Vol. 9, Issue 2 (2020)

Author(s):
Pallabi Roy, Abhijit Chetia and Madhumita Goswami

Abstract:
Ash gourd, Benincasa hispida is a cucurbitaceous crop. Ash gourd is also known as Safed Kaddu, white pumpkin, winter melon etc. It is extensively cultivated as sole crop or as a mixed border crop almost all the year round throughout the India. It is fairly rich in minerals and contains little of vitamin B and C. Ash gourd is known for its medicinal values. Because of its low calorie nature, it is ideal for diabetic patients and the people seeking weight control. Root-knot nematode, Meloidogyne incognita is one of the destructive pests of ash gourd. It disrupts the physiology of the plant and arrests the growth of the plant and reduces yield and quality. Histopathological study of the infected roots revealed formation of giant cells, eggs and presence of second stage juveniles inside the roots.