Effect of pruning on seed quality of sweet gourd (cucurbita moschata)

Abstract

Abstract : A s -dy v: onducted to evaluate the pruning response on seed quality of sweet gol d at io different treatments viz.Tj (Maintaining three secondary vines after pruning), T2 (Maintaining four secondary vines after pruning), T3 (Maintaining five secondary vines after pruning) and T4 (control).Number of seed and moisture content (%) showed insignificant variation among the treatments conducted in sweet gourd. The highest germination percent (90.34 %), viability percent (90.07%) and 1000 seed weight (114.0g) were found in the treatment Tj (3-vine) and the lowest in control treatment, T4 (80.22%, 60.69% and 91.33 g respectively). The highest seed yield per plant (53.59g) and seed yield per ha (178.5 kg) were found in T3 treatment (5vine) which was statistically similar with T2 treatment (4 vine). The lowest yield of seed per plant (38.16g) and per ha (127.2 kg) were found in Tj treatment. In addition, relationship against germination percent with 1000 seed weight and viability percent were found. The percentage of germination increased with the increase in 1000 seed weight and increase in seed viability. Results of pruning revealed that Tj treatment with three vines produced better quality seed and T3 treatment with five vines produced the highest seed yield (178.5 kg/ha)