Luffa Research Articles

Effect of biofertilizer on growth and yield attributes of ridge gourd (Luffa acutangula L.) under zone -7 of (Davangere, district) Karnataka

An experiment on Ridge gourd (Luffa acutangula L.) Effect of Biofertilizer on growth and yield attributes of Ridge gourd (Luffa acutangula L.) under zone -7 of Karnataka. The experiment was carried out at diploma (Agri) College Agricultural and Horticultural Research Station, Kathalagere, Davangere. In kharif season during the year 2022 with three replicated randomized block designs. with seven treatments in 6.5 x 5.5 m plot size twelve plant population was maintained in each plot with normal spacing given 1.5x1.5 m row and plant to plant respectively. The results of the experiment revealed Treatment T-5 (75% NPK + FYM +VC 1250 Kg/ha+ biofertilizer (Pseudomonous flourscence @ 2.50 kg/ha and Trichoderma viridae @ 750 g/ha) was shows better results recorded more number of primary branches/shoots(5.45 no) vine length (482.75 Cm) Leaves /plant (66.83 Nos) earliest opening of first female flower shows in in DAS (40.58) highest fruit length / diameter also (45.08 /8.26 Cm and fruit Yield recorded in (1.45kg), 15.06 kg) & (4635.89 kg) plant,/plot and hector respectively.

Penetapan Kadar Saponin dalam Gambas (Luffa acutangula L.) Hasil Pengeringan Matahari dan Pengeringan Oven Menggunakan Metode Gravimetri

Gambas fruit or oyong or often called ceme (Luffa acutangula L) or ridged gourd is a plant that belongs to the Cucurbitaceae family. Gambas fruit contains several important nutrients and also contains several chemical compounds, one of which is saponin which can be useful as an experctorant, antitussive, antidiabetic, anticholesterol, anticancer, antibacterial and antifungal. This research was conducted with the aim of knowing the differences in saponin levels and differences in yield in sun-dried and oven-dried squash fruits. Differences in temperature and drying method may allow for differences in the yield and saponin levels in the squash. Determination of saponin levels was carried out using the gravimetric method which was the advantage of not requiring a comparator (standard saponins). The result showed that the sun drying yield was 8,24% with ±SD 0,00021 and the oven drying yield was 7,21% with ±SD 0,02821 while the saponin content in sun drying was 0,39% with a coefficient of variation of 0,001% and oven drying saponin content of 11,96% with a coefficient of variation of 0,002%.

Activation of Luffa cylindrica with particulate matter for the removal of fluoride ions from aqueous solutions in a fixed-bed adsorption column

Activation of Luffa cylindrica with particulate matter for the removal of fluoride ions from aqueous solutions in a fixed-bed adsorption column

First evidence of 16SrII-D phytoplasmas association with Luffa cylindrica phyllody from India

First evidence of 16SrII-D phytoplasmas association with Luffa cylindrica phyllody from India

English

Produced water (PW) during oil and gas production operations contains various hazardous substances including heavy metals (HM) with adverse impact on the environment. Disposal of PW interferes with environmental sustainability, making PW treatment obligatory prior to discharge into the environment. Among previously available treatments of PW, environmentally sustainable methods using low-pore space bio-adsorbents require further development. This study investigated the efficacy of chemically-modified activated carbon (cMAC) of Luffa cylindrica (LC) and Banana Peel (BP) for the treatment of PW obtained from Niger-Delta oilfield, treated (2, 4, and 6 h) with finely ground (425 μm) carbonized LC and BP impregnated separately with phosphoric-acid and sodium hydroxide. The derived cMAC was characterized by proximate analysis and FTIR spectroscopy. Treated PW was analysed for HM using AAS, Langmuir, and Freundlich isotherms. Obtained values of the surface area for the cMAC from LC were 880 (NaOH), 830 (H3PO4) m2/g and BP was 810 (NaOH), and 920 (H3PO4) m2/g. The existence of active functional groups is revealed on the FTIR spectra. Results revealed a substantial drop in HM concentrations (Zn: 30-86%, Cu: 78-88%, Ni: 33-55%, Fe: 17-52%) in PW after treatment with cMAC at varying contact times. All metals (Zn, Cu, Ni) in the treated PW except Fe were below WHO and USEPA guideline limits. Treatment of Niger Delta oilfield PW was effectively improved with acid-modified carbonized L. cylindrica.   Key words: Activated carbon, adsorption, bio-adsorbent, heavy metals, oil-produced water, treatment

Biometría de Luffa cylindrica M. Roem., 1846 (Cucurbitaceae) y sus relaciones ecológicas con insectos visitantes en dos sistemas nutricionales diferentes

This research aimed to analyze the morphological development and biological cycle of Luffa cylindrica, in different types of fertilization (basalt powder and NPK), as well as to identify the visiting entomofauna. Research was made in Canoinhas, Santa Catarina State, in a 450 m² area, held in nine flowerbeds: three with basalt powder, three with NPK and three with no fertilization (control test). Evaluations were carried out fortnightly, and variables tested were: number of germinated seeds, plant height (cm), leaves and flowers length and width (cm), fruits length (cm), number of flowers and fruits, damaged fruits (presence or absence) and, finally, collection of visiting insects. The species germinated at 60 days, its leaves can reach 18.67 cm long and 16.72 cm wide; 10 flowers, measuring on average 6.67 cm, and 11 fruits with 24.50 cm in length. Basalt powder efficiency was higher for plant height and number of damaged fruits. For flowers number, length and width of flowers, NPK was more efficient, in the other variables there was no significant difference. Thus, basalt powder is a sustainable fertilizer alternative, avoiding conventional products.

Grafting to Manage Infections of the Emerging Tomato Leaf Curl New Delhi Virus in Cucurbits

Tomato leaf curl New Delhi virus (ToLCNDV) is an emerging begomovirus (Geminiviridae family) listed in the EPPO Alert List 2, present in the Mediterranean area and in Italy, where it was reported in 2015 in Sicilian courgette. The virus is widespread in cucurbits where it causes up to 100% production losses. In 2018, ToLCNDV was isolated in Apulia (southern Italy) in commercial fields of zucchini squash and since then its recurrent outbreaks generated justified concern among growers. Thus, a sustainable and environmentally friendly approach must be adopted. Genetic resistances have been identified in Cucurbita moschata and Luffa cylindrica but, compared to genetic resistance, grafting could provide a faster and more flexible solution because the graft wounding induces tolerance rather than resistance against airborne virus infection. Compared to tolerance, the up-regulation of resistance genes requires energy resources mobilized at the expense of primary metabolism, plant growth, and development. Results of screening among twenty-one local cucurbit cvs. ecotypes and accessions to evaluate tolerance levels against rub-inoculation of ToLCNDV led to the identification of potential rootstocks to attain suitable levels of tolerance against the virus in commercial cucurbit varieties. Cucurbit plants were challenged by a ToLCNDV isolated in Apulia denoted ToLCNDV-Le and evaluated for disease symptoms development and viral DNA accumulation up to 28 days after inoculation. On the basis of disease symptoms developed, plants were classified as tolerant, moderately tolerant, moderately susceptible, and susceptible. Cucumis melo cv. Barattiere did not show any detectable disease symptoms and very low levels of viral DNA accumulation was recorded; thus, it was used as rootstock for some of the remaining cucurbit genotypes that were used as scions. The tolerance trait was transmitted to the otherwise susceptible and moderately susceptible cucurbit genotypes grafted onto the cv. Barattiere. The results of this study suggest practical implications of the approach described.

Properties of Luffa Cylindrica Mats Reinforced Castor Oil-Based Polyurethane Composite as an Alternative for Oriented Strand Board.

The main objective of this work was to produce and characterize a novel ecofriendly castor oil-based polyurethane (COPU) matrix composite reinforced by Luffa cylindrica mats, luffa for short, to be used as panels, as an alternative to oriented strand board (OSB). To do so, the mechanical behavior was evaluated by tree point flexural, perpendicular o surface tensile, screw pullout, and impact tests that were carried on the novel composite along with the neat matrix. Furthermore, the physical characteristics, the thermomechanical behavior, and the functional groups of the materials were observed by water absorption and thickness swelling tests along with dilatometry and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). A comparison with commercialized OSB was also performed for control. The luffa/COPU composite was prepared by hand lay-up with 48 vol% of luffa mats incorporated as the maximum allowed by the mold under the available resources for manufacturing. The luffa fibers acted as a good reinforcement for the COPU matrix, where the flexural strength and modulus of elasticity were increased by more than 23 and 10 times, respectively, and the other mechanical properties more than doubled for the composites compared to the neat COPU resin. In general, the composite presented a lower performance compared to the commercial OSB, with the impact results being the exception. The water absorption and thickness swallowing results showed an already-expected behavior for the studied materials, where the better performance was found for the hydrophobic neat resin. The FTIR revealed that there was little interaction between luffa and COPU resin, which can be translated to a weak interface between these materials. However, the mechanical behavior, together with the other results presented by the luffa/COPU composite, confirm it is more than enough to be used as civil construction panels such as OSB.

SOMATIC EMBRYOGENESIS AND PLANTLET FORMATION FROM LEAF EXPLANTS OF SPONGE GOURD (Luffa aegyptiaca (MILL.) A MEDICINALLY IMPORTANT PLANT

An effective technique for the stimulation of somatic embryogenesis and plantlet regeneration from Leaf explants was developed in the sponge gourd (Luffa aegyptiaca (Mill.), which is significant in the field of medicinal botany. Fast-growing, yellowish nodular callus lines containing somatic embryos were established on an initiation medium supplemented with 2.0 mg/L 2,4-D, 3.0 mg/L 2,4-5-T, and 2.0 mg/L NAA, respectively. Somatic embryos were induced directly from cotyledon explants on Murashige and Skoog's (MS) medium fortified with different concentrations of 2,4- Dichlorophenoxyacetic acid, 2,4,5-trich On MS medium that was supplemented with 2.0 mg/L2,4-D and 1.5 mg/L TDZ, as well as 3.0 mg/L2,4-D and 2.0 mg/L BAP, embryo growth and good maturation were successfully accomplished. On an MS medium containing 2.0 mg/L TDZ and 2.0 mg/L NAA (-Naphthalene acetic acid), the well-formed embryos germinated into full plantlets and became plantlets. NAA stands for -Naphthalene acetic acid. The plants that had been regenerated were first transplanted into plastic cups and then into pots for maturation. After that, they were moved to soil and developed to maturity with an 80% survival rate, and the tissue culture-reared plants produced viable seeds.

Luffa cylindrica Intercropping with Semen cassiae—A Production Practice of Improving Land Use in Soil Contaminated with Arsenic

In recent years, research on the safe utilization and green remediation of contaminated soil by intercropping has become common. In this study, the growth of an intercropping system of Luffa cylindrica-Semen cassiae in soil contaminated with medium amounts of arsenic (As) was studied using field (91.60 mg kg-1) and pot (83.34 mg kg-1) experiments. The field experiments showed that intercropping significantly increased the yield per plant of L. cylindrica by 27.36%, while the yield per plant of S. cassiae decreased by 21.66%; however, this difference was not significant. Intercropping reduced the concentration of As in all organs of L. cylindrica but increased the concentration of As in all parts of S. cassiae. The accumulation of As per plant of L. cylindrica was reduced by 20.72%, while that in a single plant of S. cassiae was increased by 201.93%. In addition, the concentration of As in the fruit of these two crops in these two planting modes was low enough to meet the National Food Safety Standard of China (GB2762-2017). In addition, the land equivalent ratio and As metal removal equivalent ratio of the intercropping mode was 1.03 and 2.34, indicating that the intercropping mode had advantages in land use and As removal. In the pot experiment, the biomass and As concentration of L. cylindrica and S. cassiae were roughly consistent with those in the field experiment. During the sampling period, intercropping reduced the concentration of As in the rhizosphere soil solution of L. cylindrica by 3.1-23.77%, while it increased the concentration of As in the rhizosphere soil solution of S. cassiae by 13.30-59.40%. The changes in pH and redox potential were also closely related to the content of water-soluble As in the rhizosphere environment, which affects the absorption of As by plants. In general, the L. cylindrica-S. cassiae intercropping system is a planting mode that can effectively treat soil that is moderately contaminated with As and remove it from the soil to an extent.

Effect of Leaf Trichomes in Different Species of Cucurbitaceae on Attachment Ability of the Melon Ladybird Beetle Chnootriba elaterii.

This study investigates the attachment ability of the oligophagous melon ladybird beetle Chnootriba elaterii to leaves of several Cucurbitaceae species. Using cryo-SEM, we described adult and larva tarsal attachment devices and leaf surface structures (glandular and non-glandular trichomes) in Citrullus lanatus, Cucumis melo, Cucumis sativus, Cucurbita moschata, Cucurbita pepo, Ecballium elaterium, Lagenaria siceraria and Luffa aegyptiaca. Using traction force experiments and centrifugal force tests, we measured the friction force exerted by females and larvae on plant leaves. We observed that Cucurbitaceae glandular trichomes do not affect insect attachment ability at both developmental stages, suggesting some adaptation of C. elaterii to its host plants, while non-glandular trichomes, when they are dense, short and flexible, heavily reduce the attachment ability of both insect stages. When trichomes are dense but stiff, only the larval force is reduced, probably because the larva has a single claw, in contrast to the adult having paired bifid dentate claws. The data on the mechanical interaction of C. elaterii at different developmental stages with different Cucurbitaceae species, combined with data on the chemical cues involved in the host plant selection, can help to unravel the complex factors driving the coevolution between an oligophagous insect and its host plant species.

Luffa cylindrica (Linn. M. J. Roem) Reduces Oxidative Stress In Vivo in Plasmodium berghei-Infected Albino Mice

AbstractBackground Malaria is endemic in sub-Saharan Africa, and oxidative stress has been implicated in malaria disease. Luffa cylindrica is an ethnomedicinal plant used to treat various diseases, including malaria. The oxidative stress-reducing potential of L. cylindrica in malaria-disease state of Plasmodium berghei NK-65 parasite-infected mice was carried out in vivo.Materials and Methods Mice were infected with P. berghei NK-65, and the effect of administration of methanolic leaves extract (100, 200, and 400 mg/kg b.w) of L. cylindrica on percentage parasitemia in blood smear, antioxidant enzymes (catalase CAT, superoxide dismutase SOD, glutathione-s-transferase GST), non-enzymatic antioxidant (reduced glutathione GSH) and malondialdehyde concentration in tissues (plasma, liver, kidneys, and spleen) of mice was investigated and compared to chloroquine and artesunate as reference antimalarial drugs. Phytochemical constituents of the extract were determined by standard methods.Results Saponins, tannins, terpenes, phenolics, flavonoids, alkaloids, and glycosides were the phytochemical constituents identified in the extract. The extract at three doses (100, 200, and 400 mg/kg b.w.) investigated caused a significant reduction (p < 0.05) of parasite growth with over 90% reduction in parasitemia level in mice infected with the parasite. The extract also ameliorated oxidative stress in mice by significantly (p < 0.05) increasing the activities of CAT, SOD, and GST in the studied tissues of mice. The level of malondialdehyde, a marker of oxidative stress in mice, was also significantly (p < 0.05) reduced by the extract. The results were comparable with chloroquine- and artesunate-treated groups.Conclusion The study concludes that L. cylindrica is an effective therapy for treating malaria and for the management of its oxidative stress-related complications due to its antioxidant properties.

Productivity of Sugarcane-based Sequential Intercropping System Suitable for Central Telangana Zone

A field study was conducted at Agricultural Research Station, Basanthpur, Telangana, India during 2015 and 2017 to determine the suitability and productivity of year-long intercropping with short duration summer crops followed by ginger in sugarcane. The summer vegetable crops viz., green gram, tomato, watermelon, bitter gourd, bottle gourd, ridge gourd and keera were intercropped along with sugarcane. Following the harvest of summer crops, ginger seedlings were transplanted during May on the raised beds. The results of the study revealed that intercropping sugarcane with early summer vegetable crops of 75 to 90 days duration viz., watermelon and gourds followed by ginger in sequence reported yield advantage of 25 to 85 t ha-1 over sole sugarcane and proved to be a highly productive cropping system of sugarcane and best suitable for Central Telangana Agro-climatic Zone. The most profitable sequential intercropping for sugarcane followed the order-Sugarcane+bitter gourd-ginger (223.07 t ha-1)>watermelon-ginger (220.05 t ha-1)>ridge gourd-ginger (204.59 t ha-1)>bottle gourd-ginger (183.78 t ha-1)>keera-ginger (174.56 t ha-1)>tomato-ginger (169.22 t ha-1)>green gram-ginger (162.09 t ha-1). Under adequate irrigation facility, a yearlong sequence intercropping in sugarcane with short duration crops during the initial four months followed by a long duration intercrop that comes up well under partial shade conditions can sustain sugarcane cropping system with intermittent income and no adverse effect on the main crop yield.

Mixing tannery effluent had fertilizing effect on growth, nutrient accumulation, and photosynthetic capacity of some cucurbitaceous vegetables: A little help from foe.

Tannery effluent contains a number of organic and inorganic elements as pollutants which reduce plant growth. To overcome shortage of water, use of diluted industrial wastewater such as tannery effluent can be a viable strategy for improving crop growth and yield. A pot experiment was conducted to determine the effects of tannery effluent and its various dilutions on physiological and biochemical characteristics of five cucurbitaceous vegetables. Tannery effluent was applied 0, 25, 50, 75 and 100% to 3-week-old plants of five cucurbitaceous vegetables (Cucurbita maxima, Luffa cylindrica, Citrullus vulgaris, Cucumis melo, and Praecitrullus fistulosus) for 4weeks. Tannery effluent reduced the growth of all five cucrbitaceous vegetables. Diluted tannery effluent (25%) improved the growth of Cucurbita maxima, Citrullus vulgaris, and Cucumis melo. Moderately diluted (50%) did not affect the growth of Citrullus vulgaris and Cucumis melo. Toxic effects of tannery effluent were associated with high accumulation of heavy metals Cr, Cd, Mn, and Fe in leaves and roots. High accumulation of heavy metals in leaves reduced the accumulation of nutrients in leaves (N, P, K) and reduced photosynthetic pigments and photosynthetic rate. Changes in photosynthetic rates of all vegetable species due to tannery effluent were not associated with stomatal limitations (stomatal conductance, transpiration rate, internal CO2). Toxic effects of tannery effluent on plants also include changes in N-metabolism (amino acid and protein). However, extent of these adverse effects of tannery effluent on vegetables was species specific. It is suggested that Cucurbita maxima can be grown by supplying 25% tannery effluent, whereas Citrullus vulgaris and Cucumis melo can be grown with moderately diluted (50%) tannery effluent.

QTL mapping reveals candidate genes for main agronomic traits in Luffa based on a high-resolution genetic map.

Luffa is an important medicinal and edible vegetable crop of Cucurbitaceae. Strong heterosis effects and strikingly complementary characteristics were found between the two domesticated Luffa cultivars, Luffa acutangula and Luffa cylindrica. To explore the genetic basis underlying their important agronomic traits, we constructed the first interspecific high-density genetic linkage map using a BC1 population of 110 lines derived from a cross between S1174 (Luffa acutangula) and P93075 (Luffa cylindrica). The map spanned a total of 2246.74 cM with an average distance of 0.48 cM between adjacent markers. Thereafter, a large-scale field-based quantitative trait loci (QTLs) mapping was conducted for 25 important agronomic traits and 40 significant genetic loci distributed across 11 chromosomes were detected. Notably, a vital QTL (qID2) located on chromosome 9 with a minimum distance of 23 kb was identified to be responsible for the internode diameter and explained 11% of the phenotypic variation. Lac09g006860 (LacCRWN3), encoding a nuclear lamina protein involved in the control of nuclear morphology, was the only gene harbored in qID2. Sequence alignment showed completely different promoter sequences between the two parental alleles of LacCRWN3 except for some nonsynonymous single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in exons, and the expression level in thick-stem P93075 was distinctively higher than that in thin-stem S1174. According to the natural variation analysis of a population of 183 inbred lines, two main haplotypes were found for LacCRWN3: the P93075-like and S1174-like, with the former haplotype lines exhibiting significantly thicker internode diameters than those of the latter haplotype lines. It showed that LacCRWN3, as the only CRWN3 gene in Cucurbitaceae, was the most likely candidate gene regulating the internode diameter of Luffa. Our findings will be beneficial for deciphering the molecular mechanism of key phenotypic traits and promoting maker-assisted breeding in Luffa.

PH-Driven Selective Adsorption of Multi-Dyes Solutions by Loofah Sponge and Polyaniline-Modified Loofah Sponge.

In the last decades, sorbent materials characterized by low selectivity have been developed for the removal of pollutants (in particular dyes) from wastewater. However, following the circular economy perspective, the possibility to selectively adsorb and desorb dyes molecules today represents an unavoidable challenge deserving to be faced. Herein, we propose a sequential treatment based on the use of PANI-modified loofah (P-LS) and loofah sponge (LS) to selectively adsorb cationic (rhodamine, RHB, and methylene blue, MB) and anionic (methyl orange, MO) dyes mixed in aqueous solution by tuning the adsorption pH (100% MO removal by P-LS and 100% and 70% abatement of MB and RHB, respectively, by LS). The system maintained high sorption activity for five consecutive cycles. A simple and effective regeneration procedure for the spent adsorbents permits the recovery of the initial sorption capability of the materials (81% for MO, ca. 85% for both RHB and MB, respectively) and, at the same time, the selective release of most of the adsorbed cationic dyes (50% of the adsorbed MB and 50% of the adsorbed RHB), although the procedure failed regarding the release of the anionic component. This approach paved the way to overcome the traditional procedure based on an indiscriminate removal/degradation of pollutants, making the industrial wastewater a potential source of useful chemicals.

Peroxymonosulfate activation through magnetic Fe3C/Fe doped biochar from natural loofah sponges for carbamazepine degradation

Taking advantage of the unique properties of the channel structure of loofah, a series of three-dimensional (3D) magnetic Fe3C/Fe-doped biochar was prepared by simple and feasible pyrolysis of the mixture of raw loofah sponges and FeCl3·6H2O, and used as the functional activator of peroxymonosulfate (PMS) for carbamazepine (CBZ) removal. The optimized 0.5Fe@LSBC800 showed the optimum catalytic activity and almost complete CBZ was removed in the 0.5Fe@LSBC800/PMS system within 30 min, which was significantly higher than that of Fe0/PMS (44 %), Fe3O4/PMS (17 %), and Fe3C/PMS (45 %) systems due to the synergistic effect between the doped Fe species and 3D biochar with abundant nucleophilic groups (OH) and electrophilic groups (CO). Furthermore, the possible catalytic mechanism of PMS activation by 0.5Fe@LSBC800 was proposed based on the comprehensive characterization analysis, chemical probe experiments, and electron paramagnetic resonance test. The CBZ degradation pathways in the 0.5Fe@LSBC800/PMS system were proposed according to the detected degradation intermediates, and the ecotoxicity of CBZ and its by-products was evaluated. At last, the practical application potential of the 0.5Fe@LSBC800/PMS system was evaluated.

Engineered living photosynthetic biocomposites for intensified biological carbon capture

Carbon capture and storage is required to meet Paris Agreement targets. Photosynthesis is nature’s carbon capture technology. Drawing inspiration from lichen, we engineered 3D photosynthetic cyanobacterial biocomposites (i.e., lichen mimics) using acrylic latex polymers applied to loofah sponge. Biocomposites had CO2 uptake rates of 1.57 ± 0.08 g CO2 g−1biomass d−1. Uptake rates were based on the dry biomass at the start of the trial and incorporate the CO2 used to grow new biomass as well as that contained in storage compounds such as carbohydrates. These uptake rates represent 14–20-fold improvements over suspension controls, potentially scaling to capture 570 tCO2 t−1biomass yr−1, with an equivalent land consumption of 5.5–8.17 × 106 ha, delivering annualized CO2 removal of 8–12 GtCO2, compared with 0.4–1.2 × 109 ha for forestry-based bioenergy with carbon capture and storage. The biocomposites remained functional for 12 weeks without additional nutrient or water supplementation, whereupon experiments were terminated. Engineered and optimized cyanobacteria biocomposites have potential for sustainable scalable deployment as part of humanity’s multifaceted technological stand against climate change, offering enhanced CO2 removal with low water, nutrient, and land use penalties.

Polonium removal from waters by silver-coated Luffa Cylindrica biochar fibers

Polonium removal from waters by silver-coated Luffa Cylindrica biochar fibers

Luffa cylindrica Slow Pyrolysis and Solar Pyrolysis: Impact of Temperature and Heating Rate on Biochar Properties and Iodine Adsorption Performance

Recently, Luffa cylindrica has been drawing lots of attention in adsorption applications. However, the contaminated biomass needs to be properly disposed. Pyrolysis is a process capable of turning this type of residue into valuable product. Luffa cylindrica pyrolysis produces biochar which has been used as adsorbent for various cationic and organic species. Additionally, the use of solar power to heat the reactor reduces the environmental impact of pyrolysis. In this work, a lab-scale solar pyrolizer was built in a 40-dollar budget. This biomass was previously subjected to slow pyrolysis in an electrical reactor at various temperatures (300, 400, and 500 °C) and heating rates (2, 10, and 20 °C min−1) to assess the influence of these parameters on biochar properties. Further, the Luffa sponge sample was subjected to solar pyrolysis. The characterization methods of TG/DTG, FTIR, SEM, and HHV analysis were employed to assess biochar properties. Biochar adsorption performance was assessed by iodine adsorption experiments. Highest HHV (29.3 MJ kg−1) was obtained for the biochar from the 500 °C, 2 °C min−1 pyrolysis. Maximum iodine adsorption (162.9 mg g−1) was observed on the biochar produced at 400 °C, 2 °C min−1. Solar biochar had a 24.3 MJ kg−1 HHV and a Iodine adsorption of 115.2 mg g−1.Graphical Abstract