Pusa Early Prolific and Arka Vijay are the common pole and bush varieties, respectively. Pole varieties are sown in pits (three plants per pit) at a spacing of 1.25 x 0.75 m and bush varieties in ridges and furrows at a spacing of 60 x 15 cm. Seeds are to be sown during July-August. The plants are trailed over pandals, trellis or stakes. FYM is applied at the rate of 20 t/ha. N: P2O5: K2O recommendation for the crop is 50:100:50 kg/ha. The leaf caterpillar is a common pest of the crop. It is also affected by Fusarium wilt, collar rot, anthracnose and powdery mildew. Average yield is 6-10 t/ha.