Joseph John. K., Suma A., Alfia M.A., Harish G.D.*, L.K ...
Transcript of Joseph John. K., Suma A., Alfia M.A., Harish G.D.*, L.K ...
Study funded by DBT project on ‘Collection, Conservation, Taxonomy, Diversity,
Cytology, Molecular Characterization and Nutritional analysis of Momordica
subangulata Blume subsp. subangulata and other edible species of Momordica L.
From Northeast India’
Joseph John. K., Suma A., Alfia M.A., Harish G.D.*, L.K. Bharathi**, Berin Pathrose***, Suresh Kumar****, Thirumalaisamy P.P., K. Pradheep, M. Latha *ICAR-NBPGR, Regional Station, Shillong, Meghalaya **Central Horticultural Experiment Station, Chettalli, Karnataka ***College of Horticulture, Kerala Agricultural University, Thrissur, Kerala ****Progressive farmer, Kalarcod, Alappuzha
Teasel gourd, also called ‘Kantola’ and
Assam Kakrol (Momordica subangulata
subsp. renigera (G.Don) de Wilde) is a semi-
domesticated vegetable, native to Assam-
Myanmar region. Bangladesh is the leading
producer and export the fresh produce to
Middle East countries. In India, it is cultivated
commercially in Eastern and North Eastern
states mainly Odisha, West Bengal, Assam,
Tripura and to a small extent in Andaman
Islands. It is a homegarden vegetable in all
North Eastern states. Its cultivation needs to be
popularized in nontraditional areas due to its
nutritional richness combined with high
consumer acceptability and adaptability to
high rainfall humid tropical regions.
Compared to its close wild relative, M. diocia
(Erumappaval/spine gourd); it has bigger fruit
size, extended harvest period, efficient
vegetative propagation, higher yield and is
more amenable to commercial cultivation.
Land preparation and Planting
Kantola thrives very well in tropical
humid climate. It can tolerate high rainfall and
low sunshine hours prevalent in southern
Western Ghats and west coast during South
West monsoon season. Well drained deep
alluvial soils are the best, even though sandy
loams and well worked out laterite soils are
also good. A temperature range of 25-340 C
during the crop period of 5-6 months and high
humidity are ideal. Soil pH should be regulated
by liming before planting.
Sprouted plantlets maybe planted with
the onset of pre-monsoon showers in March-
April (extendable to May end) or for an
offseason crop under assured irrigation in
October- November. Soil should be tilled to a
depth of 30 cm and levelled. About 150g lime
powder may be sprinkled around each planting
pit and allowed to wash down through soil
(give an irrigation after liming or leave aside
for10 days/expose to rain for leaching out).
Pits of 60 x 60 x 60 cm size may be dug at a
spacing of 1.5 x 1.5 m. Pits may be filled with
about 5 Kg well rotten Farmyard manure and
top soil. About 500 g bone meal may be
applied as basal dose along with 250g neem
cake. In root knot nematode infested soil, a
light burning of the dugout pits with dry leaves
is good for control of nematodes. Planting can
be done in pots and grow bags also. Containers
with a capacity to hold about 10-15 Kg potting
mixture are ideal.
Cultivars/ varieties
Being a semi-domesticated crop,
varietal improvement is at its infant stage.
Nevertheless ICAR-IIHR recommended
varieties and cultivars like Arka Gaurav, Arka
Neelachal Shanthi (Hybrid), Arka Bharath
Ready to transplant plantlets
collection number: JB/11-173, and NBPGR.T.
hybrid.1 (IC597084 X IC553771) are good
yielders of which the latter three have bigger
fruit size (110-135 g) and prolific bearing.
Propagation
Kantola is a dioecious vine with both
sexual and vegetative mode of reproduction.
For optimum female to male ratio and uniform
behavior, vegetative propagules are preferred.
Tubers have a natural dormancy and 2-3
months after senescence, they can be
excavated. An average plant produces over 25-
35 adventitious tubers of 60–80g on
stoloniferous roots. Tuber pieces and stolon
cuttings may be sprouted in portrays before
transplanting to fields. Cut tuber pieces should
be treated with 2% Dithane M-45 and shade
dried before keeping for sprouting.
Aftercare
Kantola is a fast grower and tuber raised
plants comes to flowering within 35-40 days
and first harvest can be taken within 52-55
days. Yield can be increased considerably by
adopting drip irrigation, fertigation and
mulching. It cannot tolerate waterlogging but
needs assured water supply for continuous
flowering and fruiting. Paddy straw, plated
coconut leaves or polythene mulching sheets
can be used to prevent weed growth and
conserve soil moisture. Foliar spray of fish
amino acid @ 3ml/L in weekly intervals will
enhance growth and flowering.
Training
Being a weak stemmed tendrillar
climber, it needs a pandal or bower system for
optimum spread of vines. Dried tree branches
or bamboo tops are ideal for grow bag
cultivation and home gardens. For
convenience of hand pollination pandal
breadth should be less than 1.5m and at breast
height with walking space between rows.
Single line trellies of nylon net and angular
iron/ wooden poles extending the whole length
of the bed and of 1.5m width and 1.5-1.8m
height are ideal for commercial plots.
Adventitious root tubers
Arka Bharath NBPGR.T. hybrid.1
(IC597084 X IC553771)
Male plant trailed to vertical support
Pollination management
In the absence of its specific pollinators
outside its home range, female flowers needs
assured hand pollination for enhanced fruit set.
Natural pollination rate outside North East
India is between 10- 20%. A few male plants
may be raised on staggered dates in a corner of
the field and male flowers handpicked and
stamens touched/rubbed to the receptive
stigmas preferably before noon for assured
fruit set. Surplus pollen may be stored under
refrigeration in air tight containers for
pollination on next day. In humid wet climate,
stigma receptivity extends to 24 hours from
anthesis and become receptive 12 hours before
anthesis.
Harvesting and marketing
Yield may vary from place to place
depending upon soil fertility and climatic
conditions. On an average a healthy vine yields
between 10-12 kg (>20kg) tender fruits in a
span of 4 months. Fruits are harvested 10-12
days after pollination, when they are still green
and tender. Delayed harvest leads to
progressive orange coloration of fruits and
hardening of seeds, making it unappealing to
consumers. Regular picking of fruits at 3 days
interval promote new flowering and more
yield. Harvested tender fruits remain fresh for
2-3 days in moist and shady conditions and up
to a week under refrigeration. Tender fruits can
be cooked as vegetable according to local
preference. It can also be pickled, canned or
brined. Surplus can be sliced and dehydrated
or sundried for preparing value added
products. Fruits are cooked the same way as
bitter gourd replacing it in recipes. Cooked
fruit is non bitter and with bitter gourd/ spine
gourd like flavour. Fruits are nutritionally very
high, rich in vitamins, minerals and essential
amino acids.
Nutritional values
Proximate nutrient composition of M.
subangulata subsp. renigera
Component Content
Moisture (%) 89.87 ± 0.08b
Protein (g/100g) 1.69 ± 0.05b
Total fat (g/100g) 1.00 ± 0.03a
Total sugar (g/100g) 9.17 ± 0.03b
Reducing sugar (g/100g) 5.50 ± 0.02c
Starch (g/100g) 8.25 ± 0.04ab
Mineral content of M. subangulata subsp.
renigera
Component Content
P (%) 0.37 ± 0.13a
K(%) 2.30 ± 0.21a
Ca (%) 0.12 ± 0.05ab
Mg (%) 0.10 ± 0.07b
Fe (ppm) 119.80 ± 0.07a
Mn (ppm) 33.90 ± 0.77b
Cu(ppm) 10.80 ± 0.07a
Zn(ppm) 32.30 ± 0.04b
It also contain small quantities of essential
nutrients like ascorbic acid, carotene, thiamin,
riboflavin, niacin and Selenium.
Male flower and
anther lobes
(inset)
Female flower
Pests and diseases
Teasel gourd is susceptible to many pests
and diseases which can be controlled through
application of locally made bioformulations.
Root knot nematode, epilachna beetle, and
fruit fly are the important pests affecting yield/
marketability.
Cucumber moth
Young bright green larva initially
scrapes the chlorophyll content. Later it folds
and webs the leaves and feed within. It also
feeds on flowers and bores into the developing
fruits. The early stage caterpillars should be
handpicked and destroyed. Spraying of 5%
neem seed kernel extract can also effectively
manage the caterpillar. In case of heavy
infestation spray chlorantraniliprole 18.50 SC
@ 3 ml/10 lit of water or Bt @ 2 ml/liter of
water.
Fruit fly
Maggots of this insect feed on tender
fruits resulting in distorted and malformed
fruits. The infested fruits should be collected
and destroyed by burying deep in the soil or by
immersing in boiling water. For trapping the
adult flies cue lure pheromone traps may be
used. Pheromone traps @ one trap/15 cents
should be installed in the pandal once the
flowering initiates. Tender fruits may be
wrapped in paper bags or polythene bags to
prevent egg laying by fruitfly. Drenching the
basins with Beauveria bassiana can prevent
the emergence of pupae. If the infestation is
severe malathion @ 2 ml/litre may be sprayed
after adding 10 g jaggery to the spray solution.
Spotted/Epilachna beetle
Scrapping of chlorophyll, skeletonization
and drying of leaves are the typical symptoms.
The egg mass, grubs and adults can be easily
identified and can be manually collected and
destroyed. It may be controlled by weekly
spray of organic decoctions like cow urine
with bird eye chilli (25g) diluted in 10 L water.
Yeast traps kept in coconut shells also controls
the pest effectively.
Red pumpkin beetle
Adult beetles eat the foliage leaving
holes in the foliage. Addition of 50-100 g neem
cake in the basin will effectively manage the
beetles.
Jassids
Nymphs and adults of jassids suck sap
from the under surface of leaves. Marginal
yellowing of the leaves is the initial symptom
and later the entire leaves become yellow due
Epilachna beetle and maggot feeding on leaves
Fruit fly damage on fruit
to the insect infestation. Spraying of 2% neem
oil garlic emulsion at the initial stages can
control the pest. If the insect infestation is
severe imidacloprid 17.8 SL (confidor) may be
sprayed @ 3 ml/10 L.
Scale insect
At a later stage of growth scales infest
stems and leads to drying up/death of plants.
Imidachloprid 17.8 SL (confidor) @ 3ml/10 L
may be sprayed to affected stem parts.
Root knot nematode
Root system of the nematode infested
plant is heavily knotted and growth of vines is
severely arrested.
The leaves appear yellow and leaf size is
reduced and majority of the veins become dry
and wither. Root system progressively
degenerates and ratoon cropping is affected.
Application of neem cake (500g), and
Paecilomyces lilacinus (10g) per pit as basal
application with Farmyard manure is effective
in reducing the severity of the infestation. A
second dose of P. lilacinus @ 10g/pit at 40
DAP may be applied to reduce infestation.
Crop rotation after two years should be
followed. Soil application of Pochonia is also
effective in reducing soil inoculum.
Incorporation of Cartap @ 5-10 g per pit may
be done leaving collar region.
Downey mildew
The symptoms of pale green areas
separated by dark green areas appear on upper
surface of leaf. Under humid conditions,
corresponding lower surface of yellowish
areas is covered with faint purple fungal
growth. The affected leaf dries up quickly. Use
of bed system with wide spacing and good
drainage, air movement and exposure to sun,
help to check the disease development. Spray
mancozeb 0.2% or curzate 0.3% or
chlorothalonil 0.2% or ridomil (metalaxyl +
mancozeb MZ 0.1%) if the disease is severe.
Attack of scale insects
Downy mildew symptoms on leaves
Root knot nematode attack on roots
Anthracnose
The diagnostic features of anthracnose
are sunken, elongated stem cankers. Large
lesions girdle the stems and cause the vines to
wilt. Foliage affected by anthracnose appears
scorched. Treatment with carbendazim 2g/kg
of seed tubers and spray of mancozeb 2g or
carbendazim 0.5g/lit are recommended.
Fusarium wilt
The disease causes wilting and chlorosis
(yellowing) of older leaves which is most
evident during the hottest period of the day.
Plants appear to recover by morning, only to
wilt again in the afternoon. Stem cracks and
brown streaks often appear near the crown of
the plant, associated with a red- brown
exudate. Fusarium wilt also causes vascular
browning that is visible in stem cross- sections.
Methods to reduce Fusarium populations in
the soil include summer ploughing of severely
infested fields, crop rotation with
noncucurbitaceous crops etc. Application of
Trichoderma enriched FYM at the time of
planting can reduce the disease incidence. If
the disease is severe drench the basins with
carbendazim + mancozeb 0.2%.
General recommendations for organic
cultivation of teasel gourd
As the plants pick up growth, apply 250g
neem cake and about 2kg rice husk to the basin
and incorporate in the soil by raking
(prophylatic measure against root knot
nematode) which may be followed by
drenching the basin once in a month with neem
cake soaked water. For continued flowering
and heavy yield, monthly application of 5L
slurry made of organic manures like 1kg each
of groundnut cake, neem cake, castor cake,
bone meal and 5Kg fresh cow dung, fermented
for 5 days and then diluted 10 times with water
is recommended by innovative farmers. A
herbal pesticide made of neem oil, garlic, bird
eye chilli and bar soap may be given as foliar
spray for general insect pest control.
Ripe fruit pulp and rind are rich source
of β carotene and lycopene. Tender leaves and
clippings are excellent vegetables. Sprouts
also can be cooked and eaten.
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© 2021 ICAR-NBPGR
Published by:
ICAR-NBPGR Regional Station, Thrissur-680656, Kerala
Email: [email protected] Phone: +91-487-2370499/ 2372589
Compiled & edited by: Joseph John K, M Latha, M Abdul Nizar, A Suma & R Asokan Nair