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Cultivation of Coccinia or Ivy Gourd in India ; A full Information Guide

January 21, 2021May 3, 2023 Agrovista 0 Comments

Cultivation of Coccinia or Ivy Gourd in India; A full Information Guide

Introduction;

Coccinia (Coccinia indica) or Ivy Gourd is a tropical perennial crop that belongs to the family Cucurbitaceae. Coccinia is a popular quick-growing perennial creeper vegetable crop. This is also known as baby watermelon, little gourd, and gentlemen’s toes. Other popular names of Coccinia are tindora, tindoli , and kundru in India

The original home of Coccinia is believed to be India. It is widely cultivated in the eastern parts of India, Ceylon, Malaya, and Tropical Africa. In India, it is grown mainly in the states of TN, Karnataka, Gujarat, Kerala, Maharashtra, WB, Telangana, and AP.

Health Benefits of Coccinia ;

Coccinia species are highly beneficial for human health because of their antioxidant and anti-inflammatory characteristics due to its characteristics it is used in curing high blood pressure, diabetes, high cholesterol, and obesity.

Table of Contents

Climatic Requirements for Coccinia Cultivation;

Coccinia requires warm and humid conditions the most ideal temperature of its cultivation ranges between 20 degrees Celsius to 32 degrees Celsius Coccinia can be grown around the year but the frequency of fruiting is more during the rainy and summer season.

Soil & its Preparation for Coccinia Cultivation;

Coccinia can be grown on various types of soil ranging from sandy to heavy clay loam. But silt and loam including clay loam are the most suitable soils for Coccinia. The ideal pH range for its cultivation is 6 to 6.5 The land is ploughed twice or thrice and finally leveled before planting.

Varieties of Coccinia ;

Important improved varieties are – Sulabha, Indra Kundru – 5, and Indra Kundru – 39

Propagation of Coccinia Plant;

It is generally propagated vegetatively by vine cuttings of last season’s wood about 6 mm thick and about 30 cm long are planted vertically at a depth of 6 cm deep with a spacing of 2 meters between the basin.

The best planting time is before the rainy season ie June to July or February to March in the Spring season. A ratio of 10:1 Female vs Male plant population must be maintained in the coccinia filed. Although Coccinia is a perennial crop it is advisable the plant should be replanted once every three to four years.

Manuring in Coccinia Cultivation;

For each plant, at least 0.25 kg of ammonium sulphate and 0.125 kg of superphosphate should be applied. The mixture can be applied once in July and repeated in October, January, and in March in the basins.

Aftercare in Coccinia Cultivation ;

Weeding should be done when necessary, depending upon the intensity of weeds, but the soil in the ring should be stirred after one or two irrigation

Pruning is done twice a year in September and in October. The shoots which are of finger thickness are pruned back to two buds and applied 4 to 6 of FYM per plant after the accomplishment of pruning.

Irrigation Requirements in Coccinia Cultivation ;

Irrigation should be given as and when needed. Irrigation at the interval of 8 days is beneficial to the crop. Vines may be retained for three years after which the yields become poor.

Harvesting of Coccinia Crop ;

The first picking of fruits starts about six months of planting. The tender fruits are picked in the early morning or evening. The fruits are available throughout the year. But the peak season for harvest is between April and November