Gourd Breeding

North Carolina State University began a breeding program on luffa (loofah) sponge gourd (Luffa aegyptiaca or Luffa cylindrica) in 1993.

The objectives of the program were to expand our knowledge of luffa genetics and breeding, collect and evaluate luffa germplasm from around the world, and develop improved breeding lines of luffa sponge gourd for use in North Carolina, the U.S., and areas around the world with similar environments.