Luffa cylindrica (L.) M. Roemer (Sponge Gourd-Niyan wetakolu): An Emerging High Potential Underutilized Cucurbit

Abstract

Luffa cylindrica (L.) M. Roem (Sponge gourd, Niyan wetakolu) is an emerging high potential crop in Asia. In Sri Lanka, it is considered as an underutilized vegetable. Although the crop has been cultivated in both dry and intermediate zones of Sri Lanka for a long time, little information is available on the morphology, floral biology, growth and yield performance of the crop under these conditions. Therefore, this study was carried out to evaluate the growth and yield performances under different trellising methods, floral biology, sponge yield, and pest and disease occurrence of sponge gourd using scientifically accepted methods. Three types of trellising were tested to optimize the final yield. The results revealed that horizontal type trellising is ideal for cultivation of sponge gourd and the average yield was 8.4 t/ha under existing environmental conditions. There were no significant differences in fruit length and diameter among different trellising methods. However, the fruit number differed significantly among those trellising methods. Floral biology, pest and diseases occurrence and ethnobotanical uses of sponge gourds were also documented. These data may provide baseline information for future studies on yield improvement, variety development and subsequent development of agronomic package for cultivation of sponge gourd. It is recommended to repeat this study for another 2-3 seasons, while initiating concurrent studies on fiber quality to exploit industrial and export potential.