From Dormancy to Growth: Decoding the pH Window for Momordica charantia Seed Germination

Sahira Bibi¹, Rozina Bibi¹, Rida Fatima¹, Muhammad Zubair², Zahir Hayat³, Nimrah Batool⁴, Rida Nisar⁵ and Ajmal Khan⁶*

¹Department of Botany, Gomal University D.I. Khan, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan
²Department of Botany, University of Science and Technology Bannu, Pakistan
³Department of Biotechnology and Genetic Engineering, Kohat University of Science and Technology, Pakistan
⁴Department of Plant Sciences, Quaid-i-Azam University, Pakistan
⁵Department of Horticulture, Gomal University, Dera Ismail Khan, Pakistan
⁶Department of Botany, Hazara University, Pakistan

*Corresponding Author: Muhammad Zubair, Department of Botany, University of Science and Technology Bannu, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, 28100 Pakistan.

DOI: 10.64258/3068-5532.2025.1010014

Submission Date: September 16, 2025

Published Date: September 27, 2025

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Abstract

Momordica charantia is commonly known as bitter melon or bitter gourd, which belongs to family of Cucurbitaceae. It has been used as folk medicine to treat various diseases, including diabetes, dysmenorrhea, eczema, jaundice, leprosy, leucorrhea, and piles. Soil pH influences a myriad of soil biological, chemical, and physical properties and processes that affect plant growth and biomass yield. This study was conducted to evaluate the acidic and basic solution effects on M. charantia seed germination in 2024. The trial was conducted at the Department of Botany, Government Postgraduate College Pahar Pur, Dera Ismail Khan, Pakistan. Two types of solutions, including acidic and basic, were used in this research. Before sowing seeds, the seeds were soaked in water for 24 hours to facilitate the germination process and to break dormancy due to hard seed coat of M. charantia. Morphological and physiological parameters are studied in this research. The highest shoot length, number of leaves, and root length were observed in M. charantia which was grown at slightly acidic to neutral pH (6 to 7), resulting in shoot length of 9.9 and 8.6 inches, number of leaves 2, and root length was 2 .9 and 2.4 inches, respectively. Similarly, leaf weight was maximum at slightly acidic to neutral pH (6 to 7), fresh weight was 4.2 g and 3.5 g, and dry weight was 2.8 g and 2.5 g, respectively. The highest chlorophyll a, chlorophyll b, and carotenoids are present at pH 6 and pH 7. We have identified the optimal conditions under which M. charantia seeds give a high germination percentage, ensuring maximum production

Keywords

Momordica charantia, pH, Acidic, Alkaline, Soil, Seed germination, Chlorophyll

Citation

Sahira B, Rozina B, Rida F, Zubair M, Zahir H, et al. (2025) From Dormancy to Growth: Decoding the pH Window for Momordica charantia Seed Germination: Current Situation and Solutions. Curr Tren Agron & Agric Res 1(3): 1-10. DOI: 10.64258/3068-5532.2025.1010014