Effect of nitrogen and potassium fertilization on the yield and quality of Momordica charantia fruits

�� Summary Nitrogen as ammonium nitrate in three doses: of 100, 200 and 300 kg/acre and potassium as sulphate in graded doses of 50 and 100 kg/acre were added using side dressing to Momordica charantia to assess their effects on fruit yield and active constituents. Nitrogen alone in graded doses increased the fruit production up to 200 kg of ammonium nitrate/acre, also all doses of potassium increased fruit production proportionally to doses. The highest number of fruits was produced with use of the combined medium nitrogen dose and high potassium doses. The obtained data revealed that higher fruit number with higher fresh and dry weight could be obtained by adding nitrogen at 200 kg/acre with potassium at a rate of 100 kg/acre. Arbor or vineyard like method of cultivation gave more fruits with higher fresh and dry weights than normal method of cultivation. Polypeptide in immature fruits increased by nitrogen till 200 kg/acre and the combination of medium dose of nitrogen and any rate of potassium produced the highest polypeptide concentration. The same treatment combination has similar effect on cucurbitacins in immature fruits.