Evaluation of Sustainable Production Practices for Asian Vegetables (Luffa and Bitter Gourd) and their Mineral Nutrient Analysis in a Piedmont Soil of North Carolina

Aims: To reduce the inorganic fertilizers used to grow Asian vegetables (Luffa and Bitter gourds) by incorporating cover crops without compromising yield in piedmont soils of North Carolina

Study Design: A split-split plot design was used in this study with two main plot treatments and four rates of fertilizer as subplot treatments with four replications.

Place and Duration of Study: The study was conducted at the North Carolina A&T State University Farm, Greensboro, Guilford County, NC. from Fall, 2007 to Summer, 2008.

Methodology: Luffa (Luffa acutangula ‘Rama’) and bitter gourd (Momordica charantia ‘Comet’) were grown in a Mecklenburg Sandy Loam (fine, mixed, thermic ultic Hapludalfs) soil. Two cover crop treatments (Cover crop and no cover crop) and four fertilizer treatments (T1: 0-0-0, T2: 56-28-112, T3: 84-56-168, and T4: 168-112-224 N-P-K kg/ha) were studied to determine the yield of Asian vegetables in the Piedmont of North Carolina. The vegetables were hand harvested at weekly intervals for 9 weeks.

Results: Both luffa and bitter gourd yields increased with increase in rate of fertilizer. Cover crop treatment produced higher yields of luffa and bitter gourd compared to no cover crop treatment for all four fertilizer treatments. Statistical analysis has shown significantly higher yields (p=0.05) in T3 & T4 treatments for both luffa and bitter gourd. Cover crop residue incorporated in to the soil decomposed and released nitrogen which was utilized by the vegetable crops and the effect was evident in increased yields in cover crop treatment plots.

Conclusion: Asian vegetables (luffa and bitter gourd) were grown in piedmont soils of North Carolina and the study showed that T3 & T4 treatments produced higher yields than all other treatments. This study provides evidence that Asian vegetables – such as luffa and bitter gourd – can be grown successfully in the piedmont region of North Carolina.