Bottle gourd, commonly known as “Lauki” , is one of the most widely cultivated and consumed vegetables in India. Known for its light green color, elongated or rounded shape, and soft pulp, bottle gourd is highly valued for its nutritional and medicinal properties. It is a low-calorie vegetable rich in water content, dietary fiber, vitamins C, B-complex, and essential minerals like potassium and calcium, making it ideal for weight loss and digestive health.
Bottle gourd grows well in tropical and subtropical climates, thriving in warm temperatures and well-drained soils. Major bottle gourd-producing states in India include Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Haryana, Rajasthan, Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, and West Bengal. Farmers across the country cultivate several high-yielding, disease-resistant, and hybrid varieties to meet the increasing market demand for fresh vegetables and processing purposes.
This article highlights more than 10 top bottle gourd varieties in India, their unique features, regions of cultivation, and primary uses.
1. Pusa Naveen
Pusa Naveen is a popular variety developed by the Indian Agricultural Research Institute (IARI) for high yield and superior fruit quality.
- Fruit Shape: Long and cylindrical
- Fruit Color: Light green with smooth skin
- Maturity: 55–60 days
- Regions: Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Punjab, Haryana
- Characteristics:
- High yield and uniform fruit size
- Suitable for both summer and rainy seasons
- Resistant to major diseases
- Uses: Fresh consumption
2. Arka Bahar
Arka Bahar is a high-yielding variety developed by the Indian Institute of Horticultural Research (IIHR), Bengaluru.
- Fruit Shape: Cylindrical and medium-long
- Fruit Color: Light green
- Maturity: 55–60 days
- Regions: Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Maharashtra
- Characteristics:
- High yield potential
- Tolerant to pests and diseases
- Uses: Fresh markets and home gardens
3. Punjab Komal
Punjab Komal is a widely grown variety in northern India due to its vigorous growth and high yield.
- Fruit Shape: Medium-long, cylindrical
- Fruit Color: Light green
- Maturity: 60–65 days
- Regions: Punjab, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh
- Characteristics:
- Uniform fruiting with smooth skin
- Excellent shelf life
- Uses: Fresh consumption
4. Co-1
Co-1 is a popular variety developed by the Tamil Nadu Agricultural University (TNAU) for its quick maturity and productivity.
- Fruit Shape: Long, cylindrical
- Fruit Color: Light green
- Maturity: 50–55 days
- Regions: Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Kerala
- Characteristics:
- Early maturity with uniform fruit size
- Suitable for warm and humid climates
- Uses: Fresh markets
5. Kashi Ganga
Kashi Ganga is a high-yielding variety developed by the Indian Institute of Vegetable Research (IIVR), Varanasi.
- Fruit Shape: Long and cylindrical
- Fruit Color: Shiny light green
- Maturity: 55–60 days
- Regions: Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, West Bengal
- Characteristics:
- Uniform fruit shape and color
- Resistant to downy mildew and powdery mildew
- Uses: Fresh consumption and export
6. Narendra Bottle Gourd-1 (NDBG-1)
NDBG-1 is a high-yielding variety with uniform fruits and excellent disease tolerance.
- Fruit Shape: Medium-long and cylindrical
- Fruit Color: Light green
- Maturity: 55–60 days
- Regions: Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Jharkhand
- Characteristics:
- High yield and smooth-textured skin
- Resistant to viral diseases
- Uses: Fresh consumption
7. CO-2
CO-2 is an improved variety developed for its uniform fruiting and adaptability to southern climates.
- Fruit Shape: Long and cylindrical
- Fruit Color: Light green
- Maturity: 50–55 days
- Regions: Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh
- Characteristics:
- Early maturity with vigorous growth
- Resistant to major fungal diseases
- Uses: Fresh markets
8. Pusa Meghdoot
Pusa Meghdoot is an early-maturing variety with high fruit quality and market acceptance.
- Fruit Shape: Cylindrical, medium-long
- Fruit Color: Green
- Maturity: 55–60 days
- Regions: Punjab, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh
- Characteristics:
- High productivity with consistent fruit size
- Ideal for summer cultivation
- Uses: Fresh consumption
9. Arka Manoj
Arka Manoj is another variety developed by IIHR for its uniform cylindrical fruits and high yields.
- Fruit Shape: Long and slender
- Fruit Color: Light green
- Maturity: 60–65 days
- Regions: Maharashtra, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu
- Characteristics:
- High yield potential
- Good shelf life for transportation
- Uses: Fresh markets
10. Pusa Summer Prolific Long
This variety is highly suitable for summer cultivation and offers excellent fruit size and yield.
- Fruit Shape: Long and slender
- Fruit Color: Smooth, light green
- Maturity: 55–60 days
- Regions: Northern India, Maharashtra
- Characteristics:
- Heat-tolerant with continuous fruit production
- Uniform fruit shape and size
- Uses: Fresh consumption
11. Pusa Santushti
Pusa Santushti is a hybrid variety known for its high yield and disease resistance.
- Fruit Shape: Cylindrical, uniform
- Fruit Color: Shiny green
- Maturity: 55–60 days
- Regions: Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Rajasthan
- Characteristics:
- Resistant to major diseases like downy mildew
- High productivity
- Uses: Fresh consumption, export
India’s diverse agro-climatic conditions enable the successful cultivation of high-yielding and disease-resistant bottle gourd varieties like Pusa Naveen, Arka Bahar, Punjab Komal, and Kashi Ganga. These varieties cater to both domestic and export markets, providing farmers with an opportunity to earn better returns. By adopting improved farming techniques and selecting suitable varieties, Indian farmers can ensure high productivity and quality of this nutritious vegetable.
FAQs
Q1: Which is the most popular bottle gourd variety in India?
A: Pusa Naveen, Arka Bahar, and Punjab Komal are among the most popular varieties for their high yields and quality fruits.
Q2: Which variety is best for summer cultivation?
A: Pusa Summer Prolific Long and Co-1 are ideal for summer cultivation due to their heat tolerance.
Q3: Which bottle gourd variety is most disease-resistant?
A: Pusa Naveen, Kashi Ganga, and Arka Bahar are resistant to common diseases like downy mildew and powdery mildew.
Q4: Which states are major producers of bottle gourd in India?
A: The leading bottle gourd-producing states are Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Rajasthan, Haryana, Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, and Andhra Pradesh.
Q5: Can bottle gourd be grown year-round in India?
A: Yes, bottle gourd can be grown throughout the year in regions with warm and humid climates, but it thrives best during the summer and rainy seasons.
Q6: Which variety is best for export purposes?
A: Varieties like Kashi Ganga, Arka Bahar, and Pusa Naveen are suitable for export due to their uniform size, smooth texture, and good shelf life.
