Bitter gourd (Karela) is a fast-growing crop with strong demand, especially in summer months. Tunnel farming ensures higher yield, better fruit shape, and early harvest.
1️⃣ Seed Selection
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Choose hybrid varieties like Green Long, Nayan-101, Thar Green from reputed suppliers.
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Hybrid karela gives uniform, longer fruits and higher resistance to disease.
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About 2–2.5 kg seed per acre is required.
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Soak seeds in warm water for 6–8 hours before sowing to improve germination.
2️⃣ Fertilisers & Nutrition
Before Sowing:
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Apply 10–12 tons FYM per acre.
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Add DAP or MAP at the time of bed preparation.
After Germination / Transplant:
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Vegetative Stage: Nitrogen (Urea, Ammonium Sulphate) for vine development.
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Flowering & Fruiting: Balanced NPK + SOP (Potash) for fruit setting.
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Micronutrient sprays of Calcium, Boron, and Magnesium improve fruit quality.
3️⃣ Water Stress & Irrigation
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Bitter gourd prefers moist soil but is sensitive to waterlogging.
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Use drip irrigation for uniform moisture.
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Water daily in hot summer; every 2–3 days in cooler weather.
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Avoid water stress at flowering stage to prevent fruit drop.
4️⃣ Fungicides & Disease Control
Main fungal diseases: Downy mildew, Powdery mildew, Anthracnose.
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Use Alliete / Ridomil Gold for downy mildew.
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Nativo / Headline for powdery mildew.
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Maintain tunnel airflow to reduce fungal pressure.
5️⃣ Insecticides & Pest Control
Key pests: Fruit flies, Thrips, Whiteflies.
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Spinosad / Tracer for fruit flies.
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Imidacloprid for sucking insects.
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Use pheromone traps for fruit fly monitoring.
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Spray Emamectin Benzoate for caterpillars.
✅ Final Tips for Bitter Gourd
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Train vines on vertical nets for better air flow and higher production.
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Harvest fruits every 2–3 days; leaving overripe fruits reduces yield.
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Maintain tunnel temperature 22–32°C.
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