Bitter Gourd (Karela)
Basic Information
|
Feature |
Details |
|
Botanical Name |
Momordica charantia |
|
Family |
Cucurbitaceae |
|
Origin |
Indo-Burma region |
|
Chromosome Number |
2n = 22 |
|
Edible Part |
Immature tender fruits |
|
Fruit Type |
Pepo |
|
Pollination |
Cross-pollinated, monoecious (M & F flowers separate but on same plant) |
|
Bitter Principle |
Momordicin |
|
Rich in |
Iron and vitamins |
Cultivation Details
|
Parameter |
Recommendations |
|
Sowing Time |
Jan–Feb (NE India), Feb–March (North), June–July (monsoon crop) |
|
Seed Rate |
4–6 kg/ha |
|
Spacing |
1.5–2.0 m (row) × 0.5–0.75 m (plant) |
|
Soil pH |
6.0–7.0 |
|
Temperature Range |
24–30°C optimal; >40°C induces maleness |
|
Irrigation |
Every 6–8 days |
|
Fertilizer |
FYM 20–25 t/ha + 60:30:30 NPK (kg/ha) |
|
Harvesting |
Starts from 60–70 Days After Sowing (DAS) |
|
Pollinating Agents |
Bees and other insects (entomophilous) |
Flowering and Reproductive Traits
- Monoecious Crop: Separate male and female flowers on the same plant.
- Sex Expression Affected By:
- High temperature (>40°C) = ↑ Male flowers
- High nitrogen levels = ↑ Male flowers
- Ethrel (150 ppm) promotes femaleness
- Cross-pollinated via insects; isolation distance: 800 m for hybrid seed production.
Varieties
(A) Selection Varieties
|
Variety Name |
Special Features |
|
Pusa Do Mausami |
Suitable for multiple season cultivation |
|
Coimbatore Long |
Long green fruits |
|
Priyanka |
Popular regional variety |
|
Harkani |
Good fruit quality |
(B) Hybrid Varieties
|
Hybrid Name |
Special Features |
|
Pusa Hybrid-1 |
F₁ hybrid from IARI; vigorous and high-yielding |
|
Phule Green Gold |
Green Long × Delhi Local (Public hybrid) |
|
Pusa Sandesh |
New hybrid with attractive fruit, good keeping quality |
|
Konkan Tara |
Suitable for export markets |
|
Preethi |
Early fruiting hybrid |
|
Pusa Vishesh |
High yield, attractive green fruits |
💡 Important MCQ Points
- Botanical name: Momordica charantia
- Family: Cucurbitaceae
- Origin: Indo-Burma
- Bitter principle: Momordicin
- Pollination type: Cross-pollinated (monoecious)
- Iron-rich fruit: Yes
- Flowering affected by temperature: Yes; ↑40°C → ↑Male flowers
- Pusa Hybrid-1: Hybrid from IARI
- Hybrid for export: Konkan Tara
- Fruits harvested: At immature stage (60–70 DAS)
- Isolation distance for seed production: 800 m
