Pumpkin is a popular and versatile vegetable crop grown across India. Known for its nutritional benefits, pumpkin is rich in vitamins A, C, and E, antioxidants, and dietary fiber. It is widely used in Indian cuisine for preparing curries, sweets, soups, and pickles. India’s diverse agro-climatic conditions make it suitable for cultivating a variety of pumpkin types year-round, offering farmers a profitable and resilient crop.
Pumpkin varieties in India differ in terms of fruit size, shape, color, yield, and disease resistance, making them suitable for different regions and market needs. This article highlights the top pumpkin varieties grown in India, their characteristics, uses, and cultivation regions.
1. Arka Suryamukhi
Arka Suryamukhi is a high-yielding variety developed by the Indian Institute of Horticultural Research (IIHR). It is known for its uniform fruit size and disease resistance.
- Fruit Shape: Round to slightly flattened
- Fruit Color: Yellowish-orange
- Average Weight: 2–4 kg
- Regions: Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Maharashtra
- Characteristics:
- High yield potential
- Tolerant to powdery mildew
- Excellent fruit quality with firm pulp
- Uses: Table consumption, curries
2. Pusa Vishwas
Pusa Vishwas is an improved variety developed by IARI (Indian Agricultural Research Institute). It is highly productive and well-suited for Indian climatic conditions.
- Fruit Shape: Oblong
- Fruit Color: Light green when immature, turning yellow-orange when ripe
- Average Weight: 3–5 kg
- Regions: Uttar Pradesh, Punjab, Bihar
- Characteristics:
- Resistant to diseases like downy mildew
- High yield with excellent shelf life
- Uses: Cooking, pickles, sweets
3. CO 1
CO 1 is a high-yielding pumpkin variety released by Tamil Nadu Agricultural University (TNAU). It is known for its adaptability to tropical climates.
- Fruit Shape: Round
- Fruit Color: Green with yellow patches
- Average Weight: 4–6 kg
- Regions: Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Andhra Pradesh
- Characteristics:
- Large fruits with sweet pulp
- High yield under tropical conditions
- Uses: Table consumption, desserts
4. Arka Chandan
Arka Chandan is a medium-sized, early-maturing hybrid variety developed by IIHR. It is highly resistant to common pumpkin diseases.
- Fruit Shape: Round to oval
- Fruit Color: Deep yellow to orange
- Average Weight: 2–4 kg
- Regions: Karnataka, Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu
- Characteristics:
- Early maturity (90–100 days)
- Tolerant to pests and diseases
- Uses: Fresh consumption, curries
5. Pusa Hybrid 1
Pusa Hybrid 1 is a hybrid variety developed for high yield and good quality fruits. It is widely grown across different agro-climatic zones.
- Fruit Shape: Round
- Fruit Color: Dark green turning orange
- Average Weight: 3–5 kg
- Regions: North India, Maharashtra, Karnataka
- Characteristics:
- High market demand due to its appearance
- Disease resistance (powdery mildew)
- Uses: Table consumption, culinary purposes
6. Narendra Agrim
Narendra Agrim is an early-maturing variety developed by NDUAT (Narendra Deva University of Agriculture and Technology). It is ideal for commercial cultivation.
- Fruit Shape: Round to slightly flattened
- Fruit Color: Greenish-yellow
- Average Weight: 2–3 kg
- Regions: Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Rajasthan
- Characteristics:
- Early maturity with high yield potential
- Suitable for rainfed conditions
- Uses: Fresh cooking, pickles
7. Kashi Harit
Kashi Harit is a medium-sized, early-maturing pumpkin variety developed by ICAR-IIVR (Indian Institute of Vegetable Research). It is grown for its high yield and disease resistance.
- Fruit Shape: Oval
- Fruit Color: Green turning orange when ripe
- Average Weight: 3–4 kg
- Regions: Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra, Gujarat
- Characteristics:
- Uniform fruit size with good market value
- Resistant to downy mildew
- Uses: Table consumption, sweets
8. Baby Boo
Baby Boo is a miniature pumpkin variety grown for its ornamental purposes and small-sized edible fruits.
- Fruit Shape: Small and round
- Fruit Color: White
- Average Weight: 300–500 grams
- Regions: Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Kerala
- Characteristics:
- Decorative appeal
- Tender and sweet pulp
- Uses: Table fruit, decoration
9. Punjab Samrat
Punjab Samrat is a high-yielding variety released by Punjab Agricultural University (PAU). It is widely grown for its uniform fruits and productivity.
- Fruit Shape: Round and flattened
- Fruit Color: Yellow-orange
- Average Weight: 3–4 kg
- Regions: Punjab, Haryana, Rajasthan
- Characteristics:
- High yield with uniform fruits
- Tolerant to major diseases
- Uses: Fresh consumption, sweets
10. Surekha
Surekha is a popular variety grown for its large fruits and excellent quality pulp. It is well-suited for both commercial and household cultivation.
- Fruit Shape: Round
- Fruit Color: Light green turning yellow
- Average Weight: 5–8 kg
- Regions: Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka
- Characteristics:
- Sweet pulp with thick rind
- Good storage life
- Uses: Culinary use, desserts
FAQs
Q1: Which is the best high-yielding pumpkin variety in India?
A: Arka Suryamukhi, Pusa Vishwas, and Pusa Hybrid 1 are among the best high-yielding varieties in India.
Q2: Which pumpkin variety is suitable for early maturity?
A: Narendra Agrim, Arka Chandan, and Pusa Hybrid 1 are early-maturing varieties.
Q3: Which variety of pumpkin has the sweetest pulp?
A: CO 1 and Surekha are known for their sweet and flavorful pulp.
Q4: Which states are the largest producers of pumpkin in India?
A: The leading pumpkin-producing states are Maharashtra, Uttar Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Gujarat, and West Bengal.
Q5: Are there ornamental pumpkin varieties in India?
A: Yes, Baby Boo is a miniature ornamental variety used for decoration and table purposes.
India’s diverse agro-climatic zones allow farmers to grow a wide variety of pumpkins throughout the year. From the high-yielding Arka Suryamukhi to the sweet CO 1 and ornamental Baby Boo, Indian farmers have numerous options to meet consumer demand. With increasing focus on nutrition and profitability, cultivating improved pumpkin varieties offers excellent opportunities for sustainable agricultural growth.
