2Fruit Research Station, Basii, U.P.
U. P. Institute of Agricultural Sciences, Kanpur
1Present Address: Department of Agronomy, College of Agriculture, G.B.P. Uni. of Agric. & Tech. Pantnagar (Nainital), U.P.
*A part of thesis submitted to Kanpur University in 1969 for the award of M. Sc. Ag. (Horticulture) Degree to senior author.
Studies on floral biology in Momordica charantia L. showed that bitter-gourd plants started flowering 40 days after sowing and blooming period varied from 68 to 76 days. The male flower buds took on an average 17 to 19 days, whereas female buds took 21 to 22 days for their complete development. The anthesis started from 4.00 A.M. to 7.30 A.M. and flowers became fully open from 6.00 A.M. to 9.55 A.M. The dehiscence of anthers happened longitudinally within 6.10 A.M. to 8.55 A.M. The male flowers dropped off on the same day at 6.00 P.M. to 7.00 P.M., while female flowers withered away next morning. Pollen grains of bitter gourd were round in shape with three distinct germpores. Their size may vary from 42.69 to 46.95 microns within the varieties. The maximum pollen germination was observed in 20 per cent sucrose solution. The stigmatal receptivity was found maximum at the time of anthesis, beginning from 8 hours before anthesis and continuing upto 12 hours after anthesis.
