Bitter Gourd Genotypes Research Articles

Field screening of different genotypes of bitter gourd for infestation with the melon fruit fly, Bactrocera cucurbitae (Coquillett) in two agro-climatic zones of West Bengal, India

Bitter gourd (Momordica charantia L.) also known as bitter melon being rich in folate and vitamin C is one of the most popular cucurbitaceous vegetables grown extensively in the tropics and subtropics especially in India. Besides its numerous culinary preparations, it has immense medicinal properties as well as ornamental uses. The fast growing vines and creepers of bitter gourd attract a number of insect pests of which fruit fly (Bactrocera cucurbitae Coq.) is the most destructive due to difficulties associated with its chemical control as the maggots remain and feed inside the fruits, protected from direct contact with insecticides. Therefore, exploration of alternative control measures for this pest is crucial and identification of promising resistance genotypes could be the effective option. Considering the above aspects in view, twenty five genotypes of bitter gourd (M. charantia L.) were preliminary screened under field condition to study their susceptibility against the infestation of melon fruit fly, B. cucurbitae (Coq.) in two agro-climatic zones of West Bengal, India. Based on the performance of preliminary screening, nine genotypes were selected for final screening. The experiment on preliminary screening was conducted at Kalyani, Nadia (Gangetic Alluvial zone) and Sekhampur, Birbhum (Red and Laterite zone) during spring-summer season of 2016 and 2017 while the final screening was done in 2018. Results of the study revealed that percent fruit infestation and larval density per fruit varied significantly in all the tested genotypes and none of the genotypes were free of infestation with B. cucurbitae. During preliminary screening, the pooled data of mean percent fruit infestation of two years at two locations showed that infestation of melon fruit fly was significantly lower in the genotype US-6214 (14.50%) with larval density of 3.63 larvae per fruit followed by Meghnad-2 (16.50% and 4.08 larvae per fruit). Highest mean percent fruit infestation was recorded in the genotype Pusa Do Mausami (69.67%) with larval density of 10.77 larvae per fruit followed by Diamond Bolder (60.67% and 8.13 larvae per fruit) and were categorized as susceptible. Out of the twenty five genotypes of bitter gourd tested, six genotypes were classified as resistant, eleven genotypes as moderately resistant and eight genotypes as susceptible against melon fruit fly infestation. The mean data of the final screening at two locations revealed that US-6214 and Meghnad-2 recorded significantly low percent fruit infestation (14.35% and 16.33%) with 3.85 and 4.37 larvae per fruit while Pusa Do Mausami had the highest infestation and larval density (63.67% and 10.36 larvae per fruit). These findings suggest that US-6214 and Meghnad-2 may be utilized in resistance breeding programmes against melon fruit fly.

Identification of resistance in cultivated and wild bitter gourd against root knot nematode, Meloidogyne incognita

Thirty-seven bitter gourd genotypes belonging to Momordica charantia (30 accessions) and Momordica balsamina (5 accessions) species were evaluated against root knot nematode, Meloidogyne incognita under artificial conditions to identify the resistant source(s). Results demonstrated that all the five M. balsamina accessions (MB-3, MB-5, MB-6, MB-7 and Local-1) showed resistant reaction to root knot nematode in terms of low root galls, soil nematode population and reproduction factor. On the other hand, most of M. charantia accessions were found moderately susceptible or susceptible to root knot nematode except two lines (PAUBG-1 and PAUBG-13) which gave moderate resistant reaction. Further, cluster analysis was used to investigate the resistance among 37 bitter gourd genotypes based on their growth and resistance indexes after inoculation with M. incognita. The bitter gourd accessions/genotypes under the present study could be divided into five groups based upon their resistance levels viz., resistant, moderately resistant, moderately susceptible, and highly susceptible to M. incognita. All the M. balsamina accessions exhibited resistance while M. charantia accessions exhibited moderate resistant, susceptible and highly susceptible reaction to root knot nematode.

Appraisement of Genetic Variability and Character Association of Bitter Gourd (Momordica charantia L.) Land Races for Yield and Yield Contributing Characters in Bangladesh

A field experiment was conducted with 20 genotypes of bitter gourd (<i>Momordica charantia</i> L.) at the experimental field of Sher-e-Bangla Agricultural University, Dhaka, to study the variability among the genotypes for yield and yield contributing characters, estimate genetic parameters, association among the characters and their contribution to yield during April 2015 to September 2015.

Stability analysis in bitter gourd (Momordica charantia L.)

Fifty four genotypes of bitter gourd (Momordica charantia L.) comprising 36 hybrids, 15 parents and 3 checks were evaluated for stability with respect to 17 different characters in three various environments. The analysis of variance for phenotypic stability revealed that the mean squares due to genotypes were significant for all the characters. The mean squares due to linear components i.e. G x E (linear) interactions were also significant for all the characters except node at which first female flower appeared, fruit length, number of seeds per fruit and ascorbic acid content. Stability parameter for total yield per vine indicated that hybrids viz., L1 x T2, L1 x T3, L2 x T3, x T2, L6 x T3, L7 x T3, L11 x T2 and L12 x T2 which exhibited non-significant deviation from regression (S2di) and regression coefficient less than unity (bi 1) with higher mean values as compared to the population mean. These hybrids were found stable in favourable environments.

Elucidation of correlation and path coefficient analysis for various morphological attributes in elite genotypes of bitter melon (Momordica charantia L.)

Bitter gourd or bitter melon is undoubtedly one of the most significant members of the cucurbitaceous vegetable crops. Through the exploitation of this highly potential crop, novel mechanisms and strategies can be developed that will open the wide arrays for further improvement. Keeping this objective in mind, a field investigation was conducted with twenty genotypes of bitter gourd at Vegetable Research Farm of Banaras Hindu University to estimate the character association as well as direct and indirect effects of different yield traits on average yield per plant through correlation and path coefficient analysis. The data demonstrated that the positive and significant interrelationship with average yield per plant was obtained by various traits, viz., node number of first staminate flower (0.375), node number of first pistillate flower (0.54), vine length (0.417), fruit length (0.356), fruit circumference (0.79), average fruit weight (0.768), fruits per plant (0.637), and internodal length (0.3) while negative significant correlation was followed by days toanthesis of first staminate flower (-0.331) and days to first harvest (-0.355). The average fruit weight (0.572) had highest direct positive effect on average yield per plant followed by traits like days to fifty per cent flowering (0.296), number of fruits per plant (0.274), and number of primary branches per plant (0.259) whereas maximum direct negative effect was recorded by days to anthesis of first staminate flower (-0.263) followed by internodal length (-0.162) and days to first harvest (-0.152). The traits with high positive direct effect should be more prioritised for effective selection of promising genotypes for further crop improvement programmes.

Molecular, morphological and biochemical characterization of some Turkish bitter melon (Momordica charantia L.) genotypes

Bitter melon or bitter gourd (Momordica charantia L.) of the Cucurbitaceae family is valuable plant for their nutritive and medicinal properties. In this study, molecular, morphological and some biochemical properties of 12 bitter gourd genotypes from different parts of Turkey were determined. Considerable morphological variation among the genotypes was observed for fruit properties such as fruit length (9.33 to 14.33 cm) and time for maturity (late June to late September). For molecular caharacterization fifteen ISSR primers were produced, on average, 113 bands in the accessions were examined and 59 (52%) of them were detected as to be polymorphic, which resulted in a Jaccard’s similarity range from 0.80 to 0.98. According to biocehmical analyses, palmitic, stearic, oleic, linoleic and eleostearic acids were detected as the major fatty acids in the studied bitter gourd seeds. Eleostearic acid had the highest proportion among the fatty acids (42.66-61.99%). The bitter gourd genotypes showed different fractions of vitamin E. G1 contained alpha, gamma and delta tocopherol, while G2, G18, G19 and G24 contained only gamma and delta tocopherols. Beta carotene was also present in all genotypes and the ratio was between 56.57 and 116.75 mg/kg. In addition, the genotypes were evaluated for their mineral composition and phosphorus was the major mineral for the genotypes and only sodium was not observed in all genotypes among the studied minerals. This study provided useful information for nutritional perspective of bitter melon and also breeding studies.

Genetic variability for growth, yield and quality traits in bitter gourd

The present study was conducted to determine genetic variability, broad sense heritability and genetic advance inthirty six diverse genotypes of bitter gourd. The differences observed between genotypes were highly significant for all the characters studied. Moisture content had lowest coefficient of variation (2.7) followed by anthesis of first female flower (8.4) and anthesis of first male flower (10.5); whereas, it was highest for fruit cavity (24.1). High estimates of PCV and GCV were found for total carotene contentfollowed by yield. High heritability coupled with high genetic advance was observed for fruit number, anthesis of first male flower and vitamin C may be attributed to additive gene effects and could be improved through selection.

Antixenosis Studies in Different Genotypes of Bitter Gourd Fruits against the Infestation of Melon Fruit Fly

In crop plants, three principle mechanism viz., non-preference (antixenosis), antibiosis and tolerance are responsible for imparting resistance to insects. Non preference denotes a group of plants character and insect response that keep away the insect from using a particular plant or variety for oviposit ion, food, shelter, or combination of both. Keeping in this view, seventy four promising genotypes of bitter gourd were screened against fruit fly infestation to identify the antixenosis traits involved in host plant selection by the melon fruit fly. On the basis of percent fruit infestation and the average number of larvae per damage fruit, the genotypes were categorized in to different groups i.e. (Highly resistant, resistant, moderately resistant, susceptible, and highly susceptible). The fruit infestation during the 2006 and 2007 summer season (Average of two years) ranged from 13.23% to 83.75%. Larval density per fruit ranged from 2.59 to 8.13 larvae per fruit. The larval density increased with the increase in percent fruit infestation and showed significant positive correlation (r = 0.98).The depth of ribs in resistant genotypes was higher as compared to susceptible genotypes. The number of seed was recorded maximum in the genotype VRBT-96 (31.8) and minimum was recorded in the genotype IC 68314(14.8). The fruit toughness had significant negative effect on fruit infestation(r = -0.52) and larval density (r = -0.57) of fruit fly. There was a strong correlation between number of ribs and fruit toughness, and these traits can be used as markers to select bitter gourd genotype resistant to melon fruit fly.

Biochemical Resistance Traits of Bitter Gourd against Fruit Fly Bactrocera cucurbitae (Coquillett) Infestation

Host plant resistance is a key factor for management of the melon fruit fly, Bactrocera cucurbitae (Coquillett), due to difficulties associated with its chemical and biological control. Various biochemical traits including total sugars, reducing sugars, non-reducing sugars, silica, protein content, ash content, other elements and phenols, and moisture content of fruit were studied on 74 varieties/genotypes of bitter gourd (Momordica charantia L.), in relation to resistance against B. cucurbitae under field conditions. Seventy-four genotypes of bitter gourd were screened against fruit fly infestation. The correlation coefficients revealed that the larval density and bitter gourd fruit damage (%) had significant positive relationship (r = 0.99). The moisture content had significant positive effect on the fruit damage (r = 0.75) and number of larvae per fruit (0.80). Significant differences were found in tested varieties/genotypes for fruit infestation and larval density per fruit. The nitrogen, phosphorous, potassium and protein content (r = -0.87, -0.90) showed significant negative correlation with fruit fly infestation. The non-reducing, reducing, total sugars, total phenols, silica and ash content had significant impact on the fruit damage and showed significant negative correlation with fruit fly infestation. The ascorbic acid also had significant impact on the fruit damage and showed significant negative correlation with fruit fly infestation (r = -0.79), the chlorophyll ‘a’, ‘b’ and total chlorophyll content had non-significant negative effect on the fruit damage and number of larvae per fruit.

Variability, correlation and path co-efficient analysis of bitter gourd (Momordica charantia L.)

Seventeen genotypes of bitter gourd (Momordica charantia L.) were studied in a field experiment conducted at the experimental field of Sher-e-Bangla Agricultural University, Dhaka, during April 2009 to September 2010. The objectives of the study were to measure the variability among the genotypes for yield and yield contributing characters, estimate genetic parameters, association among the characters and their contribution to yield. There was a great deal of significant variation for all the characters among the genotypes. Considering genetic parameters high genotypic co-efficient of variation (GCV) was observed for branches per vine, yield per plant and number of fruit per plant whereas low genotypic co-efficient of variation (GCV) was observed for days to first male and female flowering. In all the cases, it was found that phenotypic co-efficient of variation was greater than genotypic co-efficient of variation. Highest genotypic and phenotypic co-efficient of variation was observed in branch per vine, fruit length, fruit weight and number of fruit plant which indicated a wide variability among the genotypes and offered better scope of selection. The results obtained showed that fruit length showed low direct and positive effect on yield per plant and indirect positive effect on yield per plant via fruit diameter and average fruit weight. Similar result was found for fruit diameter. Average fruit weight and number of fruits per plant showed high direct and positive effect on yield per plant. Path analysis revealed that average fruit weight, number of fruits per plant, days to male flowering and fruit length had positive direct effect on fruit yield. Considering group distance and the agronomic performance, the inter genotypic crosses between G2&amp; G5; G2&amp;G14; G14&amp;G15; G2&amp;G15; G10&amp;G11; G10&amp;G13; G11&amp;G13; G5&amp;G15; G5&amp;G14 might be suitable choice for future hybridization programme.Bangladesh J. Agril. Res. 40(4): 607-618, December 2015

Combining ability for yield related traits, earliness and yield in Bitter gourd (Momordica charantia)

Combining ability analysis using eight parents and their 28 F1 crosses of bitter gourd obtained from diallel mating design (excluding reciprocals) for yield and earliness indicated that non-additive gene action played major role than additive gene action in inheritance of the traits. Among the parents, IC-04448, IC-470560, IC470558 and IC-085622 were found good general combiner for yield attributing characters and earliness hence, these parents can be exploited for hybridization for producing desirable recombinants in the segregating generations. High sca effects for yield and related characters were exhibited by IC-044438 × IC-045339 followed by IC-044417 × IC-470558 and IC-045339 × IC-085622. For earliness the crosses viz., IC-044438 × IC-045339, IC-045339 × IC-470550 and IC-045339 × IC-470558 were identified as promising ones. Most good specific cross combinations involved High × Low and Low × Low general combiners. Five crosses were identified for developing high yielding genotypes of bitter gourd.

Genetic Diversity for Growth and Yield Traits in Bitter Gourd

ABSTRACTKnowledge of the magnitude of genetic variability for marketable fruit yield and quality traits and relationships among these traits is needed to improve quality breeding in Bitter gourd (Momordica charantia L.) genotypes. Twenty-six genotypes of bitter gourd, collected from diverse climatic zones of Himachal Pradesh, were evaluated in May 2012 for mean, genetic variability, heritability, genetic advance, and genetic gain in respect to the quantitative characters vine length, branches/plant, days to first female flower appearance, node at which first female flowers appear, days to first harvest, fruit size, ridges/fruit, marketable fruit/plant, average fruit weight, fruit yield/plant, number of seed/fruit, and total marketable fruit yield·per hectare. Significant differences among bitter gourd genotypes indicated the presence of significant variation for all traits. The highest yielding genotype, NUBG-14-5, had the highest average fruit weight (135.00 g). Genotype JBG-5 took the shortest time to first female flower appearance (49.67 days) and time to first harvest (62.33 days). The phenotypic coefficient of variation (PCV) had higher values than the genotypic coefficient of variation (GCV) for all traits, indicating close association between genotype and phenotype. The PCV and GCV were high for branches/plant followed by fruit yield/plant and total marketable fruit yield·per hectare. High heritability estimates, coupled with greater genetic gain, occurred for number of branches/plant followed by fruit size and number of seed/fruit, indicating nonadditive gene activity, and these could be improved through hybridization. Genetic advance was high for total marketable fruit yield·per hectare. Adequate genetic variability was present within available bitter gourd germplasm to allow improvement of marketable yield and quality traits. A selection procedure based on more fruit per plant, harvest duration, and average fruit weight may be effective in improving fruit yield.

GREENHOUSE CULTIVATION OF BITTER GOURD (MOMORDICA CHARANTIA L.) IN MINERAL AND ORGANIC SUBSTRATE

Bitter gourd has importance as vegetable and medicinal plant as well. Because of the fast ripening process long distance transportation is difficult and therefore local production should be developed. Protocols for bitter gourd cultivation in greenhouses in temperate regions are missing. The aim was to investigate the potential of typical cultivation systems in greenhouse as the substrate culture for bitter gourd production. Therefore four genotypes of bitter gourd were cultivated for 6 months in rockwool (Cultilene Exact) and cocopeat (coir) slabs (Dutch Plantin) differing in its chemical and physical properties as water capacity and pore volume. All substrates were irrigated by trickle irrigation. The vegetative development of the plants was recorded weekly and the harvest was evaluated according yield and fruit quality. Shoot growth and leaf number per shoot was not affected by the substrate used. The yield was in average approximately 20% higher on rockwool than on cocopeat mainly due to a higher number of fruits harvested but the fruits on rockwool were also longer than on cocopeat. Regarding the quality in the fruits grown on cocopeat a higher mineral content, in particular K, P and Mg, was determined. In both substrates significant differences between the genotypes of bitter gourd were detected.

English

Bitter gourd is one of the popular vegetables for its medicinal values. It is monoecious cucurbitaceous plants which have imbalance sex ratio of male-female flowers that causes lower fruit yield. Different research works on cucurbits like bitter gourd and other related crops in respect of plant growth regulators, plant nutrients, and priming practices have been conducted in different parts of the world. Literatures related to the present study have been reviewed and found that bitter gourd genotypes produced larger male-female ratio and the induction of male flower was earlier than that of female ones. Growth regulators have significant positive effect on yield and yield components. Application of gibberellic acid (GA3) enhanced the length of main vine, but decreased the primary branches while ethylene producing chemicals Canadian Environmental Protection Act (CEPA) increased the number of primary branches per plant. Application of auxin like 1-naphthaleneacetic acid (NAA) at 50 and 100 ppm and CEPA at 150 ppm also proved to be effective in inducing earlier female flowers at lower node. Application of CEPA at 150 ppm and NAA at 50 ppm was found to be the best treatments for reducing sex ratio by increasing the female flowers by suppressing the male ones, and consequently induce higher yield. Key words: Bitter gourd, sex ratio, medicinal plant, yields.

Morphological analyses define the Genetic Diversity of Indian bitter gourd (Momordica charantiaL.)

Twenty five diverse bitter gourd genotypes were collected from different part of India and grown in a randomized block design (RBD) with three replications at Indian Institute of Vegetable Research, Varanasi (U.P.) during the summer seasons of 2009–2010. There were significant differences among the genotypes for the traits examined. A wide range of variation was observed for all characters which represents the variation was high and genotypes were rich in diversity. The wide variation in these yield related traits will be useful for selecting best genotypes with high yield. The long sized fruits with wide diameter generally consisted more number of seeds as compare to normal and small fruited genotypes because it consisted more space for seed development within the flesh. Cluster analysis of 25 genotypes based on 10 quantitative traits was indicated that all the genotypes were resolved into two major clusters. The genotypes from these distant clusters may be used in crop improvement programmes to produce populations with wide variability with transgressive segregants possessing high yielding and nutrition rich fruits.

Genetic divergence in bitter gourd (Momordica charntia L.)

The genetic divergence among 36 genotypes of bitter gourd (Momordica charantia L.) was determined through PCA, PCO, CVA, Cluster analysis (CLSA) and Mohalanobis’s D2 analysis. Through multivariate analysis based on 22 characters 36 genotypes were grouped into six distant clusters. Cluster VI includes maximum genotypes (12) followed by cluster I (6) and cluster II (6). Cluster V, cluster III and cluster I comprised 5, 4 and 3 genotypes respectively. The inter-cluster distances were higher than the intra-cluster distances. The inter-cluster distance was maximum between cluster III and IV (28.71) followed by the distance between cluster I and cluster IV (23.61). The intra-cluster distances in all the 6 clusters were more or less low indicating the closeness of genotypes within the same cluster. The highest intra-cluster distance was observed for cluster III (1.84) followed by the cluster I (1.38). The genotypes within the same clusters were collected from different places and genotypes collected in the same place fall in different cluster, which indicated that genetic divergence are not dependent on its geographical position from where the genotypes were collected. The genetic diversity of 36 genotypes was also assessed through PCA. The first three components accounted for 60.04% of the total variation. Days to first male flower opening, number of primary branches per vine, fruit yield per vine, days to green fruit maturity, seed weight per fruit mature seed width had the highest contribution towards the divergence. Cluster diagram exhibited that the genotypes include in the cluster III were far diverse from the genotypes of cluster IV while the genotypes belonging to the cluster II and VI were least diversed. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/jasbs.v38i2.15593 J. Asiat. Soc. Bangladesh, Sci. 38(2): 125-134, December 2012 J. Asiat. Soc. Bangladesh, Sci. 38(2): 125-134, December 2012

Studies on Genetic Divergence in Bitter Gourd (Momordica charantia L.)

Genetic divergence study was conducted on 33 bitter gourd genotypes for twenty characters. These genotypes were grouped into five clusters irrespective of geographic divergence, indicating no parallelism between geographic and genetic diversity. Cluster-I was the largest comprising 11 genotypes, followed by Clusters-III and V with 10 genotypes each. Clusters-II and IV comprised one genotype each. As regards cluster means, Clusters-II and IV performed better in most of the biometric characters studied. Maximum inter-cluster distance was observed in Clusters-III and IV, followed by Clusters-II and III, and clusters-I and IV. Intra-cluster distance was highest in Cluster I.

Investigating phenotypic structures and allelochemical compounds of the fruits of Momordica charantia L. genotypes as sources of resistance against Bactrocera cucurbitae (Coquillett) (Diptera: Tephritidae)

Plant resistance is an important component of integrated management of the melon fruit fly, Bactrocera cucurbitae (Coquillett) owing to difficulties associated with its chemical control. Various biophysical traits including fruit length, fruit diameter, fruit toughness, number of the longitudinal ribs, height of the longitudinal ribs, number of small ridges, depth of small ridges and pericarp thickness, and biochemical traits including total chlorophyll, pH, tannin, flavanol, phenol, ash and silica contents of fruit were studied on six genotypes of bitter gourd ( Momordica charantia L.) in relation to resistance against B. cucurbitae under field conditions in Pakistan. Faisalabad-long and Col-II were the most resistant whereas Chaman and Col-Vehari were the most susceptible among the tested genotypes. Fruit length, fruit diameter, number of the longitudinal ribs and number of small ridges had significant positive correlations whereas fruit toughness, depth of small ridges, height of the longitudinal ribs and pericarp thickness had significant negative correlations with the percent fruit infestation and larval density. Maximum variation in fruit infestation and larval density was explained by fruit toughness (63.4 and 49.2% respectively) followed by fruit diameter (23.2 and 22.4% respectively) and number of the longitudinal ribs (8.2 and 11.6% respectively) whereas the remainder of the physical traits explained <2.0% variation in fruit infestation. Total chlorophyll and pH were lowest in resistant and highest in susceptible genotypes whereas tannin, flavanol, phenol, ash and silica contents were highest in resistant and lowest in susceptible genotypes. Tannin and flavanol contents explained 96.5% of the total variation in fruit infestation and 97.7% of the total variation in larval density whereas rest of the biochemical traits explained <0.2% variation in fruit infestation.