Earn 6000 per Acre from Karela Farming. | Double Your Income by Growing Bitter Gourd Scientifically |
Profitable Bitter Gourd Farming: How to earn Rs 6000 per acre from Hybrid Bitter Gourd.
Bitter gourd, popularly known as karela, is a popular vegetable in India. It has many health benefits, such as lowering blood sugar, purifying the blood, and boosting immunity. Bitter gourd farming can be a profitable venture for farmers who want to diversify their crops and increase their income.In this article, we discuss how to grow hybrid varieties of bitter gourd which can give a yield of up to 6000 per acre.
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What are the hybrid bitter gourd varieties?
Hybrid bitter gourd varieties are the result of cross-breeding different types of bitter gourd to create plants that have improved properties such as higher yield, better quality, disease resistance, and longer shelf life. Some of the hybrid bitter gourd varieties available in India are:Pusa Shankar-1: It is a high-yielding variety developed by Indian Agricultural Research Institute (IARI). It bears dark green colored fruits weighing about 80-100 grams. The fruit surface is smooth and bitterness is less. The average yield is about 300 quintals per hectare.**PIG-1: This is another high-yielding variety developed by Punjab Agricultural University (PAU). It bears light green fruits weighing about 60-80 grams. The fruit surface is rough and of moderate bitterness. The average yield is around 250 quintals per hectare.
Arka Harit: It is a hybrid developed by the Indian Institute of Horticultural Research (IIHR). It bears dark green colored fruits weighing about 70-90 grams. The fruit surface is smooth and bitterness is less. The average yield is about 200 quintals per hectare.
Kalyanpur: It is a hybrid developed by Narendra Dev University of Agriculture & Technology (NDUAT). It bears light green colored fruits weighing about 50-70 grams. The fruit surface is rough and of moderate bitterness. The average yield is about 150 quintals per hectare.
How to grow Hybrid Bitter Gourd?
Hybrid bitter gourd cultivation requires some specific steps to ensure optimum growth and yield. Here are some important aspects of hybrid bitter gourd cultivation:
Soil and Climate
Bitter gourd can grow in different types of soil like sandy loam, medium black, and alluvial soil. However, the best soil for bitter gourd cultivation is light loamy soil with good drainage and organic matter. Soil pH should be between 6.0 and 7.0.Bitter gourd is a warm-season crop that thrives in hot and humid climates. The ideal temperature range for bitter gourd cultivation is between 24°C and 35°C. The crop cannot tolerate frost or extreme cold.
Land preparation and sowing
The land should be well-plowed and leveled before sowing. Pits of size 30 cm x 30 cm x 30 cm should be dug at a distance of 2 x 1.5 m and filled with organic manure or compost. Alternatively, raised beds of 1 m width and convenient length can be prepared with furrows spaced 1.5 m apart.The seeds should be soaked in water overnight before sowing for better germination. About 2-3 seeds should be sown in each pit or on both sides of the furrow at a depth of 2.5-3 cm. The seed rate is about 4-5 kg per hectare.Sowing time depends on the season and region. Generally, the sowing time of summer crops is from January to March, while the sowing time of rainy season crops is from June to July.
Irrigation and weed control
The frequency of irrigation depends on the type of soil, weather conditions, and stage of the crop. Normally irrigation should be done at an interval of 5 days for summer crops and according to rainfall for rainy season crops. Drip irrigation can be used to save water and fertilizer.Weed control is essential for bitter gourd cultivation as weeds compete with the crop for nutrients, water, and space. Hand weeding or hoeing should be done at regular intervals to keep the field free from weeds. Mulching can also help suppress weeds and conserve soil moisture.
Fertilizers and Manure
Bitter gourd requires a sufficient amount of organic and inorganic fertilizers for healthy growth and high yield. About 40-50 quintals of cow dung manure or compost should be applied per hectare before sowing or transplanting. In addition, about 100 kg Nitrogen, 50 kg Phosphorus, and 50 kg Potassium should be applied per hectare in split doses. The first dose of nitrogen and phosphorus should be given at the time of sowing or transplanting, while the second and third doses of nitrogen and potassium should be given at the flowering and fruit set stage respectively. Micronutrients such as zinc, boron, and iron can also be applied as a foliar spray to increase the quality and yield of bitter gourd.
Pest and Disease Management:
Bitter gourd is vulnerable to various pests and diseases that can reduce the yield and quality of the crop. Some common pests and diseases of bitter gourd are:Aphids: These are small, sap-sucking insects that infest the leaves and stems of bitter gourd plants. They cause curling, yellowing, and deformation of leaves and spread viral diseases. They can be controlled by spraying neem oil, soap solution, or insecticides like dimethoate or malathion.
Fruit flies: These are small, winged insects that lay eggs inside bitter gourd fruits. The larvae feed on the pulp and cause the fruits to rot and drop. They can be controlled using pheromone traps, bait sprays, or insecticides such as carbaryl or quinalphos.
Powdery Mildew : It is a fungal disease that causes white, powdery growth on the leaves and stems of bitter gourd plants. It reduces the photosynthesis and vigor of the plants. It can be controlled by spraying fungicides like Sulfur or Wettable Sulphur.
Downy Mildew: This is another fungal disease that causes yellow spots on the upper surface of the leaves and white, hairy growth on the lower surface. It also reduces photosynthesis and vigor of plants. It can be controlled by spraying fungicides such as Mancozeb or Metalaxyl.
Harvesting and Yield
Bitter gourd fruits are ready to harvest when they have attained full size and color, but before turning yellow or orange. To avoid over-ripening and seed formation, harvesting should be done at an interval of 2-3 days. The fruits should be picked carefully with a sharp knife or scissors without damaging the vines or other fruits.The yield of bitter gourd depends on the variety, season, soil, climate, irrigation, fertilizer, pest and disease management, and methods of harvesting. Generally, hybrid bitter gourd varieties can give up to 6000 per acre, while local varieties can give up to 4000 per acre.
conclusion:
Bitter gourd farming is a profitable venture for farmers who want to diversify their crops and increase their income. By growing hybrid bitter gourd varieties with high yield, better quality, disease resistance, and longer shelf life, farmers can earn up to 6000 per acre. However, bitter gourd cultivation requires proper soil preparation, sowing, irrigation, weed control, fertilizer application, pest and disease management, and harvesting practices to ensure optimum growth and yield.
