Effect of sex ratios and harvesting stages on yield attributes of pointed gourd

Abstract

Abstract : Two field experiments were conducted during the cropping seasons of 2010-11 and 2011-12 to find out the suitable sex ratio (male : female) and fruit harvesting stage that result in higher yield of pointed gourd (Trichosanthes dioica Roxb.). The treatments consisted of three sex ratios, such as 1:15, 1:10, and 1:5, and three fruit harvesting stages, such as fruit harvesting at 8 days, 12 days, and 16 days after flower anthesis. The experiment was laid out in a Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) with three replications. Both treatments and their combinations had significant influence on yield and yield attributes of pointed gourd. The sex ratio 1:15 and fruit harvest at 12 days after female flower anthesis singly as well as in combination gave the maximum number of fruits,, weight of fruits per plant, and pulp weight per fruit, and finally produced the highest fruit yield of pointed gourd.