Performance of Different Varieties of Sponge Gourd (Luffa cylindrica L.) in Terms of Growth, Yield and Quality under Prayagraj Agro Climatic Condition

The current study was conducted in the Zaid season of 2023–2024 at the horticulture department of the Naini Agricultural Institute Sam Higginbottom University of Agricultural Technology and Sciences in Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh, in order to assess the performance of various sponge gourd varieties in terms of growth, yield, and quality under the agroclimatic conditions of Prayagraj. To evaluate the varietals of sponge gourds, the experiment was set up using a Randomized Block Design (RBD) with 8 types and 3 replications. AVT-2/2020/SPGVAR-1, V2 (AVT-2/2020/SPGVAR-2), V3 (AVT-2/2020/SPGVAR-3), V4 (AVT-2/2020/SPGVAR-4), V5 (AVT-2/2020/SPGVAR -5), V6 (AVT-2/2020/SPGVAR -6), V7 (AVT-2/2020 / SPGVAR-7) and V8 (PUSA CHIKNI) are the varieties that make up this group. The variety AVT-2/2020/SPGVAR-5 was found to perform the best among the others in terms of growth metrics such as vine length (189.14 cm) and early maturity (55.33 days) for ripeness (the first fruit should be picked in 55.33 days), as well as yield characteristics such fruit length (28.98 cm), fruit diameter (3.70 cm), and fruit output per hectare (11.64 t/ha). The best results were also shown for the quality metrics TSS (3.14°Brix) and ascorbic acid content (10.66 mg/100g) in AVT-2/2020/SPGVAR-5.