Published Paper Details:

Pumpkin (Cucurbita spp.) is an important vegetable crop cultivated across diverse agro-climatic regions for its nutritional, economic, and cultural value. This review outlines the current production and management practices along with emerging trends shaping the future of pumpkin farming. Conventional practices include careful site selection, land preparation, use of high-yielding and disease-resistant varieties, and balanced nutrient application guided by soil testing. Efficient irrigation management, integrated pest and disease control strategies, and effective pollination methods also play key roles in ensuring optimum yield and fruit quality. Post-harvest handling, including proper curing and storage, further contributes to marketability and shelf life. In recent years, innovative and sustainable approaches have begun to influence pumpkin cultivation. The adoption of organic farming, use of bio-fertilizers and bio-pesticides, and the development of improved hybrid varieties are enhancing crop performance while reducing environmental impact. Precision farming tools, such as soil sensors and GPS-guided irrigation systems, are improving input efficiency. Additionally, climate-resilient practices and smart irrigation technologies are becoming essential in adapting to unpredictable weather patterns. Together, these emerging trends present new opportunities to improve productivity, sustainability, and profitability in pumpkin production. This paper highlights both existing methods and future directions to support informed decision-making in the cultivation of pumpkins.