BOTTLE GOURD OR LAUKI AGMARK

Grade designations

Grade requirements

Grade tolerances

1

2

3

Extra class

Bottle gourd must be of superior quality. They must be characteristic of the variety and/or commercial type in shape, external appearance, development and colour. They must be free of defects, with the exception of very slight superficial defects provided they do not affect the general appearance of the produce, the quality, the keeping quality and presentation in the package. bottle gourd must be uniform in colour. They must be:

–          well developed;

–          have a typical colour for the variety; and

–          free of defects including all deformations and particularly those caused by seed formation.

5 % by number or weight of bottle gourd                  not

satisfying           the

requirements       of the      grade,      but meeting those of Class I grade or, exceptionally, coming within the tolerances of that grade.

Class -I

Bottle gourd must be of good quality. They must be characteristics of the variety or commercial type in shape.

They must ;

–   reasonably developed; and

–   reasonably well shaped.

Provided that the following do not amount to defect if they do not affect the general appearance of the produce, the quality, the keeping quality and presentation in the package.-

–          a slight deformation, but without seed formation;

–          a slight defect in colour especially the light coloured part of the bottle gourd where it touched the ground during growth;

–          slight skin blemishes due to rubbing and handling or low temperatures not to exceed 5 percent of the total surface area, provided that such blemishes have healed and do not affect the keeping quality.

The defect must not affect the pulp

10 % by number or weight of bottle gourd                  not

satisfying           the

requirements       of the      grade,      but meeting those of Class        II         or, exceptionally, coming within the tolerances of that grade.

Class -II

This class includes bottle gourds which do not qualify for inclusion in the higher classes but satisfy the minimum requirements. Provided that the following do not amount to defect, namely: –

–          deformation other                  than serious seed development;

–          defects in colour up to one-twentieth of the surface;

–          considerable discoloration in the affected part are not allowed;

–          healed cracks not affecting the pulp;

–          slight damage caused by rubbing and handling not exceeding 10 percent of the total surface area, provided which does not seriously affect the keeping quality and appearance.

–          Slight pale colour due to ground touching during growth.

The defects must not affect the flesh.

10 % by number or weight of bottle gourd not satisfying the requirements of the grade, but meeting the minimum requirements.