EFFECT OF NITROGEN NUTRITION ON FRUIT QUALITY AND SHELF LIFE OF CUCURBITACEOUS VEGETABLE BITTER GOURD

Abstract

This study was conducted to investigate the influence of nitrogen (N) nutrition on fruit quality and shelf life of cucurbitaceous vegetable, bitter gourd (Momordica charantia L.) using poultry manure as an organic source. Three levels of nitrogen (200, 250 and 300 kg N ha⁻¹) were applied in three ratios of organic-chemical N substitutions (1:1, 1:2, 2:1) at three different frequencies of application. The experiment was laid out as confounded 3³ design in 9-plot blocks with two replications confounding LR²F in RI and LRF² in RII. The crude protein, total phosphorus (P), potassium (K), and iron (Fe) content of fruits increased with increasing levels of N application and were highest with 300 kg. Highest iron content was recorded (0.10%) with higher doses of N. Higher levels of N nutrition reduced the ascorbic acid content in fruits. More frequent split application of nutrient N or greater proportion of organic source enhanced the shelf life of fruits.

Keywords:

• bitter gourd
• nitrogen substitution
• poultry manure
• shelf life
• split application