OPTIMIZATION OF AGROTECHNIQUES IN THE CULTIVATION OF LUFFA-ACUTANGULA

Citation
S. Huyskens et al., OPTIMIZATION OF AGROTECHNIQUES IN THE CULTIVATION OF LUFFA-ACUTANGULA, Journal of Horticultural Science, 68(6), 1993, pp. 989-994
Citations number
21
Categorie Soggetti
Horticulture
ISSN journal
00221589
Volume
68
Issue
6
Year of publication
1993
Pages
989 - 994
Database
ISI
SICI code
0022-1589(1993)68:6<989:OOAITC>2.0.ZU;2-4
Abstract
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.