Bitter gourd

Scientific name: Momordica charantia
Common name: Karala

Momordica charantia, called bitter gourd is a tropical and subtropical vine of the family Cucurbitaceae, widely grown in Asia, Africa, and the Caribbean for its edible fruit, which is among the most bitter of all fruits. Its many varieties differ substantially in the shape and bitterness of the fruit.

Bitter melon is generally consumed cooked in the green or early yellowing stage. The young shoots and leaves of the bitter melon may also be eaten as greens.

The plant contains several biologically active compounds, chiefly momordicin I and momordicin II, and cucurbitacin B. The plants contains also several bioactive glycosides (including momordin, charantin, charantosides, goyaglycosides, momordicosides) and other terpenoid compounds (including momordicin-28, momordicinin, momordicilin, momordenol, and momordol). It also contains cytotoxic  proteins such as momorcharin and momordin.

Bitter melon is traditionally regarded in Asia as useful for preventing and treating malaria. It can also be used to prevent Cancer and Diabetes.

Production technology of Bitter Gourd
Season: January-March and September- December are the ideal seasons. For the rainfed crop, sowing can be started after the receipt of first few showers during May-June.

Soil: A wide range of soil is suitable under proper management.

Land Preparation: Fine tilth and pits are made for plantation.

Planting method: Seedlings are raised in poly bag and 15-20 days old seedlings are planted in the main field.

Seed rate: 5.0-6.0 kg/ha Spacing: 2.0 m x 2.0 m.

Sowing: Pits of 60 cm diameter and 30-45 cm depth are taken. Well rotten FYM and fertilizers are mixed with topsoil in the pit and seeds are sown @ 4-5 per pit. Unhealthy plants are removed after two weeks and only 3 plants are retained per pit.

Weeding: As and when necessary.

Organic manure: Cow dung/Compost 15000 kg/ha.

Chemical Fertilizer: Urea 180 kg, TSP 180 kg, MP 150 kg, Gypsum 100 kg, Zinc 12 kg, Borax 10 kg per ha respectively.

Special Care for Seed Production:  

• Growth regulators on the yield and quality of bitter gourd seeds: Application of NAA @ 150 ppm and MH (Malic Hydrazide) @ 100 ppm increased number fruits seed yield and quality of bitter gourd.
• Vine pruning and fruit retention on the yield and quality of bitter gourd seeds: For higher yield and quality of bitter gourd seeds, pruning of lower lateral branches with all the fruits retained per plant resulted higher yield of quality seeds.

After cultivation: During the initial stages of growth, irrigate at 3-4 days interval, and alternate days during flowering/fruiting. Irrigation at 15 mm. CPE (approximately at 3 days interval for sandy loam soils) is more economical than irrigating once in two days especially during summer months for water economy. Erect pandals when the plants start vining. Conduct weeding and raking of the soil at the time of fertilizer application. Earthing up is done during rainy season.