Author(s)

Samba Balde^1,2*, Nicolas Cyrille Ayessou^1,2, Antoine Sambou³, Khadim Niane^1,2, Papa Guedel Faye^1,2, Mady Cisse^1,2, Codou Mar Diop^1,2

¹Polytechnic Higher School, Cheikh Anta Diop University, Dakar, Sénégal.
²Center for Studies on Food Safety and Functional Molecules (CESAM), Cheikh Anta Diop University, Dakar, Sénégal.
³Department of Agroforestry Assane Seck University of Ziguinchor, Sénégal.

Momordica charantia is a plant species widely used in food and traditional medicine. However, the germination techniques and the performances of M. charantia are poorly understood by the populations. This study aims to better understand the germination, growth and development characteristics, and yield of M. charantia. Three pretreatments of the seeds are used for the shortening of the pre-germination period: soaking the seeds in tap water for 24 hours (batch 2), in hot water at 80˚C (batch 3), for 24 hours and in the boiling water at 100˚C for 24 hours (batch 4). A control without soaking (batch 1) was also carried out. The seeds were sown in plastic boxes in the laboratory with sterile sand and directly in the nursery in polyethylene sleeves. The influence of the light factor (light and dark) and watering frequency (every day and every two days) on the growth and yield parameters was evaluated respectively in the laboratory and in the nursery. Germination, growth and yield parameters were determined. The results show that the light and frequency of watering factors have no influence (p > 0.05) on the rate and duration of seed germination unlike pretreatments. Thus, Batch1 and 2 exhibit significantly higher germination rates (70% ± 16%) than Lots 3 and 4 (21% ± 15%) in the laboratory and in the nursery. On the other hand in terms of germination time, batch 3 and 4 displayed shorter durations (14 days) than those batch1 and 2 (23 days). Growth parameters and yield (fruit and seeds) are strongly influenced by watering frequency, unlike pretreatments which only affect yield. Growth and yield parameters are significantly higher with daily watering than daily watering. Ultimately, this study showed that pretreatments have an influence on the duration and rate of germination as well as the frequency of watering on the performance of M. charantia.

Momordica charantia, Germination, Performance, Yield

Balde, S. , Ayessou, N. , Sambou, A. , Niane, K. , Faye, P. , Cisse, M. and Diop, C. (2021) Effects of Seed Pretreatment on Germination, Growth and Yield of Momordica charantia L.. Agricultural Sciences, 12, 39-57. doi: 10.4236/as.2021.121004.