produced from seeds are weak and have about 50% male and 50% female vines. This method is not good for commercial production.

For commercial production, parwal is grown through stem cuttings. Most of the cuttings are taken from female vines and 5-18% cuttings are taken from male vines, so that pollination can be easy and good. The yield is also higher from the crop grown from cuttings.

In September-October, 1.5 meter long cuttings are planted in the field. 4-5 thousand cuttings per hectare are sufficient. While planting the cuttings, it should be kept in mind that there should be at least one male plant among 15-20 female plants. As soon as its flowers appear, male and female plants should be marked. So that there is convenience in cutting the cuttings. Female flowers are smaller than male flowers and the lower part is swollen, which is hairy and white in colour, while the lower part of the male flower is long. The ovary is located in the swollen part below the female flower.

The cuttings should be planted in a well-prepared field. The cuttings are planted at a distance of 1.5 metres. Yellow soil is wrapped up to 8.75 cm in the lower part of the cutting and 30-30 cm of stem is exposed on both sides. From this middle part, the roots of the cuttings are buried 25 cm deep, so that both ends are exposed. To provide proper support, the cuttings are planted against trees, betel vines or walls.

In Bihar, pits are dug at a distance of 2.5-3.0 metres and then a mixture of sufficient quantity of cow dung manure and castor cake is put in them. Later, 30 cm long cuttings are taken, one end of which is left outside and buried.

In Uttar Pradesh, 25-30 cm deep trenches are made. Necessary manure and fertilizers are put in these trenches and the cuttings of vines are planted. A distance of 1.75 - 2.00 meters is kept between two cuttings.

When irrigation facility is available, the cuttings are ready in March, July, August and September.

Propagation by roots - In some areas, pointed gourd is propagated by roots. The roots of pointed gourd are thick and tuberous. Germination is faster in them as compared to stem cuttings. Therefore, propagation by roots is better.

Irrigation and Drainage - Irrigation of Parwal depends on the time and season of planting the cuttings, which is described below-

The cuttings planted in February-March and September require irrigation before the onset of monsoon and after its end, whereas the Kharif crop does not require irrigation. If there is no rain for a long period, then in that case irrigation should be done as per the need. 15-20 irrigations should be given between February and June because Parwal requires more moisture at the time of flowering and fruiting.

If water accumulates in the field due to any reason, then immediate arrangements should be made to drain it out, otherwise the crop may turn yellow and die.

Pruning of Vines - Pruning of vines is an essential task after the fruiting of Parwal is complete. Therefore, pruning of vines should be done in October-November. In which about 25-30 cm long stem portion is left.

Pandal - Vines are allowed to spread in the flat field. But to get more and high quality crop of Parwal, they should be spread by making 1.0 or 1.2 meter high pandal. In Uttar Pradesh, Delhi, Bengaluru, vines are spread on pandals.

Pointed Gourd

Plant Protection

Weed control - Many weeds grow along with the Parwal crop which take moisture and nutrients from the soil, as a result of which the development and growth of the plants is adversely affected. Therefore, at the end of winter, the land near the roots of the plants should be weeded. So that we get rid of the weeds and at the same time the soil can be aerated. Since its vines spread upwards, weeds are not able to be very effective.

Insect Control

Fruit fly - This fly enters the fruits by making holes in them and lays eggs inside due to which the fruits rot. Sometimes this fly also damages the flowers.

The following measures should be taken to control this insect -

- Break the damaged fruits and destroy them.

- Spray 0.05% Thiodan.

Red Pumpkin beetle - This is a 5-8 cm long and red colored insect, which causes damage immediately after the germination of seeds. It eats the middle part of the leaves.

Sevin (0.2%) solution should be sprayed to control this insect.

Disease Control

Powdery mildew - This disease is caused by a fungus called Erysiphe cichoraceus. In this disease, white spots appear on the lower surface of old leaves. Gradually the number and size of these spots increase and later a layer like white powder gets deposited on both sides of the leaves. Apart from the leaves, the stems and flowers are also attacked. The normal growth of the leaves stops and they turn yellow.

To control this disease, 0-03 percent Karathane should be sprayed every week. Apart from this, spraying of Benlate, Bavistin has also been found beneficial.

Picking of fruits - Fruits should be picked based on their proper maturity. Generally, fruits are picked in their unripe state. Although fruits are picked from April to September, but in northern India more fruits are available in July-August.

Yield - The yield of parwal depends on many things. These include fertility of the soil, the crop grown, propagation method and care of the crop.

Usually, in the first year, 60-90 quintals of yield is obtained per hectare. This yield is up to 150-200 quintals per year. Its hybrid varieties yield up to 300-400 quintals per hectare.