Science, Technology and Development 35 (2): 94-97, 2016 ISSN 0254-6418 / DOI: 10.3923/std.2016.94.97 © 2016 Pakistan Council for Science and Technology Seedling Age Impact on Growth and Yield of Bitter Gourd Ghulam Jellani, Muhammad Jawaad Atif, Hidayat Ullah, Taj Naseeb Khan and Noor Saleem Department of Horticultural Research and Development, Directorate of Vegetable, National Agricultural Research Centre, Islamabad, Pakistan Abstract: Field experiments were conducted to determine the growth and yield of bitter gourd in response to seedling age during the years 2011 and 2012. Minimum days to 1st picking, maximum availability period, yield and net profit were observed in 40 days old seedlings and 100% survival rate was observed in all three (40, 50 and 60 days) ages of seedlings. Seedlings of varying ages did not fluctuate greatly in yield and yield components in the field, although, all seedlings had higher early yields than the directly seeded controls. Maximum gross margin (US $1777.7 haG 1 ) was achieved in 40 days old seedling as compared to direct seeded crop (US $337.5 haG 1 ). Results from these experiments suggest that 40 days may be reasonable target age for transplanting bitter gourd seedlings. Key words: Cucurbits, bitter gourd, early crop and seedling INTRODUCTION Bitter gourd (Momordica charantia L.) is one of the most popular vegetables in Southeast Asia. It is a member of the cucurbitaceous family along with cucumber, squash, watermelon and muskmelon. Native to China or India, the fast-growing vine is grown throughout Asia and is becoming popular worldwide (Palada and Chang, 2003). In Pakistan, bitter gourd is cultivated at an area of 6107 hectares with an annual production of 57190 t (GOP., 2014). Seedlings are used comprehensively to establish a range of vegetable crops, including cucurbit species. Considerable research has been conducted concerning production, quality and establishment of vegetable transplants, particularly for certain solanaceous, cruciferous and cucurbit crops (Hall, 1989). The performance of any crop depends upon the quality of the seed used for sowing, various environmental factors, type of cultivar and cultural practices, etc. Among all these factors, optimum age of seedling is one of the factors, which affect growth and yield, but generally, this factor is ignored by the farmers. The optimum seedling age depends on the soil, environmental factors (temperature, moisture), location and cultural practices (Weston, 1988). Best possible vegetable crop production can only be accomplished if successful stand establishment is achieved first, as each plant contributes to total crop yield (Orzolek, 1996). Many vegetable growers use seedlings to improve stand establishment. Some advantages of using seedlings as compared to direct seeding of crops include more proficient use of expensive hybrid seed, prevention of adverse environments such as cool soils, enlarged crop uniformity and improved earliness of crop productivity (NeSmith and Duval, 1998). Successful use of transplanted seedlings depends largely on the ability of the plants to resume growth rapidly following transplanting (McKee, 1981). Several studies have compared yields and above-ground growth of seedlings and direct seeded cucurbit crops (Hall, 1989; NeSmith and Duval, 1998). The rate of root production has a direct influence on nutrient acquirement and successive crop yield (Barber and Silberbush, 1984). The type of root system developed for seedlings can differ from that of direct seeded plants, mainly for crops having a prominent tap root system (Leskovar and Stoffella, 1995). The growth and development of roots and shoots are in proportion and any disorder to their proportion can change crop growth (Taylor and Arkin, 1981). Several investigations have concentrated on the influence of seedling age on subsequent crop performance. The objective of this research was to examine the effect of seedling age on growth and yield of bitter gourd. MATERIALS AND METHODS Experiments were conducted at Directorate of Vegetable, DHRD, NARC, Islamabad, during 2011 and 2012. Location of experimental site is at 73.08° (longitude), 33.42° (latitude) and 683 msl (Elevation). Bitter gourd was transplanted or direct seeded in the field in a randomized complete block design (RCBD) with three replications. Following four treatments were made in spring 2011 and 2012 under field condition. T 0 : Traditional direct sowing practice, T 1 : 40 days old Corresponding Author: Muhammad Jawaad Atif, Department of Horticultural Research and Development, Directorate of Vegetable, National Agricultural Research Centre, Islamabad, Pakistan 94