Arka Bahar
An ICAR-IIHR (Bengaluru) open-pollinated variety with straight, medium-long, light green fruit of about 1 kg, a strong vine and wide adaptability — one of the most planted lauki varieties in the south and centre.
Quick facts
- Type
- Open-pollinated
- Season
- Zaid / summer
- Maturity period
- First pick ~60–65 days
- Expected yield
- 40–45 t/ha
- Suitable soil
- Loam
- Release
- Released by ICAR-Indian Institute of Horticultural Research (IIHR), Bengaluru
About this variety
Arka Bahar is an open-pollinated bottle gourd from ICAR-IIHR, Bengaluru, with straight, medium-long, light green fruit of about 1 kg on a strong, widely adapted vine. It is one of the most planted lauki varieties in the southern and central states and, being open-pollinated, is a favourite of growers who save their own seed. It carries useful general field tolerance to the common leaf diseases.
Key characteristics
Yield & maturity
Maturity period
First pick ~60–65 days
Expected yield
40–45 t/ha
Actual yield depends on sowing time, soil, irrigation, weather, seed quality and crop management.
Pest & disease considerations
Major diseases
- Field-tolerant; open-pollinated so seed can be saved
Advantages & considerations
Why farmers may choose it
- Straight, medium-long, ~1 kg light green fruit on a strong vine
- Widely adapted across the southern and central plains
- Open-pollinated — a favourite of seed-saving growers; general field tolerance to leaf diseases
Things to consider
- Yields below a well-managed hybrid bower crop
- The melon fruit fly still needs a full trap-and-bait programme from first flower
Suitable regions
States this variety is recommended for — check locally, since a state can have more than one recommended zone.
- Karnataka
- Maharashtra
- Andhra Pradesh
- Madhya Pradesh