Pointed gourd is provincially known as potol in both of these Bengali-speaking regions. It is a vital summer vegetable in Bangladesh and in West Bengal. It is cultivated and consumed in every part of Bangladesh and West Bengal.The pointed gourd is usually propagated through vine cuttings and root suckers. Seeds are not used in planting because of poor germination and inability to determine the sex of plants before flowering. As a result, crop established from seed may contain 50% nonfruiting male plants.Well-drained sandy loam to clay soil is suitable for cultivation of pointed gourd. The optimum soil PH range of 6.0 to 6.5 is best for its cultivation. This crop does not grow well in heavy soils but in alluvial light soils.Parwal is high in antioxidants, vitamins A and C that help to fight with the free radical molecules responsible for ageing. The seeds present in the pointed gourd help to ease stool and reduce constipation problem. So, this veggie is highly recommended for curing the constipation problem. Parwal contains vitamins A and C, magnesium, copper, fiber, vitamin B2, calcium, iron, sulfur, and potassium.Parwal is native to India and has been cultivated in eastern India for over two thousand years, especially in northeastern Indian states such as Bengal, Assam, and Orissa. Today it is also grown in the southern plains of Nepal, tropical Asia, and Australia, and can be found at fresh local markets and specialty grocers.
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