Effects of Plant Growth Regulators on Growth, Quality and Yield of Bitter Gourd (Momordica charantia L.)
Koushal Kumar Naga *
Department of Agriculture (Horticulture), Faculty of Agriculture and Veterinary Sciences, Mewar University, Gangrar, Chittorgarh, Rajasthan – 312901, India.
Champa Lal Regar
Department of Agriculture (Horticulture), Faculty of Agriculture and Veterinary Sciences, Mewar University, Gangrar, Chittorgarh, Rajasthan – 312901, India.
Manohal Lal Meghwal
Department of Agriculture (Horticulture), Faculty of Agriculture and Veterinary Sciences, Mewar University, Gangrar, Chittorgarh, Rajasthan – 312901, India.
Om Prakash Regar
Department of Agriculture (Horticulture), Faculty of Agriculture and Veterinary Sciences, Mewar University, Gangrar, Chittorgarh, Rajasthan – 312901, India.
Neelu Jain
Department of Agriculture (Horticulture), Faculty of Agriculture and Veterinary Sciences, Mewar University, Gangrar, Chittorgarh, Rajasthan – 312901, India.
Kamal Kant Kumawat
Department of Agriculture (Horticulture), Faculty of Agriculture and Veterinary Sciences, Mewar University, Gangrar, Chittorgarh, Rajasthan – 312901, India.
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
A field experiment was conducted during the spring season of 2024–25 at the Research Farm of Mewar University, Chittorgarh (Rajasthan), to evaluate the effects of various plant growth regulators (PGRs) on the growth, yield, and quality of bitter gourd (Momordica charantia L.) cv. Arka Harit. The study comprised ten treatments involving foliar applications of gibberellic acid (GA₃), naphthalene acetic acid (NAA), and methyl jasmonate (MeJA) at varying concentrations, arranged in a Randomized Block Design with three replications. Results revealed that the application of GA₃ at 150 ppm (T3) significantly enhanced vine length (399.10 cm), leaf number (102 at 45 DAS), fruit diameter (3.48 cm), fruit length (14.94 cm), vitamin C content (84.94 mg/100 g), and total soluble solids (3.9 °Brix), along with a high fruit yield (1930 g/plant). However, the combination treatment T4 (NAA 50 ppm + GA₃ 150 ppm) recorded the highest fruit yield per plant (1930 g), while T5 (NAA 100 ppm + GA₃ 100 ppm) showed the highest fruit number per plant (41.22) and iron content (0.260%). Among MeJA treatments, T8 (MeJA 100 ppm) showed better performance compared to the control but was less effective than GA₃ or NAA combinations. The control (T10) consistently recorded the lowest values for all measured parameters. Economic analysis also indicated higher net returns with GA₃ and NAA combinations. Overall, the foliar application of GA₃ at 150 ppm alone or in combination with NAA significantly improved growth, yield, and quality traits of bitter gourd. The treatment T4 (NAA 50 ppm + GA₃ 150 ppm) was concluded to be the most effective for optimizing both yield and quality in bitter gourd cultivation under the studied conditions.
Keywords: Bitter gourd, plant growth regulators, GA₃, NAA, MeJA, yield, quality