BITTER GOURD

Another name of Bitter gourd is “bitter melon”and is also known as “Karela” in Hindi.The botanical name of bitter gourd is another name of Bitter gourd is “bitter melon” and is also known as “Karela” in Hindi. The botanical name of bitter gourd is Memordica charantia and it belongs to the family of “Cucurbitaceae”. It is popularly known for its medicinal, nutritional and other excellent health benefits. Because of its high demand in the market, bitter gourd farming is very popular now a day. Bitter gourd is mainly used for making juice and for culinary purpose. It is a rich source of Vitamin B1, B2 and B3, C, beta-carotene, zinc, iron, phosphorus, potassium, manganese, folate and calcium. It has health benefits such as it helps in preventing blood disorders, detoxifies blood and liver, boosts immune system and helps in weight control. 

Ananthapur, Guntur, Kadapa, Karimnagar, Krishna, Mahbubnagar, Medak, Nalgonda, Nizamabad, Prakasam, Rangareddy, Vizianagaram, Warangal and east Godavari are major bitter gourd growing areas of Andhra Pradesh.

 Sandy loam soil which is rich in organic content and has good drainage property is ideal for the bitter gourd cultivation. The pH of the soil ranging from 6.5-7.5 is best for bitter gourd farming. 

Pusa Do Mousami: Suitable for summer as well as kharif season. Fruits are medium, long and green. Ready for first picking in 55days after sowing. It gives an average yield of 48-50qtl/acre.

Coimbatore long: Long, green variety. Ready to harvest in 120days. Gives average yield of 32-40qtl/acre.

ArkaHarit: Fruits are shiny green. Ready to harvest in 120days after sowing. Fruits with less seed and with less bitterness. Gives average yield of 52qtl/acre.

VK 1-Priya: Its fruits are extra-long, ready to harvest in 61 days after sowing. Heavy bearing variety.

PusaVishesh: Dwarf variety. Fruits are medium long with thick skin. Suitable for vegetable and pickle purpose. Gives average yield of 48-52qtl/acre.

MBTH 101: Ready to harvest in 55days. Fruits are 18-20cm long. Dark color fruits with 40-50qtl/acre.

MBTH 102: Ready to harvest in 50-60days. Fruits are 18-20cm long. Dark color fruits with 48-56qtl/acre.

Other state varieties:

Phule Green gold: Green color, 25-30cm long fruits. Gives average yield of 90qtl/acre.  

Hirakani: Fruits are 15 to 20cm long. Gives average yield of 50qtl/acre.

Phule Priyanka: Hybrid variety having 20-25cm long fruits. Fruits are dark green in color. Gives average yield of 80qtl/acre.

Phule Ujwala: Suitable for export having 18-20cm long.

Kokan Tara: Fruits are dark green and 15cm long. Gives average yield of 60-80qtl/acre.

Priya: Fruits are near about 40cm long. Ready for first picking in 60days after sowing. 

Pusa Hybrid 2: Minimum long, thick and glossy green fruits.

Kashi Urvashi: Fruits are straight and green color. Ready for first picking in 60days after sowing. Gives average yield of 120qtl/acre.

NS 1018: Short, spindle shape, dark green color fruits. Ready for first picking in 45-50days after sowing. Gives average yield of 80-100qtl/acre.

NS 1020: High yielding hybrid suitable for long transport. Gives average yield of 85 to 105qtl/acre.

NS 461: Gives average yield of 70-80qtl/acre.

Green crocodile: Ready to first picking in 60 to 65days after transplanting. Resistant to downey and powdery mildew. Gives average yield of 72 to 88qtl/acre.

Kashi Harit: Fruits are dark green. Ready for first harvest in 50days after sowing. Gives average yield of 120qtl/acre.

Pant Karela 1: Fruits are thick. Ready to harvest in 55days. Gives average yield of 60qtl/acre.

Pant Karela 2 and Pant Karela 3

CO 1:The variety has medium sized fruit which are long and dark green in color. The fruits have an average weight of 100-120gm. It gives an average yield of 5.8t/acre and the variety matures in 115 days. 

MDU 1:The fruit are 30-40cm in length and matures in 120-130 days. It gives an average yield of 13-14t/acre.

Punjab Kareli-1: Released in 2009. The variety has green leaves which are smooth and serrated. They bear long fruits which are thin and green in color. First fruit harvesting is done after 66 days. The fruits have an average weight of 50gm and it gives an average yield of 50qtl/acre of fruit. 

Punjab-14: Released in 1985. The plant has small vines. The fruits have an average weight of 35gm and are light green in color. The variety is suitable for sowing during rainy or spring season. It gives an average yield of 50qtl/acre. 

Mahico White Long: Ready to harvest in 75-80days. Fruits are white color, medium thick. Fruits are 9-12inch long.

Mahico Green long: Fruits are dark green color with lighter toward both end. Ready to harvest in 75-80days. Fruits are 9-12inch long.

For bitter gourd farming, well prepared land is required. To bring the soil to fine tilth, 2-3 ploughings should be done followed by weeding. 

Time of sowing:

Seed rate:

For sowing of one acre land, use seed rate of 900-1300gm.

Seed treatment:

Before sowing, seeds are soaked in 25-50ppm Gibberelic acid and 25ppm boron for 24 hours. 

Nutrient Requirement (kg/acre)

Fertilizer Requirement (kg/acre)

At fruit development stage, avoid water stress. Also, unevenness in irrigation leads to mis-shaped fruits.

Intercultural operations are carried out for weed control. To control the weeds, 2-3 hoeing’s should be done in initial stage of plant growth. Weeding operations should be carried out in the soil at the time of fertilizer application and mainly earthing up is done during rainy season.

• Diseases and their control:

Powdery mildew: The symptoms are appearance of white powdery spots on upper surface of leaves which causes leaf withering.

Spraying of Carbendazim@3gm /ltr is done to control the powdery mildew.

Downy mildew: If infestation is observed spraying of Mancozeb or Chlorothalonil@2gm/ltr is done twice at the interval of 10-12 days.

• Pests and their control:

Aphids: They suck the sap from the leaves resulting in yellowing and drooping of leaves.

Spraying of imidachloprid@0.5ml/ltr is done to control the aphids.

Mites: Thrips results in curling of leaves, leaves become cup shaped or curved upward.

Spraying of Dicofol 18.5% SC@2.5ml/ltr water is done to control mites.

Beetles: The symptoms are damage to flowers, leaves and stems.

Spraying of Malathion 50EC@1ml/ltr is done to control beetles.

Depending upon season and variety the crop is ready to harvest in 55-60 days. Picking of fruit is done after the interval of 2-3 days.Harvest bitter gourd in morning hours. After harvesting, dry them in shade.Never stored bitter gourd with other fruits like banana, pineapple etc.