Journal of Applied Horticulture. 2002: 4(2): 90-92

Performance of bitter gourd raised through transplanting of polyhouse-grown seedlings and direct seeding on different dates

Joshi, N C; Srivastava, B K

Department of Vegetable Science, G.B. Pant University of Agriculture and Technology, Pantnagar - 263 145, Uttaranchal, India.

The performance of bitter gourd (Momordica charantia cv. Jaunpuri Local) grown by direct sowing or transplanting at 15 January, 29 January, 12 February, 26 February or 12 March was evaluated in Pantnagar, Uttaranchal, India during the spring-summer season of 2000. Seeds sown directly in the open field on 15 and 29 January failed to germinate. For the other dates, seed germination was observed at 15.0 to 19.3 days after sowing. Main shoot length, number of branches arising from the main shoot, and internode length increased with the delay in transplanting. Greater shoot length was obtained under transplanting. The diameter of the main shoot decreased with the delay in direct sowing or transplanting. Flower emergence was earliest with transplanting on 26 February. In general, pistillate flowers emerged at 5-15 days after the emergence of staminate flowers. The formation of flowers on the lower nodes was more pronounced under transplanting. The lowest male flower position was obtained with transplanting on 12 March. Transplanting on 12 March, 12 February and 26 February, and direct sowing on 12 March gave the lowest number of days to first harvest. The highest number of fruits per plant and fruit yield were obtained with transplanting on 29 January and direct sowing on 12 March. The average fruit weight was greatest with transplanting on 12 26 February, and direct sowing on February 26. Transplanting on 29 January had favourable effects on the diameter of the main shoot, position of pistillate flowers, number of female flowers per plant up to the 15th node, and number and weight of fruits per plant.