Farmers can make a lot of money by planting enhanced apple gourd cultivars. Here are some strategies suggested by scientists for obtaining the highest possible earnings from cultivating it.
Climate and soil conditions are required for cultivation.
A hot and humid climate is good for apple gourd cultivation. It can also be cultivated in the rain, but during this time, the chances of getting disease and pests increase. It can be cultivated in all types of soil. The optimal land for its cultivation is light loamy terrain with a high bio-density and good water retention capacity. The apple gourd can be grown twice a year. This is determined by the climate of the country.
Making the field ready
To seed apple gourd vegetables, the soil must first be made brittle by ploughing thoroughly with the tractor and cultivator of the field. A soil-turning plough should be used during the first tillage of the field. After that, use a harrow or cultivator to plough the land 2-3 times. After this, add 8–10 tonnes of rotten dung manure per acre per acre of manure. Now, after preparing the field, seeds are to be sown in pits.
Seed quantity and seed treatment
One and a half kilogrammes of seeds are sufficient for sowing a third of an acre. Before planting, the seeds should be treated. Before sowing, the seeds should be soaked in water for 12 to 24 hours. This improves their ability to germinate. Carbendazim, at a rate of 2 grammes or theerum 2.5 grammes per kilogramme of seeds, should be used to protect seeds against soil-borne fungus. Treat the seeds with 4 grammes of trichoderma viride or 10 grammes of Pseudomonas fluorosances per kg of seeds after chemical treatment. After that, let the seeds dry in the shade before sowing them.
Things to know while fertilizing
The method of sowing
Apple gourd is commonly grown in flat beds, although it also grows well in doules. Raised beds should be built starting at 15 metres around the world. The seeds created a metre-wide drain between the beds that was 60 metres long on both sides. Sow 1.5–2 metres away from the depth of the seeds. Keep it from getting too deep.
Irrigation and weed control
The summer apple gourd crop can be planted now. The second seeding will take place during the wet season after that. For the cultivation of summer apple gourd, irrigation should be done once a week. While rain irrigation is based on rainwater, many weeds grow alongside the apple gourd crop, affecting the growth and health of the plants as well as the production. That is why it is critical to avoid it. Weeds should be weeded 2-3 times to eliminate them.
When to pluck an apple gourd vegetable
Fruit plucking begins 40–50 days after sowing. It should be noted in plucking that the fruits should be plucked when they are ripe and medium-sized. After that, the gap can be broken every 4–5 days.