STANDARDIZATION OF MATURITY INDICES OF SPINE GOURD

Authors:	J.P. Mili, B.C. Deka, L. Saikia
Keywords:	Spine gourd, maturity indices, dry weight, respiration, chlorophyll
Abstract: Spine gourd (Momordica dioica Roxb.) is a minor crop and a number of types are available in India. Two/three types of this vegetable are commercially grown in some districts of the state. Off late, this vegetable becomes popular in the metropolis like Delhi and some traders have already started marketing this vegetable. The crop however, does not remain fresh more than 2 days and gets shriveled within 2-3 days. Moreover, the farmers harvest the produce either at immature stage or at a stage which is not acceptable to the consumers. A study was conducted to standardize the harvest maturity of this crop. Experimental findings revealed that the colour of the pedicel, pericarp and spine remained green till 12-13 days after flowering (DAF) and thereafter the colour changes. The highest specific gravity was found when the spine gourd was harvested on 14 DAF and thereafter it decreased. Variation in respiration and chlorophyll content was also observed at different stages of maturity. Pedicel colour, spine colour, respiration rate, chlorophyll content and dry weight may be considered as the suitable maturity indices of spine gourd.
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