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.
Quick facts
- Type
- Open-pollinated
- Season
- Zaid / summer
- Maturity period
- First pick ~55–60 days
- Expected yield
- 12–16 t/ha
- Suitable soil
- Loam
- Release
- Released by ICAR-Indian Agricultural Research Institute (IARI), New Delhi
About this variety
Pusa Vishesh is an open-pollinated bitter gourd from ICAR-IARI, New Delhi, with a compact, less spreading vine that is easier to train and manage than most karela. The fruit is medium-long, dark green, glossy and only mildly bitter, which suits it to the fresh market and to households that find the traditional variety too bitter. The shorter vine allows closer spacing, so it works well on small plots and in kitchen gardens as well as in the field.
Key characteristics
Sowing & cultivation
- SpacingCan be grown at closer spacing than most karela because of the compact vine; still best on a bower
Yield & maturity
Maturity period
First pick ~55–60 days
Expected yield
12–16 t/ha
Actual yield depends on sowing time, soil, irrigation, weather, seed quality and crop management.
Pest & disease considerations
Major diseases
- No special resistance claimed
Advantages & considerations
Why farmers may choose it
- Compact, less spreading vine — easier to train and manage
- Milder bitterness suits the fresh market and household use
- Works well at closer spacing on small plots and in kitchen gardens
Things to consider
- No special disease resistance — manage the melon fruit fly and mildews
- Open-pollinated, so lower ceiling yield than the hybrids on a commercial bower crop
Suitable regions
States this variety is recommended for — check locally, since a state can have more than one recommended zone.
- Haryana
- Punjab
- Maharashtra
- Uttar Pradesh