Arka Suryamukhi
An ICAR-IIHR (Bengaluru) variety bred with tolerance to fruit fly, the pumpkin crop's most damaging pest, alongside a good, uniform round fruit.
Quick facts
- Crop
- Pumpkin (Kaddu)
- Type
- Open-pollinated
- Season
- Zaid / summer
- Maturity period
- 100–110 days
- Expected yield
- ~340 q/ha
- Suitable soil
- Loam
About this variety
Arka Suryamukhi is an open-pollinated pumpkin variety from ICAR-IIHR, Bengaluru, notable among the varieties on this list for its tolerance to fruit fly — the single most damaging pest of the standing crop across most of India. This does not remove the need for trapping and fruit-collection hygiene, but it does mean the variety holds up better than a fully susceptible one where fruit fly pressure is heavy and season-long. The fruit itself is round, medium to large, and uniform, giving a reliable table-quality harvest under southern growing conditions.
Key characteristics
Yield & maturity
Maturity period
100–110 days
Expected yield
~340 q/ha
Actual yield depends on sowing time, soil, irrigation, weather, seed quality and crop management.
Pest & disease considerations
Major diseases
- Tolerant of fruit fly
Advantages & considerations
Why farmers may choose it
- Tolerant of fruit fly, the crop's most damaging pest across most of India
- Good, uniform round fruit suited to the fresh table market
- Reliable yield (~340 q/ha) under southern growing conditions
Things to consider
- Fruit-fly tolerance reduces but does not remove the need for trapping and fruit hygiene
- No special resistance claimed to mildew or other diseases
Suitable regions
States this variety is recommended for — check locally, since a state can have more than one recommended zone.
- Karnataka
- Tamil Nadu
- Andhra Pradesh