F1 Amira 308

Crop Name	Bitter Gourd
Hybrid Name	F1 Amira 308
Segment	Green Long Spiny
Plant Habit	Vigorous vines
Maturity Period	60–65 DAT
Characteristics	• Uniform green long fruits with blunt spines • Fruit length: 25–30 cm • High yielding potential suitable for long duration harvest • Good market acceptance • Suitable for long-distance transportation
Average Fruit Weight	200–250 g
Climate	Warm season crop adapted to a temperature range of 24°–27°C.
Sowing Window	Rainy: June–August, Summer: February–April
Focused Market	All India

Parameter

Description

Scientific Name

Momordica charantia L.

Hybrid

F1 Amira 308

Soil

Sandy to sandy loam and medium black soils rich in organic matter with pH range of 6.5-7.5 is considered as optimum

Land Preparation

The land is ploughed and brought to a fine tilth by 1-2 crosswise ploughing and levelled. Furrows are opened at a distance of 1.5-2.5 m depending on the support system to be adopted.

Spacing

150*60 cm

Climate

It is a warm season crop grown adopted to Temperature range of 24-27°C is considered as optimum for the growth of the vines.

Season

Rainy: June-Aug
Summer: Feb-April

Seed Rate

1.5 to 2.5 kg/Ha

Fertilizers & Manures

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Type	Quantity	Notes
FYM	25 ton/Ha
Nitrogen (N)	200 Kg /Ha	Half the N and entire P & K should be applied before planting. The balance N is given at the time of flowering. Fertilizer is applied in a ring at 6-7 cm from the base of the stem.
Phosphorus (P₂O₅)	25 Kg /Ha
Potassium (K₂O)	100 Kg /Ha
Any special cases		No

Irrigation

Irrigation is given at weekly intervals to keep the moisture well maintained at the root zone, to promote rapid taproot development.

Weed Control

The crop needs 2-3 weeding operations. First weeding 30 days after planting; subsequent weeding at monthly intervals.

Any Special Crop Practices

Bitter gourd being a weak climber needs support for its growth. The plants trailed on the support (bower) continue to give yield for 6-7 months.
In bower system, planting is done at a spacing of 2 x 1.5 m. Furrows are opened at 2 m, irrigation channels at 5-6 m. Wooden poles (3 m) pitched at ends of alternate furrows at 5 m, connected with wires forming a network. Seeds dibbled 1 m apart. Initial vines trailed on ropes till reaching bower. New tendrils are then trailed on the bower.

Diseases

Name of the Disease	Symptoms & Management
Powdery Mildew	This disease is favored by high humidity, white powdery residue primarily on the upper leaf surface. On the lower surface of the leaves circular patches or spots appear. Severely attacked leaves become brown and defoliation Control: Carbendazim (1ml/L) or Karathane (0.5 ml/L), Tebuconazole 50% + Trifloxystrobin 25% @ 0.5 gm/L or Meptyl dinocap @ 0.5 gm/L
Downy Mildew	Downy mildew is caused by the fungus Pseudoperonospora cubensis. It is prevalent in areas of high humidity and disease is first seen as yellow angular spots on the upper surface of the leaves. Under conditions of high humidity, whitish powdery growth appears on the lower surface of the leaves. The disease spreads rapidly killing the plant quickly through rapid defoliation Control: Metalaxyl 4% + Mancozeb 64% @ 2 gm/L, Carbendazim 12% + Mancozeb 64% WP @ 2 gm/L
Mosaic	This virus disease produce small irregular yellowish patches are seen on the leaves. Some leaves show vein clearing in one or two lobes of the leaf and severely infected plants show reduction in leaf size and elongation and/or suppression of one or two lobes. Young developing leaves are completely distorted and malformed with considerable reduction in their size. Some of the leaves show marked reduction in the development of lamina resulting in a shoe- string effect. The virus is transmitted by by aphids.. Control: Acephate 20% SP @ 1 g/L

Pests

Name of the Pest	Symptoms & Management
Fruit Fly	Attack fruits. Reddish dark brown flies with hyaline wings, lay eggs under the skin of the fruits; Maggots feed on the pulp of fruits. Infested fruits start rotting and rendered them unfit for human consumption; Fruits show dark-brown, rotten, circular patches and fall off prematurely Control: Clean cultivation, removal of fallen fruits, deep ploughing, spray baits, 30-35 pheromone traps/Ha
Aphids and White Flies	Colonies of nymphs and adults attack leaves and tender shoots and suck the sap; Leaves curl and dry up. Control: Acephate 75% SP @1.5 g/L, Dimethoate 1.5 ml/L, Imidacloprid 30.5% SC @0.25 ml/L, Diafenthiuron 50% WP @1 gm/L, 30-35 blue sticky traps/Ha
Leaf Cutter	It will damage the leaves by feeding on it Control: Chlorpyrifos 20 EC @ 2 ml/L
Fruit Borer	Adult moth lays eggs inside the fruit by piercing and after hatching the larva will feed on the flesh and cause fruit damage. Control: Clean cultivation, removal of fallen fruits, deep ploughing, spray baits, 30-35 yellow sticky traps/Ha

Harvesting

1st harvesting starts 60-65 days after transplanting, further pickings should be done at an interval of 2-3 days as bitter gourd fruits mature very fast and turn red. Harvesting should be done in the morning hours and the fruits should be stored in shade after harvesting.

Yield

35-45 t/Ha

No description