Pusa Purvi: A Promising Small-Fruited Bitter Gourd Variety for High-Density Planting

Bitter Gourd, scientifically known as Momordica charantia var. muricata, is a widely cultivated and consumed vegetable in India with great importance due to its unique taste and health benefits. Among the many varieties of bitter gourd, Pusa Purvi stands out as a revolutionary choice for farmers. Released and notified for cultivation in the National Capital Region of Delhi and adjoining areas, this variety combines high yield, excellent nutritional value, and pest tolerance, making it an ideal choice for modern agricultural practices.

Key Features of Pusa Purvi

Pusa Purvi has several distinct traits that make it a standout variety. The plants have compact growth habits with a vine length of just 1.5 to 2 meters which makes them ideal for high-density cultivation. The fruits are small, dark green, very attractive, and pointedly tuberculated with crispy texture and are 4-5 cm in length and 3-4 cm in diameter. The leaves are small and green with a very deeply lobed margin, and the plant has a monoecious flowering pattern, where the male and female flowers can be seen on the same plant. Fruits of Pusa Purvi get ready to harvest within 50-55 days from sowing and thus facilitate early returns. 

Nutritional Benefits

They are also rich in essential nutrients, including Vitamin C 124.34 mg/100 g, calcium 43.03 mg, manganese 3.49 mg, zinc 4.99 mg, and iron 3.2 mg, thus making them a healthy choice for consumers. In addition, the fruits show strong antioxidant activity that contributes to their health benefits.

Benefits for Growers and Consumers

Farmers benefit significantly from cultivating Pusa Purvi due to its prolific bearing and suitability for high-density planting, which increases yield per unit area. Its early maturity ensures quicker turnover, while its pest tolerance, particularly against fruit flies, reduces crop losses and the need for chemical interventions. For consumers, the variety offers excellent organoleptic qualities, including a unique flavor and crispy texture, making it ideal for stuffed preparations like Bharwa karela.

Cultivation Practices

Pusa Purvi thrives in hot and dry climates, making it suitable for subtropical regions. The plant can thrive in almost all types of soils, though specific perfect growth in either sandy loam or loamy soils.

Seeds should be treated before sowing with Captaf at 2 g/L of water for 24-30 hours to control seed-borne diseases. The field is prepared with channels 45 cm in width and 30-40 cm in depth, spaced at 1.5-2.0 meters from each other. Seeds are sown on the northern slopes of the channels at 50 cm intervals.

Nutrient management is an important aspect of successful cultivation. Farmers must apply 15-20 tonnes of FYM per hectare, along with the recommended doses of nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium fertilizers during soil preparation. Nitrogen application should be split between the vining and early fruit setting stages.

Irrigation depends on the season. It will be light irrigation every 4-6 days in summer and weekly during the kharif season if rainfall is inadequate. Regular weeding and pest management are necessary to keep the crop healthy and yielding.

Pest and Disease Management

Pusa Purvi’s natural tolerance to fruit flies reduces pest-related challenges, but additional measures can enhance protection. Installing pheromone traps (10 traps/ha) and using bait traps with Malathion helps control fruit flies effectively. For other insects, foliar application of Imidacloprid at 10-15 day intervals for 60 days post-transplanting is recommended.

Disease management includes spraying fungicides like Karathane or Bavistin to control powdery mildew and Redomil MZ for downy mildew. Farmers should avoid sulfur-based treatments, as bitter gourd is highly sensitive to sulfur. Early detection and removal of virus-infected plants, coupled with whitefly control using Carbaryl or Spinosad sprays, are vital for preventing the spread of diseases.

Yield and Recommendations

Under standard spacing (2.0 m × 0.5 m), Pusa Purvi yields approximately 9.5 tonnes per hectare. However, by adopting closer spacing (1.5 m × 0.5 m), farmers can achieve up to 12 tonnes per hectare. The variety is recommended for cultivation in the National Capital Region, adjoining states like Haryana and Uttar Pradesh, and the eastern and northeastern regions where small-fruited bitter gourds are traditionally grown.

Pusa Purvi, which combines high yield, excellent nutritional quality, and insect resistance, is a major breakthrough in bitter gourd agriculture. It is a financially feasible choice for farmers because to its early maturity and appropriateness for high-density planting. Growers can increase profitability and help ensure that there is a market for wholesome, adaptable vegetables by implementing it.

(Source: ICAR)