Fruit Storage of Bitter Gourd (Momordica charantia) to Enhance its Seedling Vigor

Unpredictable weather conditions, infestation of pests, and infection with diseases are common problems in bitter gourd fruits when still attached to the mother plants, which affect the seedling vigor. Thus, it is a big problem for farmers to face. Fruit storage under ambient conditions may alleviate this problem. A study was conducted on the fruit storage (0, 2, 4, and 6 days) of bitter gourd (half-ripe stage) under ambient conditions (temperature: 28 ± 2 °C and relative humidity: 65 ± 5%). It was conducted to evaluate the impact of fruit storage on the enhancement of bitter gourd's seedling vigor. A completely randomized design with four replicates was used. Based on the results, 4 days of fruit storage significantly improved the seedling vigor index (SVI), and time beyond this period did not contribute to a higher SVI. Likewise, this fruit-storage period produced better growth for shoot, root, and seedling lengths as compared to lower and higher periods as well as unstored fruits. Moreover, a higher root count per seedling and seedling fresh weight was observed in 4-day fruit storage. Conversely, 6-day fruit storage exhibited a higher chlorophyll content (SPAD index) as compared to shorter storage periods and unstored fruits. A 4-day fruit-storage period may be recommended to the farmers to obtain vigorous bitter gourd seedlings.