Introduction
Botanical Name is: Memordica charantia L. and local name is Karela – Hindi; Karli – Gujrati & Marathi, Paval, Kakara-Telugu. Bitter Gourd also knows as Bitter melon on other part of the world. Bittergourd is one of the most popular vegetable in India. It is grown extensively throughout India; the bitter gourd has good medicinal value as well.
Climatic Condition
Mainly a warm season plant, bitter gourd thrives in hot and humid climates.
Suitable Soil
The best medium for the seeds is a fertile, well-drained soil with a pH ranging from 5.5 to 6.7, enriched with organic matter, such as compost or dried manure. But it will tolerate any soil that provide a good drainage system (sandy loam soil, but it will grow in areas with poorer soils.) It should be in a frost-free area and will prefer the climate with daytime temperatures between 24 C and 35 C. The soil must be prepared well by adding organic matter before planting. Seeds soaked in water will germinate sooner. Soil temperature for germination is at least 20 C to 25 C.
Propagation of Bitter Gourd Farming
Propagation is through direct seeding and transplanting.
Land Preparation
Plough the field to fine tilth and dig pits of 30 cm x 30 cm x 30 cm size at 2 x 1.5 m spacing and form basins.
Seed Rate & Sowing Time
The seed is sown from January to March for summer season crop, June-July for rainy season crop in the plains and March to June in the hills. The seed rate is 4 to 5 kg/ha.
Method of Sowing
The seed is sown by dibbling method at a spacing of 120×90 cm. Generally three to four seeds are sown in a pit at 2.5 to 3.0 cm depth. The seeds are soaked in wate over night before sowing for better germination. Seed germination was enhanced by soaking the seeds for 24 hours in solution of 25 to 50 ppm GA and 25 ppm boron. In flatbed layout seeds are dibbled at the spacing 1 x 1 m.
Irrigation/Water supply
Irrigate the basins before dibbling the seeds and thereafter once a week.Install drip system with main and sub-main pipes and place the inline lateral tubes at an interval of 1.5m. Place the drippers in lateral tubes at an interval of 60 cm and 50 cm spacing with 4LPH and 3.5 LPH capacities respectively.
Application of manures and fertilizers
Apply 10 kg of FYM per pit (20 t/ha) 100 g of NPK 6:12:12/pit as basal and 10 g of N/pit 30 days after sowing.Apply Azospirillum and Phosphobacteria 2 kg/ha and Pseudomonas @ 2.5 kg/ha along with FYM 50 kg and neem cake @ 100 kg before last ploughing.
Weed control
After cultivation Hoeing is done thrice to control weeds. Provide stakes to reach the pandal (2 m). Spray Ethrel 100 ppm (1 ml dissolved in 10 lit of water) four times from 15th day after sowing at weekly intervals.
Harvesting and Yield
Harvesting is done when the fruits are still young and tender at every alternate day. Picking should be done carefully so that the vine may not be damaged. The fruits should not be allowed to mature on the vines. The harvested fruits may be stored for 3 to 4 days in-cool condition. The yield is 60 to 100 quintal/ha.