OPTIMIZATION OF AGROTECHNIQUES IN THE CULTIVATION OF LUFFA-ACUTANGULA

Germination requirements, flowering pattern, planting density and grow ing regimes were examined for Luffa acutangula (L.) Roxb. Maximum germ ination (50%) was obtained at 35-degrees-C, and at 8, 12, and 45-degre es-C germination was completely inhibited. Partial removal of the seed coat increased the percentage of germination while vernalization and exposure to salinity greater-than-or-equal-to 50 mM NaCl reduced it. P lanting season influenced flowering pattern, with significantly more f emale flowers being produced in spring-summer (long days and high temp eratures) than in autumn-winter (short days and low temperatures). A h igh yield of 44.5-47.3 Mg ha-1 was obtained for plants trained on trel lises at planting densities of 10,000 and 20,000 plants ha-1. Fruits k ept at low temperatures showed the least deterioration during storage, a shelf life of about two weeks being demonstrated at 4-degrees-C.