Bottle Gourd Farming Profit Per Acre

Bottle Gourd Farming

Bottle gourd farming profit per acre demonstrates strong economic potential, making it a lucrative option for farmers. With a total investment of NRs. 41,000 and a gross income of NRs. 135,000 (based on a yield of 9,000 kg sold at NRs. 15 per kg), the net profit amounts to NRs. 94,000 per acre. This translates to a profit margin of approximately 69.63% and a remarkable return on investment (ROI) of around 229.27%. Such profitability highlights the importance of efficient resource management and optimized cultivation practices in maximizing returns from bottle gourd farming.

Land Preparation

Begin 3-4 weeks before planting with deep plowing (20-25 cm) using a moldboard plow or tractor to expose pests and bury weeds. Follow immediately with harrowing or rotavating to break clods and level the field, ensuring even water distribution and preventing waterlogging. Allow the soil to weather in the sun for 1-2 weeks to kill pathogens and weed seeds.

Then perform 2-3 cross plowings or harrowings to create a fine, crumbly tilth. Form 15-20 cm high raised beds or ridges and furrows for essential drainage. Finally, incorporate 10-15 tons/acre of well-decomposed FYM or compost during the last harrowing.

Soil Type

Fertile, well-drained sandy loam or loamy soil with a pH range of 6.0 to 7.0—from slightly acidic to neutral—is the best soil for agriculture. The crop can withstand a wider pH range of 5.0 to 7.5, but productivity may suffer if it is outside of this ideal range. Very sandy soils with little water and nutrient retention and heavy clay soils with poor drainage and waterlogging are to be avoided.

Climatic Requirements

Major Cultivars

The selection of major cultivars should be based on several criteria, including the climate in the area, consumer preferences for fruit color, size, and form, disease resistance, and prospective yield.

Seed Rate

A seed rate of 2 kg is sufficient for one acre of land, and the seeds should be treated with Bavistin at 0.2% (3 g per kg of seed) to protect against soil-borne fungal infections.

Planting

a) Planting Season

This crop is primarily warm-season, with the main planting period in the Plains occurring during summer (February-March), while in the Hills, planting typically takes place in April-May.

b) Spacing

It is advised to leave 0.6 meters between plants within a row and 2 meters between rows. To allow for vine expansion, provide sufficient light penetration, and encourage healthy air circulation, proper spacing is crucial.

c) Planting Method

Direct seeding is the most popular planting technique. Two to three seeds are planted in each pit at a depth of two to three centimeters, and the strongest one or two seedlings are kept when true leaves emerge. Three to four weeks before field planting, seeds are sown in nursery beds or pro-trays for early crops or under controlled conditions. Healthy seedlings with three to four true leaves are then carefully transplanted to prevent root disturbance and immediately watered.

d) Number of Plants per Acre:

Based on the above spacing, approximately 3,372 plants can be accommodated per acre.

Intercropping

Intercropping with bottle gourd is suitable during the initial 6–8 weeks before the vines spread and cover the ground, allowing short-duration crops like radish, carrot, onion, garlic, leafy greens (such as spinach and amaranth), bush beans, and marigold (used as a trap crop or pest repellent) to be grown alongside.

This practice enhances land use efficiency, provides additional income, suppresses weeds, and can improve soil fertility, especially with legumes. However, care should be taken to avoid tall or nutrient-demanding crops that may compete with bottle gourd for light, water, or nutrients, and sufficient spacing for the main crop must be maintained.

Irrigation

The critical stages for irrigation and care are germination, flowering, fruit setting, and fruit development. Furrow irrigation is the most common method used, while drip irrigation is highly efficient as it conserves water, reduces disease by keeping foliage dry, and enables fertigation, which is the application of fertilizer through irrigation.

Fertilizer and Manure

Weed Control

Weed management is especially important during the initial 4 to 6 weeks after planting, before the vines have expanded enough to shade the soil. During this period, 2 to 3 shallow hoeings can effectively control weed growth, but care should be taken to avoid root injury from deep hoeing.

Applying mulch—either organic (like straw or dried leaves) or plastic—after the first weeding helps retain soil moisture, reduce weed emergence, and regulate soil temperature. Chemical weed control may also be used by applying pre-emergence herbicides such as Pendimethalin (500 g to 1 kg a.i. per acre) or Fluchloralin (0.75 kg a.i. per acre) right after sowing or before transplanting, followed by light irrigation.

However, herbicide use should be done cautiously and in strict adherence to label instructions, as post-emergence herbicide choices for cucurbit crops are limited.

Flowering and Fruit Management

Pest and Disease Management

Common Pests

a). Fruit Fly (Bactrocera spp.)

Fruit fly (Bactrocera spp.) is the most devastating pest, with females laying eggs under the fruit skin and larvae tunneling inside. Effective control measures include bait sprays (Malathion with protein hydrolysate), pheromone traps, field sanitation by removing infested fruits, neem oil sprays, prompt harvesting, and bagging of young fruits.

b) Red Pumpkin Beetle

The red pumpkin beetle poses a serious threat as adults feed on seedlings and cotyledons, while grubs damage roots and stems. Effective control includes seed treatment with Imidacloprid, foliar sprays using Malathion or Carbaryl, and the application of neem cake to the soil.

c) Aphids & Whiteflies

Aphids and whiteflies are sap-sucking pests that also transmit viruses, leading to reduced plant vigor and yield. Control measures include the use of yellow sticky traps, neem oil, insecticidal soap, and insecticides like Spiromesifen and Imidacloprid.

d) Leaf Miner

Leaf miners cause damage by tunneling through leaves during their larval stage. Control methods include removing and destroying mined leaves, along with spraying Spinosad or Abamectin for effective management.

Common Diseases

a). Powdery Mildew

Powdery mildew appears as white powdery patches on leaves and stems. It can be managed by growing resistant varieties, applying sulfur dust or sprays, using fungicides like Dinocap, Hexaconazole (2ml /liter), or wettable sulfur, and ensuring proper plant spacing to improve air circulation.

b) Downy Mildew

This disease appears as yellow angular spots on the upper leaf surface with purplish downy growth underneath, thriving in cool, humid nights. Control measures include fungicides, Metalaxyl + Mancozeb or Copper oxychloride, and avoiding overhead irrigation.

c) Anthracnose

Anthracnose causes sunken brown or black spots on leaves, stems, and fruits. Effective control includes seed treatment with Carbendazim and regular sprays of Mancozeb or Carbendazim at 2ml / liter to manage the disease.

d) Damping Off

Damping-off affects seedlings, causing them to collapse at the soil line. It can be controlled by avoiding waterlogging, ensuring well-drained soil, treating seeds with Thiram or Captan, and drenching the soil with Copper Oxychloride or Bordeaux mixture.

e) Virus Diseases

Viral diseases cause mosaic patterns, stunted growth, and distorted leaves in plants. Effective management includes controlling insect vectors like aphids and whiteflies, removing and destroying infected plants, and cultivating resistant varieties.

Harvesting

Yield

The typical yield of this crop ranges between 8,000 and 15,000 kilograms per acre, equivalent to 8 to 15 metric tons per acre.

Cost of Investment per Acre for Bottle Gourd

 Income from per Acre Bottle Gourd Farming

Analysis of Bottle Gourd Farming Profit Per Acre

Crop Calendar of Bottle Gourd

*(Duration: ~20-22 weeks from land prep to final harvest)*

Source

Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR)

Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO)

American Phytopathological Society (APS)

Nepal Agricultural Research Council (NARC)