Sweet Gourd Research Articles

A Review on Effect of Bio-fertilizers and Chemical Fertilizers on Growth, Yield and Quality of Dioecious Cucurbits

No vegetable group in India is as diverse as the cucurbits. They are adapted to diverse soil and climate condition and contribute significantly to total vegetable production. Dioecious cucurbits cultivation merge with trellising, staking, mulching, application of biofertilizers and growth regulators hold immense potential and promise for future vegetable production and market in our country. Biofertilizer can be defined as a substance which contains living organisms which, when applied to seed, plant surface, or soil, colonize the rhizosphere or interior of the plant, and promote growth by increasing the supply or availability of primary nutrients to the host plant. Biofertilizers are an chief component of integrated nutrient management system for sustainable agriculture and along with chemical fertilizers. Studies suggest that cultivation of dioecious cucurbits along with chemical and organic fertilizers gives immense result on account of yield and productivity. Our country possesses a rich diversity like spine gourd, ivy gourd, bitter gourd, sweet gourd, pointed gourd and has ideal climate and soil to cultivate these cucurbits. Mostly these miner cucurbits are largely grown or wild gathered and sold in the market by small and marginal farmers. Hence promotion of these cucurbits holds key to ensuring livelihood security and income generation for to the tribal’s, marginal and small farmers in remote rural regions. Dioecious cucurbits mainly possess different important chemical compounds which can be used in nutraceuticals industries. These cucurbits has the potential to act as a source of income generation for rural farmers as they have immense market potential. These cucurbits need strong research support for better production and utilization.

A case series evaluating the efficacy of herbal oil-based Bambusa vulgaris (Bamboo) leaf extracts as a topical treatment for atopic dermatitis

BackgroundAtopic dermatitis (AD) is a chronic, immune-mediated inflammatory skin disease and incurable that affects both children and adults. Up-to-now, there is no established animal model for AD that can be used in treatment experiments hence it challenges. This case series study aimed to describe the primary clinical treatment outcomes in volunteers with AD when using herbal oil-based bamboo leaf extracts. MethodsDerma gel's ingredients includes: (a) Total Bamboo leaf extracts (50%); (b) Mixed herbal oils (olive, curcumin, coconut, sweet gourd in equal volume, 10%); (c) Vaseline (40%) (d) Skin penetration enhancement additives. It was tested for safety and fast antimicrobial activity before using as a supportive AD treatment. From January to December 2022, 9 cases of AD (ranging from mild to severe) were recruited, including children and adult. The patients applied Derma gel with total bamboo leaf extracts three times a day for three months. The Three Item Severity (TIS) score was used to assess the severity of AD, which included evaluating erythema, edema, papulation, and excoriation at baseline and after 3 months of follow-up. ResultsAmong the 9 AD participants (2 mild, 3 moderate, and 4 severe), 8 out of 9 regardless of the severity of their condition or age, experience with corticosteroids became asymptomatic AD after 3 months of using Dermal gel. ConclusionThese primary results suggested that Bambusa vulgaris leaf extracts could potentially be effective in alleviating AD symptoms and promoting asymptomatic periods. To further validate these findings, additional investigation through randomized clinical trials is necessary. If confirmed, these results could contribute to the development of a novel topical herbal medicine for AD treatment.

Monitoring and eco-friendly management of cucurbit fruit fly, Bactrocera cucurbitae (Coquillett) on bitter gourd

An experiment was conducted to assess the adequacy of distinctive management practices, viz. yellow sticky trap set at 50, 100, and 150 cm height, fruit fly bait with a mashed sweet gourd (MSG), bagging, sanitation, and Ecomec 1.8 EC at the rate of 1mL per liter of water sprayed at 7 days interval. The experiment was carried out with a randomized complete block design (RCBD) with 8 treatments and 3 replications. All the treatments significantly differed from the control. The total highest number and weight of healthy fruits were recorded in bagging (41.33 and 6.08 kg) but the lowest in control (19.00 and 2.22 kg, respectively). No infested fruits were found in bagging, meanwhile, the highest number and weight of infested fruits were counted in control (13.00 and 1.27 kg). In addition, bagging appeared to have no percent of infestation by number and weight. The highest percent of fruit infestation was found in control (40.75% and 36.48%) treatments based on number and weight. No wet reduction was found in the bagging treatment and the highest percent weight reduction per fruit was recorded in Ecomec 1.8 EC (30.17%). The highest number of larval densities were found in fruit fly bait with MSG (15.83) and the lowest in a yellow sticky trap set at 150 cm height (6.7). The highest number of fruit flies in a yellow sticky trap set at 50 cm height was captured on 21 March 2021 (4.33) and the lowest was on 29 April 2021 (1.33). The highest number of fruit flies were captured in a yellow sticky trap set at 50 cm height (43/trap) and the lowest in a bait trap with MSG (9.70/bait). The highest yield and increase of yield over control were found in bagging (12.16 tons/ha and 176.10%). J. Asiat. Soc. Bangladesh, Sci. 48(1-2): 67-82, June-December 2022

Intercropping of Cauliflower With Sweet Gourd At Different Plant Population

Intercropping is a popular way to boost crop yield and profitability by maximizing the use of natural and agricultural resources. A study was carried out to establish crop arrangement for sweet gourd and cauliflower intercropping systems. The experiment was carried out during two consecutive years of 2019-20 and 2020-21 to identify the appropriate cauliflower population for intercropping with sweet gourd for increased production and profitability. Seven treatments viz. T1= Sole Sweet gourd (2 m × 2 m), T2=100% Sweet gourd + 3 rows cauliflower 37.5% (60 cm × 50 cm), T3=100% Sweet gourd + 3 rows cauliflower 23% (60 cm × 80 cm), T4=100% Sweet gourd + 4 rows cauliflower 50% (50 cm × 50 cm), T5=100% Sweet gourd + 4 rows cauliflower 31% (50 cm × 80 cm), T6=100% Sweet gourd + 5 rows cauliflower 31% (40 cm × 100 cm) and T7=Sole Cauliflower (50 cm × 50 cm). The maximum sweet gourd equivalent yield (SGEY) 34.83 t ha-1 was obtained from T4. The maximum gross return (Tk. 278640 ha-1), gross margin (Tk. 180384 ha-1), BCR (2.85) and LER (1.40) were also observed from T4 and the lowest in sole cauliflower (T7). The overall results revealed that among the intercrop combinations 100% Sweet gourd+4 rows cauliflower 50% (50 cm × 50 cm) (T4) followed by 100% Sweet gourd + 3 rows cauliflower 37.5% (60 cm × 50 cm) (T2) combinations could be profitable combinations for cauliflower with sweet gourd intercropping system.
 Bangladesh Agron. J. 2022, 25(1): 129-138

Toxicity of Chemical Insecticides and Neem Oil on Cucurbit Fruit Fly Bactrocera cucurbitae

Background: The popular vegetable sweet gourd (Cucurbita moschata) is cultivated throughout Bangladesh. However, its yield is low owing to the severe infestation by fruit fly Bactrocera cucurbitae. This study investigated the toxicity of chemical insecticides and neem oil on fruit flies infesting sweet gourd. Methods: The repellency of adult fruit flies and larvae and the body weight and mortality of the larvae of the fruit fly were evaluated using three chemical insecticides- Karate 2.5 EC (cyhalothrin), Ripcord 10 EC (cypermethrin) and Shobicron 425 EC (profenofos Q+cypermethrin) and neem oil (azadirachtin). Result: The repellency rate of the fruit fly larvae varied from 20.0±0.0 to 86.7±6.7% and that of the adult fly from 13.3±6.7 to 73.3±6.7%; Shobicron 425 EC, at 2000 ppm, exhibited the best results in both the cases. The treatments negatively affected the weight of larvae compared to the control, where Shobicron 425 EC caused the lowest weight (7.8±0.2 mg). The insecticides at 24, 48 and 72 h after treatment demonstrated toxic effects on the larvae, where the LC50 values ranged from 742.5 (550.4-1060.5) to 2476.3 (2150.6-2954.7) ppm at 72 h after treatment. On the whole, Shobicron 425 EC demonstrated better efficacy than the other insecticides against fruit flies.

Osmotic and convective hot air drying of sweet gourd.

Kinetics of osmotic dehydration (OD) and insights into the effect of salt concentration (5%, 10%, 15%, 20%), drying temperature (50 C, 60 C, 70 C), and sample thickness (4mm, 6mm, 8mm) on the drying kinetics of sweet gourd of two varieties (SGV-1 and SGV-2) were investigated based on the Fick's second law of diffusion model. Quality attributes (chemical and organoleptic) of biscuit formulated with osmotic dehydrated sweet gourd powder were assessed. Results showed that, significant changes occurred during the first 2h of process where mass transfer kinetics were increased with increasing salt concentration. With increasing time, drying rate was proportional to the temperature, inversely proportional to the sample thickness as well as salt concentration. Moreover, sweet gourd variety has shown impact on formulated products quality and consumer acceptability which could serve as a ground to diversify the use of sweet gourd towards industrial application. The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s10068-022-01193-x.

ANNUAL AND PERENNIAL SPECIES PREFERENCE IN DIFFERENT CROPPING SYSTEMS IN RAJSHAHI DISTRICT OF BANGLADESH

Different types of annual and perennial crop species have been detected in cropland agroforestry (CAF), homestead agroforestry (HAF) and annual cropping (AC) system in four Upazilas (Bagha, Charghat, Puthia and Tanore) under Rajshahi district of Bangladesh. The objectives of the study were to assess and compare farmer’s preference to different types of annual and perennial species in homestead agroforestry, cropland agroforestry and annual cropping systems, and to find out the financial values of the species among different cropping systems. The sample size was 150 small agroforestry farmers of which 50 were from cropland agroforestry, 50 from homestead agroforestry and 50 from annual cropping system. Banana (BCR = 3.85) was found as the most financially profitable species in AC system in the study area. However, four types of paddy (41% of total preference) were identified as the most preferred species in AC system. Farmers usually grew 25 different annual crop species on their croplands. Blackgram was the most profitable (BCR = 4.02) annual crop species in CAF system. Sugarcane was the most financially profitable species as a crop combination and also as sole crop. For getting quick return farmers grow sissoo in their croplands. Among 19 HAF species, sweet gourd (27%) was the most preferred species (14%) and financially beneficial annual crop. Out of total 21 tree species in HAF system, mahogany was planted by 21% farmers 21%. However, mango was recorded as the most planted and profitable species in respect to the plot number (90%).

Genotypic differences in plant growth responses and ion accumulations to salt stress conditions of sweet gourd (Cucurbita moschata)

The sweet gourd (Cucurbita moschata Duch ex Poir) is a rich source of vitamins and minerals, especially high carotenoids. Due to climate change and intensive water use, soil salinization is increasing day by day. Salt stress decreases the growth and quality of many crops. Thus, the objective of the present study was to monitor the growth and ion accumulation of fourteen sweet gourd inbred. The study was conducted in 2018 with 14 sweet gourd inbreds (P1, P2, P3, P4, P5, P6, P7, P8, P9, P10, P11, P12, P13 and P14) and to identify superior genotypes. Electrical conductivity (EC) based salt was applied at 4, 8, 12 and 16 dS/m NaCl salinity levels for all inbred. Tap water was used as a control. Treatments were imposed at the four to five-leaf stage. Salt stress resulted in significantly decreased growth and essential ion in sweet gourd inbred. Vine length (P11=164.9 to149.5cm, control to 16 dS/m), the number of leaves (P11=31 to 24.33, control to 16 dS/m), internode length (P12=9.67 to 9.83cm, control to 16 dS/m), stem girth (16.38 to 15.87mm, control to 16 dS/m) and K+ ion accumulations were decreased (P6=2.09 to 1.44, control to 16 dS/m) compared to the control. But Na+ ion was increased (P13=0.17 to 1.25, control to 16 dS/m) in all inbred under salt conditions. Sweet gourd inbred showed wide variation in their response to salt tolerance. However, six sweet gourd inbred (P6, P8, P9, P11, P12 and P14) were found as promising as salt-tolerant in respect of growth and ion accumulation. These selected promising salt-tolerant sweet gourd genotypes will be used for breeding programmes to develop high yielding varieties for better production in the near future in saline areas of Bangladesh.

An Economic Assessment of Production and Marketing of Winter Vegetables in Selected Char Areas of Mymensingh District

The aim of the present study was to examine the cost and return of selected winter vegetables (bitter gourd, sweet gourd and brinjal). The main objective of the study was to find out the marketing costs and margins at different marketing stages through examining the marketing system. Primary data on production and marketing costs and problems of 30 vegetables producers and 30 vegetables traders were collected by face-to-face interview method. For estimating profitability and marketing margins, mainly descriptive statistics were used in this study. Results revealed that among these three vegetables, per acre total cost of production was highest for brinjal and lowest for sweet gourd. On an average, Benefit cost ratio (BCR) was highest for brinjal (2.65) and lowest for sweet gourd (1.28). This indicates that brinjal was the most profitable vegetables in selected char areas. On the other hand, four different channels were identified in vegetables marketing system. However, the net marketing margin was highest for retailers in channel 4 for sweet gourd and lowest for faria for bitter gourd. The producers share in consumer taka was highest i.e., 65.48 percent for bitter gourd in channel 4 and price spread was lower in the same. The study also found out some production and marketing problems and constraint faced by winter vegetables producers and traders. Among them lack of capital, higher transportation cost, lack of training facilities, lack of market information, price instability etc. were main. The study also suggested some necessary measures to reduce these problems, one of which is transportation cost would be reduced by constructing a bridge over the river Brahmaputra. The bridge would also be the solution of the backwardness of char Iswardia and char Nilakshmia.

Physico-chemical leaf attributes of sweet gourd influence the infestation of red pumpkin beetle

The study was conducted to explore the effects of leaf morphological and biochemical properties of twelve sweet gourd genotypes viz., BD 264, BD 265, BD 266, BD 268, BD 269, BD 274, BD 275, BD 277, BARI Mistikumra 1, BARI Mistikumra 2, Gazipur local line, and China line, on the abundance and infestation of red pumpkin beetle. The abundance of red pumpkin beetle with its different leaf infestation levels on the genotypes was observed and then correlated with leaf physico-chemical characteristics of each genotype. The genotypes of sweet gourd showed statistically significant variations in their morphological and biochemical characteristics of leaves. The genotypes having the higher leaf area, adaxial and abaxial leaf trichomes tended to be less infested by red pumpkin beetle. On the other hand, the abundance of the insect showed positive correlation with the number of leaf per plant. All the biochemical properties of sweet gourd leaf except reducing sugar had positive impact on the abundance of red pumpkin beetle.

ENHANCEMENT OF SWEET GOURD SEEDLING QUALITIES PRIMING WITH H2O2

A study with three independent experiments for the seeds of three vegetable species was set at the roof top of Sunway Dormitory near the Bus Terminal, Dinajpur, Bangladesh, during March to May, 2019. The aims were to evaluate the physiological fluctuations in the seeds of sweet gourd cv. Monitaraprimed with the aqueous solutions of H2O2 and to find the suitable concentration. Each experiment had eight treatments: T1 (control/no priming), T2 (hydro-priming in plain H2O) and other six aquatic solutions of H2O2: T3 (0.5), T4 (1.0), T5 (1.5), T6 (2.0), T7 (2.5) and T8 (3.0%). The seeds were soaked for six hours in those seven media (T2 toT8). The seeds were dibbled in wooden seed flats filled-in with coarse sand. The experiments were laid-out in the Randomized Complete Block Design with three replications. Data collected for the 13 traits viz. % germination, % abnormal seedlings, shoot length, root length, seedling length, shoot dry matter, root dry matter, seedling dry matter, number of secondary roots (>1cm) per seedling, number of true leaves per seedling, relative growth rate, seedling vigor index, and root : shoot ratio (dry weight basis). Except the first two traits, the rest 11 were collected at three stagesviz.10, 20 and 30 days after dibbling (DAD). It was lucid that H2O2 was significantly (P≤0.05%) effective to improve most of the traits noted. Treatment T4 (1% concentration) was utmost helpful for sweet gourd and >1.5%, others were toxic and hindered the maximum parameters for all the three species. Nevertheless, further studies with different varieties of those three vegetables species with variable doses of H2O2, priming time and temperature could be explored before drawing valid conclusions.

PERFORMANCE OF WINTER VEGETABLES CULTIVATION IN MANGO FRUIT TREE BASED AGROFORESTRY SYSTEM

An experiment was conducted at the farmers’ fields of Naovangar char, Bolaier char and Laxmir char under Jamalpur and Sherpur region, Bangladesh. This experiment was also conducted at Regional Agricultural Research Station (RARS), Jamalpur, Bangladesh during the winter season of 2018-2019, 2019-2020 and 2020-2021.The objectives were to evaluate the performance of radish, sweet gourd and mustard leaf cultivation under mango fruit tree based agroforestry system, to increase the production of vegetables by using the fallow land under mango garden and to increase income of the farmers in char areas of Jamalpur and Sherpur. The experiment was laid out in Randomized Complete Block design (RCBD) with 3 replications. Three years experimental results revealed that, at Naovangar char, the highest radish equivalent yield (30.66 t ha-1), gross return (Tk.306600 ha-1), net return (Tk.225600 ha-1) and BCR (3.7) were found from radish cultivation followed by sweet gourd and the lowest from mustard leaf cultivation (17.22 t ha-1, Tk, 172200 ha-1, Tk. 101200 ha-1 and 2.4 respectively). At Bolaier char, the highest radish equivalent yield (30.33 t ha-1), gross return (Tk.303300 ha-1), net return (Tk.219800 ha-1) and BCR (3.6) were found from radish cultivation followed by sweet gourd and the lowest from mustard leaf (17.88 t ha-1, Tk, 178800 ha-1, Tk.106800 ha-1 and 2.4 respectively).At Laxmir char, the highest gross return, net return and BCR also followed the same trend. At RARS, Jamalpur, vegetables production under agroforestry system also followed same pattern. Radish cultivation exhibited remarkably higher radish equivalent yield (32.74 t ha-1), higher gross return (Tk 327400 ha-1), net return (Tk 238400 ha-1) and BCR (3.6). The mustard leaf cultivation recorded the poorest performance regarding the said parameters. Prior to considering the obtained results from the study, it can be concluded that radish cultivation under agroforestry systems are more profitable than other winter vegetables cultivation. So, vegetables radish cultivation under mango fruit tree based agroforestry system might be encouraged in Jamalpur and Sherpur region in Bangladesh.

Economic assessment of maize (Zea mays L.) – Spinach (Basella alba L.) intercropping system for improving the livelihood of smallholders’ in South-Asia

Economic assessment of maize (Zea mays L.) – Spinach (Basella alba L.) intercropping system for improving the livelihood of smallholders’ in South-Asia

Management of saline soil using organic manure and gypsum fertilizer for growing sweet gourd in coastal region of Bangladesh

Management of saline soil using organic manure and gypsum fertilizer for growing sweet gourd in coastal region of Bangladesh

Antioxidant activity and acute toxicity of two Lagenaria siceraria (Molina) Standl. varieties from Sudan

The present study was conducted to evaluate the antioxidant capacity and acute toxicity of the methanol extract of two Lagenaria siceraria (Molina) Standl. varieties of dried seeds, Sweet gourd Water Jug (WJ) and bitter gourd Basket Ball (BB). The seed extracts were tested for their total phenolic contents (TPC), total flavonoid contents (TFC), ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) and scavenging activity to the stable free radical 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH). Both dried seed extracts were then tested for acute toxicity at doses 2 and 5 g kg-1 each. Sixty female and male rats were assigned into five groups per sex. Four groups were given low and high doses of each dried seed extract and the fifth group was given 10 % Tween 20 as a control. Kidneys and livers of all rats were assessed for biochemistry and histopathology. The seed extract of WJ revealed higher TPC, FRAP and DPPH activities compared to BB seeds, while TFC results were reversed. Toxicologically, no toxicity signs were recorded in animals. Biochemistry results were within the normal ranges with a slight increase in bilirubin and Alanine aminotransferase (ALT), and histology of kidneys and livers showed normal architecture. In conclusion, WJ and BB dried seed extracts exhibited high antioxidant activity suggesting promising therapeutic regimen against oxidative stress.

Development of Land Management Technology for Continuous Jhum Cultivation in Hilly Area of Bangladesh

The experiments were conducted in three hill district of Bangladesh i.e. Bandarban, Khagrachari and Rangamati under the Agro Ecological Zone (AEZ) 29 (Northern and Eastern Hills Tract) during March 2018 to November 2019 to study the fertilizers packages, NPK briquette and residual effect of fertilizers for continuous jhum cultivation. In this experiments, jhum crops were used as the test crop. The experiment was designed on Randomized Completely Block Design. The treatments consider as normal fertilizers packages (N60P20K30 S12 kg/ha), NPK briquette (N50P20K30 S12 kg/ha) and residual effect of fertilizers instead of farmers practice. By different fertilizers packages the results showed that the highest yield of Jhum rice was 3.81 tha-1 at Khagrachari, Maize (0.436 tha-1) at Rangamati, Sweet gourd (1.679 tha-1) at Bandarban, Chili (0.348 tha-1) at Khagrachari, Sesame (0.361 tha-1) at Bandarban and Marpha (Cucumis sativus) (0.742 tha-1) at Bandarban over farmers’ practice. Instead of normal fertilizer application, fertilizer NPK briquette was used with the highest yield of rice was 4.18 t ha-1 at Khagrachari, Maize (0.674 tha-1) at Bandarban, Sweet gourd (1.06 tha-1) at Bandarban, Chili (0.514 tha-1) at Khagrachari, Sesame (0.753 tha-1) at Khagrachari and Marpha (0.316 tha-1) at Khagrachari. After cultivation of jhum crops another short duration leguminous crops could be cultivated without fertilizers management. The highest yield of cowpea (1.043 tha-1) was obtained at Bandarban site. Yard long bean and Bean yield was also obtained 1.02 and 1.5 tha-1 respectively.

Effect of Slope Length on the Soil and Nutrients Loss from the Upland (Hill) of Bangladesh on Jhum Crops

The experiments were conducted in the hill district of Bangladesh (CHTs) i.e Bandarban, under the AEZ 29 (Northern and Eastern Hills Tract) during March 2016 to November 2017 to study effect of slope length on the soil and nutrients loss from the upland (hill) of Bangladesh. The experiments were laid out in randomized complete block design (RCBD) with three replications. The treatments for the experiment were: T1 30m slope length, T2 20m slope length, T310m slope length and T45m slope length. The highest soil loss of 50.0 t/ha/yr was recorded in treatment L1 having the slope length of 30 m and the plot size 150 m2 (30 m × 5 m). The lowest soil erosion was noted (4.75 t/ha/yr) for L4 treatment with the 5m slope length having area coverage area of 25 m2. The amount of soil loss in L2 (20 m length) and L3 treatments (10 m length) were 42.7 and 21.9 t/ha/yr, respectively. Nutrient depletion increased with the increasing lengths of the hilly land along the slope. The highest depletion of OM and plant nutrients were recorded under the maximum slope length of 30 m (L1) being followed by the losses observed in L2 (20 m), L3 (10 m) and L4 (5 m) plots respectively. The maximum losses of OM, total N, P, K, Ca, Mg and S were 2542, 93.1, 0.295, 2.73, 35.2, 20.6, and 1.34 kg/ha/yr, respectively for L1 (30 m) plot. Slope length created a very positive impact on yield of Jhum rice. The maximum yield of Jhum rice was produced under 30m slope length (2.25 t/ha). Slope length had considerable influence on the performance of Jhum crops like sweet gourd, marpha, maize, white gourd and cowpea.

Native Insect Pollinators and Their Effect on Sweet Gourd Production

The study was conducted in the field laboratory of the Department of Entomology, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Agricultural University, Gazipur, Bangladesh during September 2016 to June 2017 to know the insect pollinators of sweet gourd, their behavior and their role on sweet gourd yield and seed quality. The study showed that ten species of insects belong to seven families in three orders (Lepidoptera, Diptera and Hymenoptera) were found as pollinator. The abundance of the pollinator species ranged from 0.1±0.1 to 2.2±0.3 per 30 sweeps. The cabbage butter fly and ant showed statistically similar and higher abundance compared to other insect pollinators. The foraging durations of the frequently abundant pollinators ranged from 16.8 ± 2.2 to 36.6 ± 4.4 S per flower and ant spent the longest duration. Insect pollination showed the highest number of fruit plant-1, yield ha-1 and seed fruit-1 both in winter and summer season compared to natural and hand pollination. Production of fruit, seed set and yield of insect pollinating plot in winter and summer seasons were 6.4 ± 0.3 and 4.8 ± 0.2 plant-1, 84.8 ± 2.7 and 62.6 ± 1.0 fruit-1, and 18.5 ± 0.8 and 16.7 ± 0.7 t ha-1, respectively. The findings indicated that the native insect pollinators increased the production of fruit, seed and yield of sweet gourd. Conserving and enhancing native insect pollinators may boost sweet gourd production in Bangladesh.
 Ann. Bangladesh Agric. (2019) 23(1) : 63-68

Incidence of major insect pests on sweet gourd germplasm

Abundance of the major insect pests viz., red pumpkin beetle, epilachna beetle and fruit fly on twelve sweet gourd germplasms namely BD 264, BD 265, BD 266, BD 268, BD 269, BD 274, BD 275, BD 277, BARI Mistikumra 1, BARI Mistikumra 2, Gazipur Local Line and China line was studied in the experimental field of the Department of Entomology, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Agricultural University, Gazipur, Bangladesh during July 2018 to June 2019. The mean number of red pumpkin was the highest (2.3 adults/ 3 leaves) during 4th week of December and the lowest (0.7 adults/ 3 leaves) during 4th week of March. The mean number of grub (6.5 grubs/3 leaves) and adult (2.3 adults/ 3 leaves) of epilachna beetle were the highest during 2nd week of March and 4th week of February, respectively. The mean number of fruit fly was found the lowest (1.0 adults plant-1) during 5th week of January and the highest (2.5 adults plant-1) during 4th week of February. BARI Mistikumra 1, BARI Mistikumra 2 and China Line provided the lowest yield ranged from 4.8 ± 5.3 to 7.4 ± 0.5 t ha-1 and the remaining germplasms showed statistically similar yield.
 Bangladesh J. Agril. Res. 44(4): 621-630, December 2019

RELAY INTERCROPPING OF DIFFERENT GOURDS WITH BRINJAL IN CHARLAND AREA

A field experiment was conducted to find out the suitable combination of relay intercropping of different gourds with brinjal for higher productivity and economic return at the Regional Agricultural Research Station, Jamalpur during rabi and kharif 2017-2018 and 2018-2019. The experiment was laid out in randomized complete block design (RCBD) with three replications and seven treatments. The treatments were T1= Sole brinjal, T2= Brinjal + relay sweet gourd, T3= Brinjal + relay ridge gourd, T4= Brinjal + relay bitter gourd, T5= Brinjal+ relay sponge gourd, T6= Brinjal + relay snake gourd, T7= Brinjal + relay ash gourd. Highest brinjal yield was observed in relaying snake gourd and sweet gourd combination (Y1 and Y2) which was statistically similar to sole brinjal and brinjal + relay ash gourd combination.