Two experiments were conducted in order to study the best plant densities of Lagenaria siceraria (Mol.) Standi, known as bottle gourd and used as a tea container, named cuia. The Experiment 1 was conducted in Santa Maria - RS, during 1987-88, and the number of hills per hectare were 2.222; 2.500; 2.666; 3.333 and 4.444. During 1988-89 the Experiment 2 was located in Restinga Seca - RS, 1.111; 2.222; 3.333; 4.444; 5.555 and 6.666 hills per hectare were tested. Both years were evaluated the number of fruits/ha and fruits/hill. The number of knots per plant, the thickness of the hull and the external volume of fruit, on the second year only. The results showed that productivity was not related to the plant densities studied, but the best results were obtained with densities varying of 3.333 to 5.555 hills per hectare. The number of fruits per hill, knots per plant and hull thickness decreased at higher plant densities. At lower densities productivity was compensated by the increasing in number of fruits per hill. Increasings in plant population resulted in lower external volume of the fruits, also.
density; production; bottle gourd; Lagenaria siceraria
