The Effect of Organic Fertilizers on Bitter Gourd (Momordica Charantia) Agronomic and Quality Traits

Abstract

This study examines how different organic fertilizers, such as vermicompost, farmyard manure, and biofertilizers, affect the growth, flowering, and yield of bitter gourds (Momordica charantia) in the field during the summer in Sonipat district, Haryana. To evaluate the effects of various combinations of organic and inorganic nutrients on growth metrics such as plant height, leaf count, flower number, fruit number, and fruit length, a Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) comprising six treatments and three replications was used. At 75 days after sowing, treatment T5 (biofertilizer, vermicompost, and farmyard manure) yielded optimal results: 150 cm plant height, 104 leaves, 75 blooms, 35 fruits per plant, and an average fruit length of 7 cm. On the other hand, the control treatment (T0), which was devoid of fertilizer, continuously displayed the lowest results across the board. These results strongly imply that the combined use of organic fertilizers greatly increases the productivity of bitter gourds and can be used as a sustainable farming method to improve soil health and yield. The goal of the current study was to determine whether various organic inputs, such as vermicompost, farmyard manure, and biofertilizers, could improve bitter gourd growth and yield characteristics in the field when used alone or in combination. The objective was to improve soil health and lessen reliance on chemicals in order to advance sustainable agriculture.