Growth and Yield of Bitter Gourd as Influenced by Inorganic Fertilizers in High Tunnel with Drip Irrigation System

Purpose: Bitter gourd (Momordica charantia L.) is one of the most important crops cultivated in the tunnel. However, its yield and quality are severely deteriorated by practicing non-judicious and untimed application of fertilizers. A study was envisaged to investigate the effect of fertilizer application at specific times on the production of off-season bitter gourd (PALEE F1 hybrid) in high tunnels.Research Method: This study was conducted at the Nuclear Institute for Food and Agriculture (NIFA). The fertilizers (10-15 kg NPK ha-1) were applied at 7, 14, and 21-day intervals starting from crop establishment till mid of July. The study was comprised of four treatments and three replicates and was carried out under a Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD).Findings: The results revealed that the maximum marketable bitter gourd yield (2047 kg/ 250 m2 tunnel) was recorded in the treatment receiving NPK at 10-10-15 kg ha-1 as fertigation at 7-day intervals. Meanwhile, the minimum bitter gourd yield (392 kg/ 250 m2) was recorded in control (no NPK fertilizer applied). Maximum straw yield (44 kg/ 250 m2) and highest N, P & K uptake (7.05, 1.12 & 13.32) kg/ 250 m2 tunnel were recorded in bitter gourd with the NPK application at 7 days intervals.Research Limitations: The crop in tunnels needs optimum vigilance and laborious work. The optimum utilization of technical labor is considered to be a limitation.Originality/ Value: The judicious and well-timed application of a balanced fertilizer regimen may serve as a more effective approach to achieve enhanced crop productivity and quality goals.