Rajendra Parwal-1

Rajendra Parwal-1 is a clonal selection of pointed gourd developed at Dr Rajendra Prasad Central Agricultural University (RPCAU), Pusa, Bihar, bred specifically for the eastern Gangetic plain conditions common across the state. Its fruit is light green, and the vine is a heavy bearer once established — a straightforward, regionally proven choice for Bihar growers, developed through vegetative (clonal) selection rather than seed breeding, consistent with how all pointed gourd is propagated. As with every pointed gourd planting, male cuttings of a compatible vine must be interplanted with this fruiting (female) stock for pollination, since the crop is dioecious.

Plant typeVine/root cutting
MaturityFirst harvest ~3–4 months after planting
Yield potential20–25 t/ha
Disease resistanceNo special resistance widely documented
SoilLoam
SeasonAll seasons

• Seed rateVegetatively propagated — about 2,000–2,500 cuttings/ha, roughly 10% male cuttings interplanted for pollination
• SpacingPits 2–3 m apart on an overhead bower

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

• Bihar

• Swarna Alaukik

  Released by ICAR Research Complex for Eastern Region, Ranchi. Light greenish, unstriped, elongated fruit with soft flesh and soft seeds, suited to both table use and sweet preparations, on a heavy-bearing vine.

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• Swarna Rekha

  Also from ICAR RCER, Ranchi. Elongated green fruit with distinct light stripes, soft seeds and good shelf life, widely grown across the eastern belt from Bihar and Jharkhand to West Bengal and eastern Uttar Pradesh.

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• Swarna Suruchi

  A third ICAR RCER, Ranchi release alongside Swarna Alaukik and Swarna Rekha — light greenish, unstriped fruit with soft flesh and seeds, bred for heavy yield and good eating and processing quality.

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• Rajendra Parwal-2

  A later, high-yielding clonal release from the same Bihar university, distributed to farmers as part of state high-value horticulture programmes. Small, light-green fruit (about 25–30 g each) borne heavily — 150–175 fruit per vine.

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• Faizabad Parwal-1

  Released by Narendra Deva University of Agriculture and Technology (NDUAT), Faizabad, for Uttar Pradesh and adjoining Bihar. Attractive, round, green fruit on a well-established commercial variety across the region.

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• Faizabad Parwal-4

  Also from NDUAT, Faizabad. Light-green, spindle-shaped fruit with tapering ends, specifically recommended for bower (pole) cultivation and noted for tolerating reclaimed sodic soils better than most named varieties.

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