Effect of split application of nitrogen on the growth and yield of bitter gourd (Momordica Charantia)

Plant nutrition at optimum quantity is essential for sustainable crop yield. Among all plant nutrients, nitrogen occupies a significant position. Therefore its balanced rate and timings for higher yield of crop plants needs to be investigated. The experiment was carried out to investigate the effect of split N application on the growth and yield of bitter gourd. The field trial was laid out in a three replicated Randomized Complete Block Design at the experimental field of Horticulture Department, Sindh Agriculture University Tandojam having plot size of 5.0 m x 6.0 m (30 m2). The treatments included T1= Control, T2= 150 kg ha-1 N in four splits (1/4th N as basal dose, and remaining N in 03 splits at monthly interval), T3= 150 kg ha-1 N in three splits (1/3rd N as basal dose, and remaining N in 02 splits at 25 days interval), T4= 150 kg ha-1 N in two splits (Half of N as basal dose and remaining half after 50 days of sowing and T5= 150 kg ha-1 N in three splits (1/3rd N after 25 days after sowing and remaining N in equal two splits at 50 and 75 days after sowing). The results revealed that all the growth and yield components of bitter gourd were significantly (P<0.05) influenced by increasing nitrogen doses. The nitrogen @ 150 kg ha-1 in three splits (1/3rd N as basal dose, and remaining N in 02 splits at 25 days interval) showed higher values and resulted 150.00 cm vine length, 21.56 cm fruit length, 89.29 g average fruit weight, 13.89 number of fruits vine-1, 1240.2 g fruit weight vine-1, 26.84 kg fruit yield plot-1 and 8948 kg fruit yield ha-1. The bitter gourd vines receiving 150 kg ha-1 N in four splits (1/4th N as basal dose, and remaining N in 03 splits at monthly interval) resulted in 146.00 cm vine length, 19.24 cm fruit length, 86.63 g average fruit weight, 13.08 number of fruits vine-1, 1133.6 g fruit weight vine-1, 25.63 kg fruit yield plot-1 and 8545 kg fruit yield ha-1. The results further showed that the bitter gourds raised without nitrogen application(control) showed lowest values and resulted 61.67 cm vine length, 9.80 cm fruit length, 35.64 g average fruit weight, 5.86 number of fruits vine-1, 208.4 g fruit weight vine-1, 6.40 kg fruit yield plot-1 and 2136 kg fruit yield ha-1. It was concluded that 150 kg ha-1 N in three splits (1/3rd N as basal dose, and remaining N in 02 splits at 25 days interval) was considered as an optimum level for achieving economically maximum fruit yield.