Seed yield and quality in bittergourd as influenced by vegetable harvests

Abstract

The present investigation was carried out at the Callege of Agriculture, Vellayani to study the influence of vegetable harvests on the seed yield and quality, seed extraction, drying methods and storage containers and the position of seed in fruit on the seed and seedling characters of bittergourd. Growth characters viz. length of main vine number of main branches plant-1 and leaf area index were significantly influenced by vegetable harvests and these characters increased with increasing vegetable harvests. The bearing capacity of the bittergourd plant was improved by the frequent picking of green fruits but the ripe .fruit yield and seed yield increased only upto two vegetable harvests. Hundred seed weight was significantly higher for two vegetable harvests but the germination percentage was not appreciably influenced. Though the net income and benefit cost ratio were not influenced significantly, the highest were obtained for two vegetable harvests. Extraction treatments significantly influenced germination percentage, speed of germination, seedling root length and vigour index. Seeds extracted after soaking in water for 12 h recorded the highest seed and characters. seedling Germination percentage, speed of germination, seedling root length, electrical conductivity of seed leachate and hydrogenase enzyme activity were significantly influenced by drying methods undertaken. Among these characters all except seedling root length and electrical conductivity of seed leachate were superior for the method in which seeds were dried under direct sun avoiding peak sunshine hours. Seedling roots were longest for seeds dried fully under shade and electrical conductivity of seed leachate was lowest for artificially dried seeds. Storage containers significantly influenced all the seed and seedling characters studied. Germination percentage, speed of germination, seedling shoot length, vigour index, dry weight, electrical conductivity of seed leachate and hydrogenase enzyme activity were superior for seeds kept in polythene bag. Longest seedling roots were produced by seeds kept in butter paper cover. Interaction between drying and storage containers was significant for seedling dry weight, electrical conductivity of seed leachate and hydrogenase enzyme activity. The highest seedling dry weight was recorded by seeds dried fully under direct sun and stored in polybags at two MAS. Lowest electrical conductivity values were recorded by artificial drying and polythene bag combination at two and three MAS. Hydrogenase enzyme activity was highest for drying under sun

avoiding peak hours plus polybag at 45 DAS and for artificial drier plus polybag at 90 DAS. Position of seed in bittergourd fruit influenced germination percentage, seedling root length and vigour index significantly with middle portion recording the highest values.