Effect of different rootstocks on yield traits and quality of Bitter gourd (Momordica charantia L.)

The experiment was conducted during 2022-23 to study the effect of grafting technique with different rootstocks on yield, its attributes and quality of bitter gourd (Momordica charantia L.) by comparing grafted bitter gourd plants with non-grafted (intact) plants under field conditions.The bitter gourd cultivars, viz., Palee F1 and Green long were grafted onto three cucurbitaceous rootstocks by adopting wedge grafting method.At 15 days old seedlings as bitter gourd scions grafted with pumpkin (Cucurbita moschata) and sponge gourd (Luffa cylindrica) rootstocks.The result revealed that, the grafted plants had better yield and quality than the non-grafted plants (check).Highest number of fruits number (28.02) and fruit yield per vine (3.55 kg/vine) were observed in Palee F 1 scion grafted onto 'pumpkin (Cucurbita moschata) rootstock than other graft combinations and non-grafted plants.Total number of pickings (16.48), number of fruits per vine (22.66), average fruit weight (175.95g), fruit length (23.20 cm) and fruit yield per vine (3.99 kg), in evaluation were also superior in Palee F 1 scion grafted onto 'pumpkin (Cucurbita moschata) rootstock.Grafting has positive influence on fruit yield and quality of bitter gourd as well.Grafting increased 42.61% of fruit yield of bitter gourd in T 5 (pumpkin rootstock with bitter gourd scion hybrid) when compared to that of T 1 (bitter gourd ungrafted hybrid-Palee).With respect to quality traits among different graft combinations, T 5 (pumpkin rootstock with bitter gourd scion hybrid-Palee) showed superior performance for ascorbic acid and T 1 (Bitter gourd ungrafted hybrid-Palee) had maximum iron content.The differences recorded for growth and yield of the tested cultivars might be due to different growth characteristics, graft affinity and compatibility.This evidence indicates that grafting bitter gourd scions onto specific rootstock significantly influences yield without deterioration in the fruit quality.