Evaluation of the Adaptation and Feasibility of Direct-Sown Sponge Gourd ( Luffa cylindrica ) Cultivation in a Subtropical Climate in Mexico

Gregorio Fernández-Lambert, Marieli Lavoignet-Ruiz, Luis Enrique García-Santamaría (), Eduardo Fernández-Echeverría (), Loecelia Ruvalcaba-Sánchez, Areli Brenis-Dzul, Yodaira Borroto-Pentón, Yair Romero-Romero and Juan Manuel Carrión-Delgado
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Gregorio Fernández-Lambert: Laboratorio de Logística y Sustentabilidad en Economías Emergentes, Tecnológico Nacional de México/ITS de Misantla, Km 1.8 Carretera a Loma del Cojolite S/N, Misantla 93850, Mexico
Marieli Lavoignet-Ruiz: Laboratorio de Logística y Sustentabilidad en Economías Emergentes, Tecnológico Nacional de México/ITS de Misantla, Km 1.8 Carretera a Loma del Cojolite S/N, Misantla 93850, Mexico
Luis Enrique García-Santamaría: Laboratorio de Logística y Sustentabilidad en Economías Emergentes, Tecnológico Nacional de México/ITS de Misantla, Km 1.8 Carretera a Loma del Cojolite S/N, Misantla 93850, Mexico
Eduardo Fernández-Echeverría: Tecnológico Nacional de México/ITS de Zacapoaxtla, Carretera a Acuaco, Zacapoaxtla, Km 8 Totoltepec, Zacapoaxtla 73680, Mexico
Loecelia Ruvalcaba-Sánchez: Centro de Investigación en Ciencias de Información Geoespacial, Contoy 137, Col. Lomas de Padierna, Alcaldía Tlalpan, Ciudad de México 14240, Mexico
Areli Brenis-Dzul: Tecnológico Nacional de México/ Instituto Tecnológico de Orizaba, Oriente 9 Num. 852, Col. Emiliano Zapata, Orizaba 94320, México
Yodaira Borroto-Pentón: Laboratorio de Logística y Sustentabilidad en Economías Emergentes, Tecnológico Nacional de México/ITS de Misantla, Km 1.8 Carretera a Loma del Cojolite S/N, Misantla 93850, Mexico
Yair Romero-Romero: Consejo Nacional de Humanidades Ciencias y Tecnologías/Centro de Investigación y Asistencia en Tecnología y Diseño del Estado de Jalisco A.C., Av. Normalistas 800 Colinas de La Normal, Guadalajara 44270, Mexico
Juan Manuel Carrión-Delgado: Tecnológico Nacional de México/ITS de Xalapa, Sección 5A Reserva Territorial S/N, Santa Barbara 91096, Mexico

Agriculture, 2025, vol. 15, issue 3, 1-16

Abstract: This study evaluated the successful establishment of sponge gourds ( Luffa cylindrica ) through direct seeding under open-field conditions in a subtropical climate in Mexico. Three experimental sites, E1, E2, and E3, located in different rural communities with distinct altitudes and soil types (Luvisol and Andosol) were evaluated. E1 was enhanced with an organo-mineral substrate (SOM), while E2 and E3 served as controls without SOM application. Seeds from a single fruit were used for planting following standardized cultivation practices. Each experimental plot contained a total of 10 plants arranged in 10 rows with one plant per row. Yield variables, such as fruit count, length, diameter, weight, and seed quantity, were measured. E-1 exhibited superior growth, yielding 5–20 fruits per plant, with lengths of 9–15 cm, diameters up to 6.2 cm, and weights reaching 370 g, significantly surpassing E-2 and E-3. Kruskal-Wallis tests confirmed significant differences among the plots, indicating that seed germination enhanced by SOM in E-1 promoted improved growth characteristics. The production cost per fruit was $8.40 MXN in E-1, compared to $12.70 in E-2, and $13.60 MXN in E-3. These results support sponge gourds as a viable crop option for small- and medium-scale farmers in subtropical areas, offering both economic and environmental benefits.

Keywords: rural agriculture; direct seeding; loofah; plant-based fiber; sustainability (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: Q1 Q10 Q11 Q12 Q13 Q14 Q15 Q16 Q17 Q18 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025
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