Bottle Gourd: Pests and Their Management

Bottle gourd, a crop abundant in several essential nutrients, holds significant importance in terms of health. It typically comes in two shapes: round and elongated. Apart from being a vegetable, it is also used to make dishes like raita and halwa. The fruits of bottle gourd are rich in protein, carbohydrates, minerals, and vitamins, along with dietary fiber. Due to high market demand, its cultivation proves to be profitable for farmers. However, sometimes, outbreaks of certain pests lead to reduced yield and quality, causing heavy losses to farmers. Therefore, it is essential for farmers to be aware of the major pests affecting bottle gourd crops.

Major Pests in Bottle Gourd Crop and Their Control Methods

Bottle gourd cultivation often faces threats from various pests, impacting yield and quality. Understanding these pests and implementing effective control measures is crucial for successful cultivation. Let's explore some of the key pests that affect bottle gourd crops and the strategies for managing them.

Damage caused by Red Pumpkin Beetle: The infestation of this insect is more visible in bottle-gourd crops. Red pumpkin beetles feed on the leaves and tender branches of the crops. This insect causes harm to plants in every stage, the larvae of this insect cause more damage to the stems and fruits of the plants. In terms of identification, these insects are orange in color, on which many colored spots are visible.

Control methods for Red Pumpkin Beetle:

• Mix 80-100 ml Thiamethoxam 12.6% + Lambda Cyhalothrin 9.5% ZC (DeHaat Entokill) in 150-200 liters of water and use it per acre.
• Mix 300-400 gm Acephate 50% + Imidacloprid 1.8% SP (UPL Lancer Gold) in 150-200 liters of water and use it per acre.
• Mix 300 ml Dimethoate 30% EC (Tata Tafgor) in 150-200 liters of water and use.

Damage caused by Fruit Flies: The caterpillar of this insect causes more harm, the adult fly is dark brown in color. This insect makes holes in small, soft fruits and lays eggs in them. The caterpillar emerges from its egg and spoils the inside of the fruit. The part of the fruit where the insect lays its eggs becomes crooked and rots.

Control methods for Fruit Fly:

• To control fruit flies, use 10-12 green-yellow sticky traps per acre.
• Mix 150 ml Deltamethrin 2.8% EC (Bayer Decis 2.8) in 150-200 liters of water and use it per acre.
• Mix 300 ml of Cyantraniliprole 10.26% w/w OD (FMC Benevia) in 150-200 liters of water and use it per acre.

Damage caused by Sap-sucking Insects: They suck the juice from the leaves of plants and weaken the leaves. Due to this the process of photosynthesis of plants reduces and the plants become weak. The proper growth of the plants is heavily affected adversely.

Control methods for Sap-sucking Insects:

• Mix 100 grams of Thiamethoxam 25% WG (DeHaat Asear) in 150-200 liters of water and use it per acre.
• Mix 100 ml Thiamethoxam 12.6% + Lambda Cyhalothrin 9.5% ZC (Dehat Entokill) in 150-200 liters of water and use it per acre.
• Mix 300-350 ml Chlorpyrifos 50% + Cypermethrin 5% (DeHaat C Square) in 150-200 liters of water and use it per acre.
• Mix 300-400 gm of Acephate 50% + Imidacloprid 1.8% SP (UPL Lancer Gold) in 150-200 liters of water and use it per acre.

Damage caused by Leaf Miners: These insects scratch and eat the green matter present in the leaves. Due to this, a tunnel is formed inside the leaves and white zig-zag lines appear on the leaves. This insect also affects the growth of plants adversely.

Control methods for Leaf Miners:

• Mix 300-350 ml of neem oil in 150-200 liters of water and spray it per acre.
• Mix 150 ml of Spinetoram 11.7% SC (Corteva Dow Delegate) in 150-200 liters of water and spray it per acre.
• Mix 300 ml Cyantraniliprole 10.26% w/w OD (FMC Benevia) in 150-200 liters of water and spray it per acre.
• Mix 300 ml Dimethoate 30% EC (Tata Tafgor) in 150-200 liters of water and spray it per acre.

Damage caused by Epilachna Beetle: The adults of this insect are oval, yellow-brown in color. These insects eat the leaves, leaving only veins in the leaves. Due to this plants are unable to prepare food and the growth of the plant stops.

Control methods for Epilachna Beetle:

• Mix 80-100 ml Thiamethoxam 12.6% + Lambda Cyhalothrin 9.5% ZC (Dehat Entokill) in 150-200 liters of water and use it per acre.
• Mix 300-400 gm of Acephate 50% + Imidacloprid 1.8% SP (UPL Lancer Gold) in 150-200 liters of water and use it per acre.
• Mix 300 ml of Dimethoate 30% EC (Tata Tafgor) in 150-200 liters of water and spray.

Which pests are adversely affecting your bottle gourd crop, and what remedies are you using? Share your insights in the comments below. For more information on protecting crops from various diseases and pests, follow the 'Agri Doctor' channel now. Also, by liking and sharing this post, you can share this information with fellow farmers.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q: Why does bottle gourd turn black?

A: There can be many reasons for the blackening of bottle gourd, such as fungal or bacterial infection, insect infestation, etc. Apart from this, bottle gourd fruits can also turn black in case of water logging or drought in the field. Excessive temperature is also one of the reasons for gourd turning black.

Q: What are the different kinds of diseases that affect the bottle gourd crop?

A: Many types of diseases affect bottle gourd crops. Some of the major diseases include powdery mildew, downy mildew, anthracnose, bacterial wilt, and cucumber mosaic virus disease.

Q: Why is the bottle-gourd plant not bearing fruits?

A: Inadequate pollination or lack of nutrients can be the reason for bottle gourd not producing fruits. To avoid this problem, ensure pollination and the availability of nutrients in appropriate amounts.

Q: What should be done to get more yield of bottle gourd fruits?

A: To enhance fruit yield and increase productivity, farmers are advised to carry out the 3G cutting technique for bottle gourd cultivation. This method ensures higher fruit yields, thereby enabling farmers to reap better profits. By implementing this technique, farmers can optimize their production and maximize their earnings.