Bitter gourd, also known as bitter melon, is a tropical and subtropical vine that belongs to the family Cucurbitaceae. It is grown for its edible fruit, which has a distinctive bitter taste and is widely used in various cuisines.
Botanical name: Momordica charantia
Plant morphology: Bitter gourd is a climbing vine with long, slender stems that can grow up to 5 meters long. The leaves are heart-shaped and about 5-10 cm wide, with 3-7 pointed lobes. The fruit is oblong or cylindrical in shape, and can grow up to 30 cm long. It has a warty exterior and a green, fleshy interior with numerous seeds.
Common names: Bitter gourd (English), Karela (Hindi), Karavila (Sinhala), Pavakka (Malayalam), Hagalkai (Kannada), Korola (Bengali)
Soil and Climatic requirement: Bitter gourd grows best in well-drained, sandy loam soil with a pH of 5.5-6.7. It requires warm and humid climate and grows well in temperatures ranging from 24-35°C. It is a sun-loving plant and requires full exposure to sunlight.
Crop Duration: 90-120 days
Cropping season: Bitter gourd is a warm season crop and can be grown throughout the year in tropical and subtropical regions.
Planting type: Direct sowing or transplanting.
Spacing: For trellis system planting distance of 2m x 2m is ideal with two plants per pit.
Depth of sowing: 2-3 cm
Germination period: 8-10 days
Hours of sunlight required: At least 6-8 hours of direct sunlight is required for proper growth and fruiting.
Watering: Bitter gourd requires regular watering, especially during flowering and fruiting stages. Overwatering should be avoided to prevent waterlogging and rotting of roots.
Companion crops: Okra, tomato, chili pepper, and eggplant.
Harvesting: The fruits are ready for harvesting about 55-60 days after sowing or transplanting. They should be harvested when they are still green and tender, usually about 8-10 cm in length. Mature fruits are very bitter and not suitable for consumption.
Problems of Bitter gourd cultivation:
Pests: Aphids, whiteflies, mites, fruit flies, and leafhoppers.
Diseases: Powdery mildew, bacterial wilt, downy mildew, and mosaic virus.
