STUDY ON THE AGRONOMIC CHARACTERISTICS OF THE WILD BITTER MELON GERMPLASM “MAC KHAY KHAU” THAI NGUYEN PROVINCE

Abstract

Wild bitter melon Mac Khay Khau (Momordica charantia L. var. abbreviata Ser.) is an indigenous genetic resource naturally distributed in Thai Nguyen province, Vietnam and is used both as a vegetable and a medicinal plant. Research on its biological characteristics showed that this variety exhibits vigorous growth with a cycle from February to November every year and the plant was rarely affected by pests and diseases, especially powdery mildew and downy mildew. Fruits were small (length: 50.1 ± 6.54 mm; diameter: 35.02 ± 4.74 mm; weight: 11.41 ± 0.82 g), oval to oblong form, with a spiny, tuberculate surface. Seeds were polygonal, dark brown, a 100-seed weight of 11.0 g and a germination rate of 81.14%. Fresh fruit yield was 266.43 ± 25.74 g/plant, equivalent to 4.56 tons/ha. Sensory evaluation showed that the fruit and a mildly bitter tasted a sweet aftertaste.  Biochemical analysis revealed high contents of saponins (62.40 mg/g) and phenolic compounds (11.4%), along with essential vitamins (A, B6, C) and minerals (Ca, Mg, Fe, K), with no detectable heavy metals or toxins exceeding safety limits. Sensory evaluation rated the aroma as mild (4.64/5) and the taste as mildly bitter with a sweet aftertaste (4.84/5). This ndigenous genetic resource has the potential and advantage to produce high-value vegetable products, functional foods and medicinal herbs, contributing to the conservation of local biodiversity.