used in case of snakebite where it is administered internally and applied to the bitten part.
The root is given in syphilitic rheumatism and later stages of dysentery. The plant is bitter,
sweet, alexipharmic and emetic. The root is said to possess alterative and laxative
properties (Kirtikar and Basu, 1988). Root contains a bitter principle like Breyonin (Chopra
et al, 1980).
Agrotechnology
Cucurbits can be successfully grown during January-March and September-
December. For the rainfed crop, sowing can also be started after the receipt of the first few
showers. The seed rate and spacing recommended for the cucurbits are given below:
Plants Seed rate (kg/ha) Spacing (m)
Bitter gourd 5.0-6.0 2.0x2.0
Snake gourd 3.0-4.0 2.0x2.0
Bottle gourd 3.0-4.0 3.0x3.0
Ash gourd 0.75-1.00 4.5x2.0
Pumpkin 1.0-1.5 4.5x2.0
Cucumber/Melon 0.5-0.75 2.0x1.5
Water melon 1.0-1.5 2.0x3.0
Pits of 60cm diameter and 30-45cm depth are to be taken at the desired spacing. Well
rotten FYM or vegetable mixture is to be mixed with topsoil in the pit and seeds are to be
sown at 4-5/pit. Unhealthy plants are to be removed after 2 weeks and retained 2- 3
plants/pit. FYM is to be applied at 20-25t/ha as basal dose along with half dose of N
(35kg/ha) and full dose of P (25kg) and K (25kg). The remaining dose of N (35kg) can be
applied in 2 equal split doses at fortnightly intervals. During the initial stages of growth,
irrigation is to be given at an interval of 3-4 days and at alternate days during flowering and
fruiting periods. For trailing cucumber, pumpkin and melon, dried twigs are to be spread on
the ground. Bitter gourd, bottle gourd, snake gourd and ash gourd are to be trailed on
Pandals. Weeding and raking of the soil are to be conducted at the time of fertilizer
application. Earthing up may be done during rainy season. The most dreaded pest of
cucurbits is fruit flies which can be controlled by using fruit traps, covering the fruits with
polythene, cloth or paper bags, removal and destruction of affected fruits and lastly spraying
with Carbaryl or Malathion 0. 2% suspension containing sugar or jaggery at 10g/l at
fortnightly intervals after fruit set initiation. During rainy season, downy mildew and mosaic
diseases are severe in cucurbits. The former can be checked by spraying Mancozeb 0.2%.
The spread of mosaic can be checked by controlling the vectors using Dimethoate or
Phosphamidon 0.05% and destruction of affected plants and collateral hosts. Harvesting to
be done at least 10 days after insecticide or fungicide application (KAU,1996).