Effect of organic nutrient sources on growth parameters and flowering dynamics in ridge gourd (Luffa accutangula L.) cv. Pusa Nasdar

Abstract

The present investigation entitled “Impact of organic nutrient sources on Growth Parameters and Flowering Dynamics in Ridge gourd (Luffa accutangula L.) cv. Pusa Nasdar was carried out at the Instructional cum research farm of Organic Farming Research & Training Centre, Vasantrao Naik Marathwada Krishi Vidyapeeth, Parbhani, during kharif season 2022-2023. The objective was to study the effect of various organic sources of nutrients on growth and flowering of ridge gourd (Luffa accutangula L.) cv. Pusa Nasdar. The experiment was laid out in Randomized Block Design in nine treatments with three replications. The treatments were T1 (100% RDN through FYM), T2 (100% RDN through FYM + Jivamrut 3 app. At 20, 40 & 60 DAP (SA & FA)), T3 (75% RDN through FYM + Jivamrut 3 app. At 20, 40 & 60 DAP (SA & FA)), T4 (50% RDN through FYM + 25% RDN through Neem cake + Jivamrut 3 app. At 20, 40 & 60 DAP (SA & FA)), T5 (Jivamrut 3 app. At 20, 40 & 60 DAP (SA & FA)), T6 (100% RDN through FYM + Biofertilizers [(Azotobacter + PSB) SA 2.5 litre/ha & ST]), T7 (75% RDN through FYM + Biofertilizers [(Azotobacter + PSB) SA 2.5 litre/ha & ST]), T8 (50% RDN through FYM + 25% RDN through Neem cake + Biofertilizers [(Azotobacter + PSB) SA 2.5 litre/ha & ST]), T9 (100% RDF + FYM @ 5 t/ha (Control)). The study found that treatment T9 (100% RDF + FYM @ 5 t/ha) outperformed other treatments in enhancing growth and flowering, achieving maximum vine length and branch count along with optimal flowering parameters, including the highest male and female flower counts. Treatment T6 (100% RDN through FYM + Biofertilizers) also showed strong results, particularly in promoting earlier flowering and larger fruit girth.