Background of the study

Bitter gourd (Momordica charantia L.) also known as bitter apple or bitter melon or
balsam pear, is a tropical vine belonging to family Cucurbitaceae. The plant is cultivated
as medicinal as well as vegetable crop widely in India, China and South East Asia
(Gayathry et.al 2022). Bitter gourd grows well in mean air temperatures of 24-27 °C and
planted in a well-drained sandy loam or clay loam soil rich in organic matter. Optimum soil pH
is 6.0-6.7. (DA.,2023). The climatic and soil condition in Pantukan Davao de Oro is very suitable
for bitter gourd production. This crop is very nutritious, they are rich source of Vitamin A and C,
essential amino acids, folic acid, thiamine, riboflavin, carotenoids and minerals. (Jat et al 2023).
Bitter gourd or bitter melon is used as a folk medicine and contains many bioactive
components including triterpenoids, triterpene glycoside, phenolic acids, flavonoids,
lectins, sterols and proteins that show potential anticancer activity without significant
side effects. (Sur et al.,2020)

According to the study of (Rozita et al., 2022). Malaysia faces a significant challenge in its
vegetable industry as it can only produce one-third of the total vegetables needed for its domestic
market. This results in a gap between domestic production and consumer demands. including the

bitter gourd production, which showed a decreasing trend in 2018 compared to the previous year.

In 2021 there are shortage expected happen supply, shortfall is being projected for
lowland vegetables such as ampalaya (bitter gourd), According to Mr. U-Nichols A.
Manalo (DA High-Value Crops Program Director) stated that even if theres a projected
supply deficit of lowland vegetables based on the data, people in the provinces have
access to other vegetables, supply-demand gap in lowland vegetables is estimated at
378,064.51 metric tons (MT) (BusinessWorld 2021).

. According to the survey of Philippine statistic authority (PSA,.2023) by first quarter of

2023 ampalaya fruit production increased to 18.94 thousand metric tons from 18.79
thousand metric tons output in the same period of 2022. central Luzon posted the
largest production with 7.64 thousand metric tons, sharing 40.3 percent to the total of
Ampalaya fruit in this quarter, then followed by Ilocos region with 19.7 percent share
and Calabarzon with 12.7 percent share.

Although bitter gourd production was profitable, both global and local farmers faced
several problems such as lack of training and technical knowledge, inadequate
extension services, lack of marketing facilities in using IPM technology.Khatun(2021).
Both global and local, Low price of bitter gourd, high labor wage rate, and high input
price was the main socio-economic constrain for improving bitter gourd production
where excessive rainfall, attack by insect and disease, lack of quality seed, and lack of
proper utilization of irrigation facilities were identified as main biophysical constraints for
bitter gourd production.

In this study, the researchers have considered using different mulching materials upon
raising Bitter gourd. By utilizing different mulching materials designated as: Control (no
mulching), (sawdust), (chicken dung) and (Black Polyethylene). Mulching is spreading
various covering materials on the surface of the soil to minimize moisture losses and
weed population and enhance crop yield .Iqbal et al. (2020). There are two basic kinds
of mulch: organic and inorganic: Organic mulches include formerly living material such
as chopped leaves, straw, grass clippings, compost, wood chips, shredded bark,
sawdust, and even paper. Meanwhile, Inorganic mulches include black plastic and
geotextiles (landscape fabrics). Both types of mulch discourage weeds, but organic
mulches also improve the soil as they decompose (Declirico., 2022).

Statement of the Problem

This study will determine the influence of the different mulching practices on the yield
performance of Okra. Specifically, it will seek to answer the following questions:

1. Will the different mulching practices significantly affect the yield of bitter gourd?
2. Will there be a significant difference between treated plants and the control
regarding the yield of bitter gourd?
3. Will there be a significant difference between treatments?

Hypotheses

1.There will be a significant effect of the different mulching practices on the yield
of bitter gourd.

2.There will be a significant difference between the treated plants and the control
regarding the yield of gourd.

3.There will be a significant difference between treatment.

Review of Related Literature

Bitter Gourd

The bitter gourd (Momordica charantia L.) are belongs to the Cucurbitaceae
family and the genus Momordica. It also known as bitter gourd, bitter melon, or
balsam pear. Bitter gourd has been widely consumed as an herbal medicine and
vegetable in tropical or subtropical regions worldwide for thousands of years.
(Yan et al., 2021). Bitter gourd is widely cultivated as edible fruit in Africa, Asia
 and the Caribbean. Its many varieties differ substantially in the shape and
bitterness of the fruit. Bitter melon originated in India and was introduced into
China in the 14th century. It is the richest source of vitamin C and protein as
compared to tomato and cucumber. (Zafar et al., 2020). Bitter gourd has the
potential to address several challenges including the problems were categorized
under the title of input related, finance, market related, technical and others, it
was observed that majority of the bitter gourd growers faced the problems about
high cost of inputs, lack of financial agencies, unavailability of credit at marginal
interest, lack of knowledge about export quality produce, high fluctuation in
market prices and malpractices of merchants in the markets. (Tankodara., 2021)

Bitter Gourd Production

In the USA, Momordica charantia is relatively unknown and is usually found in

specialty markets. (Perez et al., 2018)

Bitter Gourd Health Benefits and Nutritional Values

Bitter gourd also rich in various bioactive components containing

minerals, alkaloids, vitamins, steroidal saponins, polypeptide and aromatic volatile oil,
apart
from its usage as vegetable. Bitter gourd has ability to fight against numerous life
style associated disorders, due to the presence of bioactive components

Mulching Practices

Mulching has several essential applications, including reducing soil water loss and soil erosion, enriching

soil fauna, and improving soil properties and nutrient cycling in the soil. It also reduces the pH of the soil,

which improves nutrient availability. Mulching reduces soil deterioration by limiting runoff and soil loss,

and it increases soil water availability by reducing evaporation, managing soil temperature, or reducing

crop irrigation requirements. (El-Beltagi et al.,2022)

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