ABSTRACT
Stuffing cucumber, a member of the Curcubitaceae family, is a tropical herbaceous climbing plant, which is often grown as a vegetable in Indian hills, commonly in Manali and Sikkim. It is used as a substitute of cucumber and is a popular vegetable in the Andes region. Stuffing cucumber fruits are a good source of carbohydrates, calcium, phosphorous, vitamin A, vitamin C and a fair source of protein, iron, thiamine, riboflavin and niacin. A tea prepared from its seeds is used for controlling high blood pressure. Like other cucurbits, stuffing cucumber thrives well on a variety of soils but prefers well drained sandy loam soil rich in organic matter. Generally, stuffing cucumber is propagated by seeds. Direct seeding is the most common method used for its propagation. Fruit fly is the most destructive and polyphagous pest of stuffing cucumber. Its maggots feed inside the fruits and adult fly punctures the tender fruit and lays eggs below the epidermis.
