Effects of Bio-N on bitter gourd
2010
Bio-N technology was developed in search of substitutes for expensive chemical fertilizers in different crops. Bio-N is a microbial inoculant that contains the bacterium Azosperillium, which can convert atmospheric nitrogen into a form that can be used by the plant. At present, there is an abundance of researches conducted using Bio-N in rice and corn, which resulted in higher yield and better quality of produce. Limited studies, however are available on the effects of Bio-N on the yield and quality of vegetables particularly bitter gourd. Pre-germinated bitter gourd seeds were moistened with varying levels of dissolved Bio-N inoculant prior to planting. Six treatments were evaluated: T0-Control (No Bio-N), T1-25g Bio-N per 100 mL water, T2-50g Bio-N per 100 mL water, T3-75g Bio-N per 100 mL water, T4-100g Bio-N per 100 mL water, T5-125g Bio-N per 100 mL water. The highest germination rate was recorded in T1 (78%) followed by T2 (75.7%). T3 plants were the earliest to flower at 36.5 days. Plants in the control treatment were the first to be harvested at 62.5 days. T2 had the least pest and disease incidence. The most number of non-marketable fruits was obtained in T1 with an average of 2 non-marketable fruits per hill. The highest average weight per fruit (260 g) and the highest marketable yield (1.53 kg) on a per hill basis was recorded in T2. Result of the study showed that bitter gourd was most responsive to T2 (50g Bio-N per 100 mL water). Plants subjected to this treatment showed good germination rate, highest marketable (1.53 kg) and lowest non-marketable yield (0.58 kg), highest average weight per fruit (260.58 g), and the least damage from pests and diseases.
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