Kashi Pragati
An ICAR-IIVR (Varanasi) open-pollinated variety (also sold as VRBT-77) with medium-long green fruit, early and steady bearing, and wide adaptability across the eastern and northern plains for both seasons.
Quick facts
- Type
- Open-pollinated
- Season
- Zaid / summer
- Maturity period
- First pick ~55–60 days
- Expected yield
- 14–18 t/ha
- Suitable soil
- Loam
- Release
- Released by ICAR-Indian Institute of Vegetable Research (IIVR), Varanasi
About this variety
Kashi Pragati (also sold as VRBT-77) is an open-pollinated bitter gourd from ICAR-IIVR, Varanasi. It bears early and steadily over a long picking period, with medium-long green fruit of good market appeal. It is widely adapted across the eastern and northern plains and crops in both the summer and the rainy season. Being open-pollinated, it lets growers save seed, and it carries useful field tolerance to the common leaf spot and mildew diseases.
Key characteristics
Yield & maturity
Maturity period
First pick ~55–60 days
Expected yield
14–18 t/ha
Actual yield depends on sowing time, soil, irrigation, weather, seed quality and crop management.
Pest & disease considerations
Major diseases
Advantages & considerations
Why farmers may choose it
- Early and steady bearing over a long picking period
- Widely adapted across the eastern and northern plains, both seasons
- Field tolerance to leaf spot and mildews; open-pollinated so seed can be saved
Things to consider
- Tolerance is not resistance — the melon fruit fly still needs a full trap-and-bait programme
- Yields below a well-managed hybrid bower crop
Suitable regions
States this variety is recommended for — check locally, since a state can have more than one recommended zone.
- Uttar Pradesh
- Bihar
- Jharkhand
- West Bengal