Effect of Compost on Growth Characteristics and Macronutrients Concentration in Momordica Charantia L. Under Moisture Stress

The present study was performed to evaluate compost effects on growth components and uptake of some macronutrients by Momordica Charantia L. under water stress. The greenhouse experiment was conducted in 2021 as factorial in a completely randomized design with three replications. Treatments included five levels of compost (0, 15%, 30%, 45%, and 60% by weight) and three levels of water stress (irrigation at 80% FC (control), 60%FC (moderate water stress) and 40%FC (severe water stress). The results showed that water application at 60% and 40%FC resulted in reduction of, respectively, 35.8% and 60.8% in shoot dry weight, 30.7% and 56.3% in plant height, 15.9% and 42.3% in fruit weight, 18.1% and 27.2% in number of fruits, 29.4% and 46.7% in fruit length, 13% and 30.7% in N, 21.7% and 52.1% in P, and 28.2% and 36.7% in K concentration compared to the control. The use of different levels of compost as a culture medium for bitter melon had a significant effect on growth characteristics of the plant. Maximum shoot dry weight (93.99 g.pot-1), plant height (351.38 cm), fruit weight (23.56 g.pot-1), number of fruits (16.44), fruit length (13.48 cm), N (2.01%), P (0.2%) and K concentration (2.2%) were observed in culture medium with 45% compost. Thus, the best level of compost application was 45% by weight of compost for Bitter melon. Based on the results, culture medium containing 45% by weight of compost reduces the negative effects of water stress on bitter melon under stress conditions.