Effect of different planting dates on the growth and yield of underutilized medicinal vegetable Karchikai (Momordica cymbalaria) under northern dry zone of Karnataka

Planting dates of Underutilized medicinal vegetable Karchikai (Momordica cymbalaria) is an important factor influencing growth and productivity. An experiment on Karchikai was conducted at KRCCH, Arabhavi, and Belgaum district during 2017 to determine the best date of planting for obtaining higher yield. Experiment comprises of four dates of sowing viz. June 1st, July 1st, August 1st and September 1st of 2017. The parameters were days to sprouting, sprouting percentage, days to flowering, number of fruits per vine, vine length (cm), average fruit weight (g), number of fruits per vine, yield per plant and yield per hectare. The results were significantly differed at 5% level of probability. The study showed that tubers planting on June 1st speed up days to sprouting, Sprouting percentage, flowering, vine length (cm), average fruit weight (gm) yield per plant (kg). The yield results indicated that June 1st is the best date of planting for higher production and also early planting give better yield performance than late planting.