Top Bottle Gourd Seed Varieties in India
Explore top bottle gourd seed varieties in India for high yield, early maturity, and healthy growth—perfect for kitchen gardens and farms.
🥒 Introduction:
Bottle gourd, also known as lauki, doodhi, or sorakaya, is a popular summer vegetable across India known for its cooling effect and high nutritional value. It grows vigorously during warm months and is ideal for both home gardeners and commercial farmers. Choosing the top bottle gourd seed varieties in India is key to achieving early harvests, disease resistance, and high productivity. In this guide, we’ve listed the best-performing hybrid and open-pollinated bottle gourd seeds for Indian conditions.
🌿 Top Bottle Gourd Seed Varieties in India
| Variety Name | Type | Days to Harvest | Key Features |
|---|---|---|---|
| Arka Bahar | Open Pollinated | 55–60 days | Long, straight fruits, excellent yield |
| NS-407 (Namdhari) | Hybrid | 45–50 days | Early fruiting, smooth skin, strong vines |
| Kaveri Bottle Gourd | Hybrid | 50–55 days | Dark green cylindrical fruits, heavy yield |
| Pusa Summer Prolific Long | OP | 60–65 days | Ideal for summer sowing, tender fruits |
| Indam 1001 | Hybrid | 50 days | Heat-tolerant, long fruits, suitable for summer |
| Advanta BG-102 | Hybrid | 48–52 days | Uniform shape, tolerant to fruit fly |
🌱 Growing Tips for Bottle Gourd in India
📅 Sowing Time
- Summer Crop: February–April
- Monsoon Crop: June–July
- In South India: Almost year-round under irrigation
🌾 Soil & Climate
- Soil: Fertile, well-drained loamy soil
- pH: 6.0–7.5
- Climate: Warm and humid conditions favor fast growth
🌱 Sowing Method
- Soak seeds for 6–8 hours before planting
- Direct sowing recommended; spacing: 2.5–3 feet between plants
- Use raised beds or organic-rich pits for best root growth
💧 Watering
- Maintain consistent moisture; water every 3–4 days
- Avoid waterlogging at base of vines
🐛 Pest & Disease Control
| Common Issue | Organic Solution |
|---|---|
| Fruit fly | Neem cake + traps + netting |
| Downy mildew | Use baking soda + neem oil weekly |
| Aphids | Spray with garlic-chili or neem oil mixture |
🪴 Trellis & Support
- Train vines on a sturdy trellis or pandal
- Enhances fruit shape, reduces rot, and eases harvesting
✂️ Harvesting Tips
- Pick fruits when they are young and firm (12–15 inches)
- Harvest every 2–3 days to encourage continuous production
1. Pusa Santushti
- Developed By: ICAR-Indian Agricultural Research Institute (IARI)
- Features: Pear-shaped fruits weighing 0.8–1.0 kg; matures in 55–60 days; yields 26–28.8 t/ha; suitable for both summer and kharif seasons; rich in Vitamin C, calcium, and iron.
- Ideal For: Home gardeners and farmers in Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Jharkhand, Delhi, Madhya Pradesh, and Maharashtra. AgriTech+3iivr.icar.gov.in+3Apni Kheti+3Technology Transfer UnitIcar E-Pubs
2. Arka Bahar
- Developed By: ICAR-Indian Institute of Horticultural Research (IIHR)
- Features: Medium-long, straight, light green fruits (~1 kg); tolerant to blossom end rot; yields 160–180 q/acre.
- Ideal For: Farmers seeking high-yielding, disease-tolerant varieties. Apni Kheti
3. Kashi Bahar (F1 Hybrid)
- Developed By: ICAR-Indian Institute of Vegetable Research (IIVR)
- Features: Long, straight, light green fruits (30–32 cm, 780–850 g); vigorous vines; high yield potential.
- Ideal For: Commercial cultivation across various regions. Icar E-Pubs+1iivr.icar.gov.in+1iivr.icar.gov.in
4. Pusa Summer Prolific Long & Round
- Developed By: ICAR-IARI
- Features: Long and round fruit variants; early maturing; suitable for summer cultivation.
- Ideal For: Home gardeners and small-scale farmers. AgriTech+1iivr.icar.gov.in+1
5. Punjab Barkat & Punjab Bahar
- Developed By: Punjab Agricultural University
- Features: Punjab Barkat: Long, cylindrical, tender fruits; moderately resistant to mosaic disease; yields ~226 q/acre. Punjab Bahar: Nearly round, medium-sized fruits; yields ~222 q/acre.
- Ideal For: Farmers in Punjab and neighboring states. safalseeds.in+3Flipkart+3Icar E-Pubs+3Apni Kheti
6. CO 1 (F1 Hybrid)
- Developed By: Tamil Nadu Agricultural University (TNAU)
- Features: Cylindrical fruits; high yield potential (600 q/ha); suitable for all districts of Tamil Nadu.
- Ideal For: Farmers in Tamil Nadu seeking high-yielding hybrids. seednet.gov.in
7. Safal Seeds Varieties
- Varieties: Pratap, Sharad, Sheru, SSB 125, SSB 145, Vikrant
- Features: High-yielding, disease-resistant, smooth and tender fruits; suitable for various climatic conditions.
- Ideal For: Farmers seeking robust and adaptable varieties. safalseeds.insyngenta.co.in
8. Syngenta Varieties
- Varieties: Avneesh, Vinayak
- Features: Good plant vigor, excellent femaleness, uniform fruit shape.
- Ideal For: Commercial farmers seeking consistent quality and yield. syngenta.co.in
These varieties are well-suited for cultivation during the summer (February–April) and post-monsoon (September–October) seasons, when temperatures are consistently warm. Ensure adequate sunlight, regular watering, and proper support for the climbing vines to achieve optimal growth and yield.harithaorganicseeds.com
📌 Summary:
Bottle gourd is a staple summer crop in Indian gardens and farms, offering both health benefits and high yields. Choosing the right seed variety—such as Arka Bahar, NS-407, or Kaveri—can greatly impact your productivity and disease resistance. With proper care, regular watering, and a trellis system, your kitchen garden or field can produce fresh, tender gourds throughout the season.
If you need assistance in selecting the right variety based on your specific region or cultivation practices, feel free to ask!
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