Pusa Hybrid-1

Pusa Hybrid-1 is an F1 hybrid bitter gourd from ICAR-IARI, New Delhi, bred for a higher and more uniform yield than the open-pollinated varieties. The vines are vigorous and the fruit is medium-long, uniform and dark green, grading and displaying well for the commercial fresh market. It is one of the most widely grown karela hybrids in the northern plains and is best grown on a bower with a full fruit-fly control programme, where it comfortably out-yields the older open-pollinated types. Fresh hybrid seed must be bought each season.

Plant typeHybrid
MaturityFirst pick ~55–60 days
Yield potential18–22 t/ha
Disease resistanceVigorous; tolerant of common leaf diseases
SoilLoam
SeasonZaid / summer

• Seed rateAbout 2–2.5 kg/ha (under 1 kg/acre) — far less than an open-pollinated variety

Actual yield depends on sowing time, soil, irrigation, weather, seed quality and crop management.

• Uttar Pradesh
• Punjab
• Haryana
• Bihar

• Pusa Do Mausami

  A long-standing IARI open-pollinated variety that crops in both the summer and the rainy season — long, dark green, tapering fruit about 18 cm with medium tubercles.

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• Pusa Vishesh

  An IARI open-pollinated variety with a compact, less spreading vine and medium-long, dark green, glossy fruit with a mild bitterness — the shorter vine suits closer spacing and smaller plots.

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• Pusa Hybrid-2

  An IARI F1 hybrid with glossy dark green, slightly less bitter fruit and good early yield, suited to both seasons in the plains — uniform fruit that travels and displays well.

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• Arka Harit

  An ICAR-IIHR (Bengaluru) open-pollinated variety with spindle-shaped, glossy green fruit carrying smooth, regular tubercles and low seed content — popular in the south for its attractive, uniform fruit.

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• Kashi Pragati

  An ICAR-IIVR (Varanasi) open-pollinated variety (also sold as VRBT-77) with medium-long green fruit, early and steady bearing, and wide adaptability across the eastern and northern plains for both seasons.

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• Coimbatore Long (CO-1)

  A TNAU (Coimbatore) selection with extra-long, medium-green fruit up to 30–40 cm and a light bitterness, favoured in Tamil Nadu and the south where a long fruit sells well — best grown on a bower so the fruit hangs straight.

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