Explore the essential facts about bottle gourd farming, from planting techniques to harvesting tips. This quiz highlights key aspects of cultivating this versatile vegetable in horticulture.
Which season is most suitable for sowing bottle gourd seeds in India for optimal yield?
Explanation: Summer provides the warm temperatures and long days that bottle gourd vines need for rapid growth and flowering. Winter and late autumn are too cold for good germination. Monsoon can encourage disease due to excessive moisture.
What type of soil is best suited for growing bottle gourd plants?
Explanation: Well-drained sandy loam offers adequate moisture retention and aeration for healthy roots. Heavy clay can cause water stagnation, rocky soil disrupts root development, and acidic peat can be too acidic, hampering growth.
What is the recommended depth for sowing bottle gourd seeds into the soil?
Explanation: Planting seeds 2-3 cm deep provides enough soil coverage for moisture and warmth, promoting even germination. Sowing at 0.5 cm can lead to drying out, while deeper (5-6 cm, 10-12 cm) may hinder emergence.
Which of the following pests commonly affect bottle gourd crops?
Explanation: Red pumpkin beetle is a major pest for bottle gourd, feeding on leaves and flowers. Mango weevil targets mangoes, wheat aphid affects wheat, and rice stem borer is primarily found in rice fields.
What is a key sign that bottle gourds are ready to be harvested?
Explanation: Bottle gourds should be picked when they are still tender and light green for best taste and quality. Vine turning brown or yellowing leaves signal plant aging, and hard, brown seeds indicate the fruit is over-mature.