Magneto-priming Effect on Seed Germination, Growth and Yield of Bitter Melon (Momordica Charantia L.)

Abstract

Background: Bitter melon (Momordica charantia L.) is an economically and medicinally important cucurbit. Improving its seed establishment, vegetative development, and yield through non-chemical pre-sowing treatments may support more efficient crop production. Aims: This study evaluated the effects of different static magnetic-field intensities and exposure durations on seed germination, vegetative growth, and yield of bitter melon, and identified the most effective treatment combination under field conditions. Methods: A field experiment was conducted at Navivasni village, Aravalli, Gujarat, from July to September 2022. Ten treatments were arranged in a randomised block design with three replicates. T1 was the untreated control, whereas T2–T10 comprised combinations of 70, 120, and 170 mT applied for 15, 20, or 25 minutes. Germination and selected vegetative and reproductive traits were assessed at specified days after sowing. Results: Treatment T9, consisting of 170 mT for 20 minutes, produced the best overall response. It recorded 60% germination, compared with 20% in the control. At 42 days after sowing, T9 produced 191.33 leaves, a leaf area of 182.78 cm², a total plant length of 317.70 cm, a shoot length of 266.63 cm, and a root length of 67.00 cm. It also recorded 46.67 fruits at 63 days after sowing, with fresh and dry fruit weights of 132.85 and 13.07 g, respectively, at 56 days after sowing. Conclusion: Under the tested conditions, magneto-priming at 170 mT for 20 minutes was the most effective treatment. Further multi-location and multi-season validation under diverse agroecological and seasonal conditions is required before wider field adoption.