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Ash Gourd (Petha/Kumbh)All seasonsOpen-pollinatedUpdated 6 September 2026

Indu

A Kerala Agricultural University release, known in southern growing tracts for high yield and substantial flesh thickness, well suited to Kerala's warm, humid growing conditions.

SeasonAll seasons
Maturity periodComparable to other open-pollinated varieties (~110–130 days)
Expected yieldHigh; specific figure not consistently documented
Suitable soilLoam

Quick facts

Crop
Ash Gourd (Petha/Kumbh)
Type
Open-pollinated
Season
All seasons
Maturity period
Comparable to other open-pollinated varieties (~110–130 days)
Seed rate
2–2.5 kg/ha for open-pollinated varieties
Expected yield
High; specific figure not consistently documented
Suitable soil
Loam
Release
Released by Kerala Agricultural University (KAU)

About this variety

Indu is an ash gourd variety released by Kerala Agricultural University (KAU), developed and grown mainly within Kerala's warm, humid tropical growing tracts rather than the drier northern plains most other named ash gourd varieties (CO 1, CO 2, Kashi Dhawal, Pusa Ujjwal) were bred for. It is recognised regionally for high yield and substantial flesh thickness, giving good returns for growers in the state. As a Kerala-specific release, it is the variety most likely to be recommended by local horticulture extension for growers within the state, though it is less commonly available or documented outside southern India.

Key characteristics

    Plant typeOpen-pollinated
    MaturityComparable to other open-pollinated varieties (~110–130 days)
    Yield potentialHigh; specific figure not consistently documented
    Disease resistanceNo special resistance widely documented
    SoilLoam
    SeasonAll seasons

Sowing & cultivation

  • Seed rate2–2.5 kg/ha for open-pollinated varieties
  • SpacingPits roughly 2 m between rows, 1–1.5 m within the row

Yield & maturity

Maturity period

Comparable to other open-pollinated varieties (~110–130 days)

Expected yield

High; specific figure not consistently documented

Actual yield depends on sowing time, soil, irrigation, weather, seed quality and crop management.

Pest & disease considerations

Major diseases

  • No special resistance widely documented

Advantages & considerations

Why farmers may choose it

  • Well adapted to Kerala's warm, humid growing conditions specifically.
  • Regionally recognised for high yield and good flesh thickness.

Things to consider

  • Less commonly available or documented outside Kerala and southern India — confirm local seed availability before planning a planting elsewhere.

Suitable regions

States this variety is recommended for — check locally, since a state can have more than one recommended zone.

  • Kerala