BITTERGOURD CULTIVATION , PRODUCTION TECHNOLOGY OF BITTER GOURD

BITTER GOURD
Scientific name : Momordica charantia L.
Family : Cucurbitaceae
Chromosome number :2n=22
Origin : Tropical Asia (Eastern India and
Southern China)
Common names : Balsam pear, Bitter cucumber

Varieties:-
Pusa Do Mausmi
Pusa Vishesh
CO 1
MDU 1
COBgoH-1
VK 1 Priya
Priyanka(Sel.1010)
Arka Harit
Harkani
Phule Green

1. CULTIVATION of BITTERGOURD By :- ARVIND YADAV . ID. No. – 721. Degree program :- Bsc .( hons ).horticulture Batch :- 2017 Banda University Of Agriculture And Technology , BANDA Arvindy2510@buat721

2. BITTER GOURD Scientific name : Momordica charantia L. Family : Cucurbitaceae Chromosome number :2n=22 Origin : Tropical Asia (Eastern India and Southern China) Common names : Balsam pear, Bitter cucumber

3. Economic importance:- The fruits are rich in iron, vitamin A, B, C and are an inexpensive source of proteins and minerals . It is considered good for curing blood diseases, rheumatism, diabetes and asthma . Bitter gourd leaves are known to act as galactogogs and a powder prepared from the leaves is good for treating ulcers. It has been reported that protein of bitter gourd inhibited growth of immune deficiency virus in human cell cultures.

4. Area and production:- It is widely grown in India, Indonesia, Malaysia and Singapore and extensively grown in China , Japan, South-East Asia, tropical Africa and South America. In India , it is grown in the area of 26004 ha with annual production 162196 tonnes . The area and production are fast increasing and some of the leading states in the country are Uttar Pradesh , Orissa, Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu and Kerala.

5. Varieties:- Pusa Do Mausmi Pusa Vishesh CO 1 MDU 1 COBgoH-1 VK 1 Priya Priyanka (Sel.1010) Arka Harit Harkani Phule Green

6. Climate:- It can be grown under both tropical and sub-tropical climates but warm climate is considered best. At temperature between 25°- 30°C, the growth is normal and yield is high. When the temperature is less than 18°C, the growth is slow leading to poor yield . When temperature is above 36°C there is poor production of female flowers resulting in poor yield. The production of female flowers was increased by low temperature treatment (20°C) under short-day.

7. Soil :- The crop can be grown in all types of soils but sandy loam and silt loam soils are most suitable. The best pH would be 6.5-7.0. For higher production, the soil should be rich in organic manure either proper drainage facility . Preparation of field:- Plough the field for 3-4 times. Apply 20-25 tonnes of farmyard manure at the last ploughing. Season:- In hills , the seed is sown from April to July . In plains , seed is sown from January— March . The second rop is taken in June-July.

8. Sowing :- Four seeds are sown per pit and later two to three seedlings per pit are retained. Instead of sowing in the main field, the seeds can be sown in polythene bags and can be shifted to pits in the main field after 15-20 days ; 4 to 5 kg of seeds is sufficient to sow one hectare. The seeds have to be treated with Thiram @ 2g/kg of seeds. Spacing:- Long channels of 60cm width are formed at a spacing of 2m. Along this channel, pits of 45cm are dug at a spacing of 1.5m.

9. Nutrition:- In the coastal regions of Karnataka N and P at 80: 30kgs/ha alone gave maximum yield of 17.12 tonnes/ha. In coconut gardens of Kerala (partially shaded conditions) maximum fruit set and yield were obtained at NPK 90: 25: 50kgs/ha. In Kerala, application of farmyard manure @ 18 tonnes + NPK 60: 30: 60kg/ha resulted in maximum yield and net returns . Irrigation:- Since bitter gourd is sown both in rainy and summer seasons, rainy season crop normally does not require much watering except during dry spells.

10. Being a shallow rooted vegetable , roots are mostly concentrated at top 60cm soil layer. The crop should be irrigated immediately after planting in summer and subsequently at 2-3 days interval until flowering. Weed control:- The field should be free from weeds throughout cropping season. Glycophosphate at 4.5kg/ha if applied after weed emergence and before sowing, weeds can be effectively controlled .

11. Use of Growth regulators:- Ethrel at 25ppm increases female flowers. GA at 60ppm reduces the ratio of male: female flowers. Seed treatment with B9 at 3-4 ppm for 20 hours gave the highest number of female flowers per plant . Application of growth regulators at 2-4 leaf stage play an important role in expression and sex ratio. MH at 50-150ppm and CCC at 50-100ppm increase female:male ratio and at a high concentration of 200ppm CCC it is reduced.

12. Harvesting:- Immature tender fruits are harvested. The colour of tender fruit is light-green or darkgreen whitish-green depending upon variety. At fully ripe stage the colour of the fruits turns to yellow or orange and for seed purpose the fruits are harvested at this stage . Yield:- The average yield of bitter gourd varies from 100-150 q/ha, while 200-300q/ha of hybrids .

13. Storage:- After harvesting remove all fruits affected with insect pests or diseases and deformed ones . The harvested fruits cannot be kept for long time and to be sent to market as soon as possible. By sprinkling water over the fruits, freshness can be maintained for sometime in the initial stage . Fruits can be packed in polypropylene bag for extended shelflife . Fruits in the basket can be kept for 2-3 days.

14. Thanks for ATTAINTION