International Journal of Applied Science - Research and Review Open Access

Effect of Zinc, Iron and Boron on Growth, Yield and Quality of Bitter Gourd (Momordica charantia L.) in Punjab

M. Irfan Ashraf¹, Bakhatawar Liaqat², Kanwal Shahzadi², Shazia Kiran², Laraib Anam², Nazar Hussain¹, M. Bilal Shaukat¹ and Laiba Ahmed^{1* 1}Department of Horticultural Sciences, University of Agriculture, Faisalabad, Pakistan
²Department of Botany, University of Agriculture, Faisalabad, Pakistan
^*Correspondence: Laiba Ahmed, Department of Horticultural Sciences, University of Agriculture, Faisalabad, Pakistan, Email:

Received: 25-Feb-2020, Manuscript No. IPIAS-24-3470; Editor assigned: 28-Feb-2020, Pre QC No. IPIAS-24-3470 (PQ); Reviewed: 13-Mar-2020, QC No. IPIAS-24-3470; Revised: 21-Jun-2024, Manuscript No. IPIAS-24-3470 (R); Published: 19-Jul-2024

Introduction

Bitter gourd (Momordica charantia) is an important vegetable crop which belongs to the family Cucurbitaceae [1]. Bitter gourd belongs to genus Momordica which includes approximately fifty nine species. The highest species diversity is found in Africa and South East Asian countries. Recently it has been found that six species closely related to bitter gourd are found in India, of which four are dioecious and two monoecious in nature. M. balsamina and M. charanta are monoecious, while M. sahyadrica, M. dioica, M. cochhinchinensis and M. subangulata are dioecious. The regional names of bitter gourd are Karela, goo-fash, bitter melon and balsam pear etc. It is used as a tonic, laxative and it is used as emetic in India and Siri Lanka. This family contains many bene icial vegetables and bittergourd is among them. Bittergourd is very important due to its different health bene its [2].

Bitter gourd fruits rank first among the cucurbits due to vitamin C and iron. Its fruit is said to be wormicidal and it is a cure for stomach disorders.

Many vegetables are cultivated in Pakistan. In which bittergourd has a major place due to its highly economic and nutritional values. In most area of Pakistan, bittergourd is generally cultivated in March to checkout September [3]. In Punjab, bittergourd is grow in March-April and a second crop is grown in June-July which is not common practice.

Inadequate irrigation facilities, soil erosion, lack of credit and marketing facilities and improper usage of fertilizers are some reasons of low production of bitter gourd (Momordica charantia L.) in Pakistan. Bitter gourd initiated in India and in 14^th century it was introduced into China. The production of bitter gourd in India is greater than that of other countries as China, Pakistan, Vietnam, Phillipines, Thailand, Sri Lanka, Myanmar, Saudi Arabia, Malaysia, Bangladesh and Nepal. The production of bitter gourd in India is 31% of world, in Pakistan it is 9% and in China it is 22% [4]. According to Provincial Crop Reporting Service Centres in 2017, the total production of bitter gourd is about 66563 tons but in 2018, the total production is about 66942 tons. The yield of bittergourd in 2017 is lesser as compared to yield 2018. In Punjab province, bitter gourd is cultivated on area of about 6670 with production of about 66942 tons.

Micronutrients such as iron, zinc, boron, manganese, etc., have been described to play a vital role in enhancing the growth and development of many horticultural crops. Foliar application of micronutrients to crop plants is gaining popularity in increasing crop yield and quality of improving the shelf life of the produced [5]. Similarly, the effect of micronutrients on growth, development and harvest of bitter gourd are of the supreme importance.

Among micronutrients, zinc occupies a significant place due to its capability to positively affect plant development and growth. Zinc increases seedling vigor, seed-viability and mitigates harms of stresses [6]. Zinc is extremely fixed in soil and its shortage is common in mango, guava, banana, litchi, apple, pomegranate and grape. Little-leaf and rosette symptoms are the most common graphic indicators of Zn deficiency.

Iron is necessary for the biosynthesis of chlorophyll and cytochrome resulting significant increases the growth and yield. Application of micronutrients at proper stage helps in correcting micronutrients deficiency and improves yield and quality of cucumber.

Boron is a micronutrient which is very much effective on bitter gourd production. The micronutrient are elaborate in enzymatic schemes as a cofactors with the exclusion of Mn, Zn, Cu and B. Acting as the ‘electron carriers’ these are accomplished in the enzyme systems and in the plant systems these are accountable for the oxidative-reduction procedures. Boron obtainability reductions with most of the total soil B and the growing pH, becomes unobtainable to the plants at high pH.

This research is performed to see the effect of foliar application of micronutrients (Zn, B and Fe) on growth, yield and quality of bitter gourd.

Materials and Methods

Present experiment was conducted at vegetable research area, institute of horticultural sciences, university of agriculture Faisalabad. Two varieties (Cobra and Parachi) of bittergourd were used in this experiment. Foliar use of zinc, iron and boron were applied on the bittergourd crop. The seed was sowing at 20 December. First spraying was done at 5 February then second spraying at 20 March and third spray was done at 5 May. Different vegetative and reproductive parameters of bitter gourd were studied by following the standard procedures [7]. 4-5 days duration would be maintained as a period between pickings and further quality parameters were analyzed. Rendering to Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) this experiment was performed with three replications and each replication contain 9 plants. The experimentation was put out conferring to Factorial in RCBD. Data were collected and examined statistically and means were associated by using statistix 8.1. LSD test was recycled to associate the change amongst treatment means at 5% possibility stage. Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) test was used to estimate importance of the data.

Results and Discussion

Different concentrations of micronutrients Zn, Fe and B gave greatest outcomes regarding the performance of growth, yield and quality of bitter gourd. Number of leaves per vine at maturity in Cobra variety extreme was attained maximum from T₇ (ZnSO₄ 1.0%+FeSO₄ 0.5%) 70.000. But number of leaves per vine was minimum 60.342 in T0. Parachi variety showed that maximum number of leaves per vine at maturity 70.000 was obtained from T₇ (ZnSO₄ 1.0%+FeSO₄ 0.5%) but minimum 60.110 in T₀. Our findings are related to Gedam, et al., who obtained extreme number of leaves per vine at maturity by use of micronutrients on muskmelon [8]. Number of branches/vine at maturity obtained from T₇ (ZnSO₄ 1.0% +FeSO₄ 0.5%) with an average of 70.000 in Cobra variety but minimum 60.342 in T₀. Parachi variety showed that highest No. of branches/vine at ripeness (77.399) was obtained from T₇ (ZnSO₄ 1.0%+FeSO₄ 0.5%) whereas no. of branches/vine at adulthood was minimum 60.110 in T₀. Our findings are related to Lashkari, et al., who obtained extreme number of branches per vine at maturity on watermelon by use of iron and boron on muskmelon. Same results were also obtained by Panse, et al. Number of days taken from propagating to first female flower in Cobra variety shown that smallest number of days were noted in T₀ with an average of 50.331 days but maximum number of days were noted in T₇ (ZnSO₄ 1.0% +FeSO₄ 0.5%) with an usual of 57.000 days [9]. Parachi variety shown that minimum numbers of days were recorded in T₀ with an average of 50.000 days. But maximum number of days were recorded in T₇ (ZnSO₄ 1.0%+FeSO₄ 0.5%) with an average of 57.000 days.

Our findings are related to Mulani, et al., who obtained maximum number of days taken to first female flower form by application of zinc and iron on bitter gourd. Typical number of days occupied from propagating to first harvesting in Parachi variety showed 55.000 days in T₀. But in T₇ (ZnSO₄ 1.0%+FeSO₄ 0.5%) maximum number of days 59.222 days were noted. Cobra variety shown in T₀ with an average of 55.331 days but in T₇ (ZnSO₄ 1.0%+FeSO₄ 0.5%) determined number of days were noted with an average of 60.000 days. Our findings are related to Bose, et al., who obtained minimum days taken for 1^st harvesting by the use of micronutrients (zinc and iron) on bittergourd) [10]. Final vine length in Cobra variety was 450.00 that obtained from T₇ (ZnSO₄ 1.0%+FeSO₄ 0.5%) and it was minimum 396.34 in T₀. Parachi variety showed that maximum final vine length 449.00 was obtained from T₇ (ZnSO₄ 1.0%+FeSO₄ 0.5%) but final vine length was minimum 390.11 in T₀. Our findings are related to Palada, et al., who obtained maximum final vine length by use of zinc and iron on bottle gourd. Same results were also obtained by Harman et al. (Table 1).

Table 1: Vegetative attributes of bitter gourd affected by B, Zn and Fe.

Number of fruit/vine 65.000 was obtained from T₇ (ZnSO₄ 1.0%+FeSO₄ 0.5%) in cobra variety but was smallest 55.331 in T₀. Maximum number of fruit/vine 65.999 was obtained from T₇ (ZnSO₄ 1.0%+FeSO₄ 0.5%) in Parachi variety. But number of fruit per vine was lowest 55.000 in T₀. Our results about number of fruits per vine resembles with the findings of Jame, et al. Fresh weight of fruit in Cobra variety was 74.490 obtained from T₇ (ZnSO₄ 1.0%+FeSO₄ 0.5%). But fruit fresh weight was minimum 70.552 in T0. Parachi variety showed fruit fresh weight 74.500 obtained from T₇ (ZnSO₄ 1.0%+FeSO₄ 0.5%) but minimum 70.445 in control T₀. Our findings are related to Abd-el-Baky, who obtained maximum number of fruit/vine by the use of micronutrients (Zn and Fe) in bittergourd.

Diameter of fruit in Cobra variety was 74.590 that obtained from T₇ (ZnSO₄ 1.0%+FeSO₄ 0.5%). But it was minimum 12.252 in T₀. Parachi variety shown that maximum fruit diameter 14.000 was obtained from T₇ (ZnSO₄ 1.0% +FeSO₄ 0.5%) but was minimum 12.000 in T₀ [11]. Our findings are related to Bharad, et al., who obtained maximum fruit diameter by use of micronutrients (Zn and Fe) on bitter gourd. Fruit yield per vine in Cobra variety was noted 5.000 from T₇ (ZnSO₄ 1.0%+FeSO₄ 0.5%) whereas in T₀ it was minimum 4.221. Parachi variety showed maximum yield of fruit per vine 5.000 was found from T₇ (ZnSO₄ 1.0%+FeSO₄ 0.5%) but it was minimum 4.220 in T₀. Our findings are related to Patel, et al., who obtained maximum fruit yield per vine by use of iron and zinc on gherkin.

Same results were also obtained by Yousuf, et al., on bottle gourd. Yield of fruit per hectare (tons) showed in Cobra variety 15.000 was got from T₇ (ZnSO₄ 1.0%+FeSO₄ 0.5%). But yield of fruit per hectare was minimum 12.252 in T₀. Parachi variety shown that higher yield of fruit per hectare 15.000 was attained from T₇ (ZnSO₄ 1.0%+FeSO₄ 0.5%) but was smallest 12.000 in control T₀ [12]. Our findings are related to Day, et al., who obtained maximum fruit yield per hectare by use of zinc and iron on bitter gourd (Table 2).

Table 2: Reproductive attributes of bitter gourd affected by B, Zn and Fe.

Content of chlorophyll in Cobra variety 40.000 was obtained from T₇ (ZnSO₄ 1.0%+FeSO₄ 0.5%). But chlorophyll content was minimum 30.202 in T₀. Parachi variety showed that maximum number of chlorophyll content 40.000 was obtained from T₇. But number of chlorophyll content was minimum 30.200 in T₀. Our findings are matching to Aruna, et al., who obtained maximum chlorophyll content by using micronutrients (zinc and iron) on bottle gourd. Vitamin C in Cobra variety 60.000 was obtained from T₇ (ZnSO₄ 1.0% +FeSO₄ 0.5%). But vitamin C was minimum 55.33 in T₀. Parachi variety revealed that maximum number of TSS 59.999 was gained from T₇ (ZnSO₄ 1.0%+FeSO₄ 0.5%). But vitamin C was minimum 55.000 in T₀. Consequences are matching with the conclusions of Akhter, et al. TSS (%) showed maximum TSS (%) 4.900 in Cobra variety found from T₇ (ZnSO₄ 1.0%+FeSO₄ 0.5%). But TSS was minimum 4.340 in T₀. Parachi variety showed that maximum number of TSS 4.900 was obtained from T₇ (ZnSO₄ 1.0%+FeSO₄ 0.5%). But number of chlorophyll content was minimum 4.339 in T₀.

Our findings were related to Kumar, et al., who obtained maximum TSS (%) by the use of zinc and iron on bitter gourd. Maximum Zn (ppm) in Cobra variety 60.000 was obtained from T₇ (ZnSO₄ 1.0%+FeSO₄ 0.5%). But zinc (ppm) was minimum 55.331 in T₀. Parachi variety showed that maximum number of Zn (ppm) 59.999 was obtained from T₇. But zinc (ppm) was minimum 55.000 in T₀. Our findings were related to Salami et al., who obtained maximum Zn (ppm) by the control treatment on bitter gourd. Iron (ppm) showed in Cobra variety maximum iron (ppm) 15.000 was obtained from T₇ (ZnSO₄ 1.0%+ FeSO₄ 0.5%). But iron (ppm) was minimum 9.852 in T₀. Parachi variety showed that maximum number of iron (ppm) 15.000 was obtained from T₇ (ZnSO₄ 1.0%+ FeSO₄ 0.5%). But iron (ppm) was minimum 9.000 in T₀. It is clear from results that maximum iron (ppm) was got by the mutual use of ZnSO₄ (1.0%) and FeSO₄ (0.5%). Our indings are related to Yadav et al. (Table 3).

Table 3: Biochemical attributes of bitter gourd affected by B, Zn and Fe.

Conclusion

From the above research it is concluded that the mixture of micronutrients Zn, Fe and B gave greatest outcomes regarding the performance of yield, quality and growth of bitter gourd. Results showed that treatment T₇ (ZnSO₄ 1.0%+FeSO₄ 1.0%) gave best results in stimulating the growth, quality, yield and chemical attributes of bitter gourd followed by T₈ (ZnSO₄ 1.0% +B₄O₇ 0.1%). It is concluded that combination of micronutrients gave good results regarding growth, quality and yield attributes of bitter gourd.

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