Abstract
Momordica charantia is a plant species widely used in food and traditional medicine. However, the germination techniques and the performances of M. charantia are poorly understood by the populations. This study aims to better understand the germination, growth and development characteristics, and yield of M. charantia. Three pretreatments of the seeds are used for the shortening of the pre-germination period: soaking the seeds in tap water for 24 hours (batch 2), in hot water at 80˚C (batch 3), for 24 hours and in the boiling water at 100˚C for 24 hours (batch 4). A control without soaking (batch 1) was also carried out. The seeds were sown in plastic boxes in the laboratory with sterile sand and directly in the nursery in polyethylene sleeves. The influence of the light factor (light and dark) and watering frequency (every day and every two days) on the growth and yield parameters was evaluated respectively in the laboratory and in the nursery. Germination, growth and yield parameters were determined. The results show that the light and frequency of watering factors have no influence (p > 0.05) on the rate and duration of seed germination unlike pretreatments. Thus, Batch1 and 2 exhibit significantly higher germination rates (70% ± 16%) than Lots 3 and 4 (21% ± 15%) in the laboratory and in the nursery. On the other hand in terms of germination time, batch 3 and 4 displayed shorter durations (14 days) than those batch1 and 2 (23 days). Growth parameters and yield (fruit and seeds) are strongly influenced by watering frequency, unlike pretreatments which only affect yield. Growth and yield parameters are significantly higher with daily watering than daily watering. Ultimately, this study showed that pretreatments have an influence on the duration and rate of germination as well as the frequency of watering on the performance of M. charantia.
Highlights
The untapped diversity of neglected and underutilized species are important sources of nutrients, especially proteins, vitamins and micronutrients that are scarce in major staple crops
The objective of this study is to assess on the one hand the germination rate of seeds in the laboratory and in the nursery, and on the other hand the growth rate of seedlings and seed yield of M. charantia L
Germination started on the third day for the control (Lot1) and for the seeds soaked in tap water for 24 hours (Lot2) and on the fifth day for the seeds soaked in hot water at 80 ̊C. (Lot3) and in boiling water at 100 ̊C (Lot 4)
Summary
The untapped diversity of neglected and underutilized species are important sources of nutrients, especially proteins, vitamins and micronutrients that are scarce in major staple crops. The recommendations of institutions and organizations including the world Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) aimed at increasing the productivity and quality of the agricultural sector in developing countries are focused primarily on under-utilized crops [1] Among these neglected species are the cucurbits, some of which are important for food and especially medicinal crops, are attracting the attention of populations [2]. Momordica charantia, known as bitter gourd, bitter melon and Karela, belongs to the Cucurbitaceae family, generally consumed as a food (bitter flavor) in India and traditionally used to treat diabetes and other chronic diseases [4] [5] It is cultivated for its edible fruits and consumed as a vegetable because of its medicinal properties. The objective of this study is to assess on the one hand the germination rate of seeds in the laboratory and in the nursery, and on the other hand the growth rate of seedlings and seed yield of M. charantia L
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