EFFECTS OF GROWTH REGULATOR AND FERTILIZER MANAGEMENT PRACTICES ON THE GROWTH, FLOWERING AND YIELD OF BITTER GOURD (Momordica charantia L.)

Abstract

An experiment was conducted to examine the effect of growth regulator (Ripen-15) and fertilizer management practices on the growth, flowering and yield of bitter gourd (Gaj Corolla) during April to July 2006 at the Horticulture farm of Sher-e-Bangla Agricultural University, Dhaka. Four different concentrations of growth regulator (Ripen-15) viz. H1 (100 ppm), H2 (200 ppm), H3 (300 ppm) with control (No growth regulator) and four different fertilizers; F 1 (Cowdung), F2 (Inorganic fertilizer), F (Cowdung + Inorganic fertilizer) and F0 (Control) were applied in the experiment. All the result of experiment had significant influences on all parameters studied i. e. time to first flower, number of male and female flower per plant, ratio of male/female flower, number of node with first flower, number of branches per plant, number of fruits per plant, length of fruit, diameter of fruit. Maximum number of female flower per plant was obtained from H2 (24.4), F3 (21.2) and F3H2 (26.4) cm). Maximum yield (t/ha) was obtained from H2 (18.1 t), F3 (19.7 t) and F3H2 (22.9 t) followed by F:d 11 (20.6 t).