Experimental Farming of Cucurbita moschata Duchesne – An Exotic pumpkin at NBU Medicinal Plant Garden

Abstract

Cucurbita moschata Duchesne (Butter Squash) is a high food value exotic vegetable of Cucurbitaceae with its origin in Columbia, South America. It is widely cultivated in South America, Central America and some of the Asian countries and Australia, and consumed as cooked or raw vegetable. This crop is notably promising with high yield and low cost of production. It is close to Pumpkin (Cucurbita maxima Duchesne) which is largely grown in India, particularly in Bengal as an important vegetable for preparing curries. There is no report of introduction and cultivation of Butter Squash in Bengal. An experimental cultivation plot was set up in the nursery of NBU medicinal plant garden when some seeds were obtained from England for experimental cultivation.