Assessing the Efficacy of Pesticide in Enhancing Growth and Yield of Bottle Gourd

Abstract

Bottle gourd (Lagenaria siceraria), an important vegetable cultivated globally, is prized for its nutritional benefits. This study investigates the effects of varying concentrations of the pesticide imidacloprid on the growth, yield, and pest infestation levels in bottle gourd during the Zaid season of 2023 at the Horticulture Research Centre, Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel University of Agriculture & Technology, Meerut, U.P., India. A randomized block design was employed with three treatment levels of imidacloprid (0.02%, 0.04%, and 0.06%) compared to a control group with no pesticide application. Key growth parameters, including vine length, internode length, number of nodes and leaves, fruit attributes, yield, and pest damage, were recorded. Analysis of variance revealed significant differences in most traits, with the highest imidacloprid concentration resulting in the best growth and yield performance while significantly reducing pest infestation levels. The study underscores the necessity of integrated pest management strategies to optimize bottle gourd production while minimizing the negative environmental impacts associated with pesticide use. These findings provide valuable insights for farmers and policy makers aiming to enhance agricultural productivity sustainably.