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On the development of descriptors in small bitter gourd (Momordica charantia L. var. muricata (Willd.) Chakrav)

  • Notes on Neglected and Underutilized Crops
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Abstract

Small bitter gourd (Momordica charantia L. var. muricata (Willd.) Chakrav.) is an under-utilized vegetable with ethnobotanical and therapeutic values, under domestication interphase. This taxon deserves a distinct crop status, owing to the existence of well-marked distinguishing morphological traits, unique flavour and taste apart from M. charantia var. charantia, wide variability within the taxon, preferential cultivation by the traditional farmers in Indian subcontinent and occurrence of distinct, named landraces. However, presently this crop is facing a threat of genetic erosion, restricting mostly at the homestead level throughout the region. In the present study, seventy-four small bitter gourd collections from across India were assessed for understanding morphological variability and their classification, and further devising key descriptors helpful for effective characterization and utilization. In order to describe it under a distinct taxon level, botanical description is also worked out. Morphological traits such as shape and lobing of leaf, shape and size of fruit, nature of tubercles and ridges, and size, shape and colour of seeds, besides robustness and extended growth period, showed remarkable character differentiation from cultivated bitter gourd. A set of 45 characterization and 35 evaluation descriptors have been developed, out of which 27 characterization and 26 evaluation descriptors are categorized under the minimum descriptor list.

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Acknowledgements

The authors are thankful to the Department of Biotechnology, Goverment of India for financial assistance under the project on “Collection, conservation, taxonomy, diversity, cytology, molecular characterization and nutritional analysis of Momordica subangulata Blume subsp. subangulata and other edible species of Momordica L. from Northeast India“. Continued support and logistic facilities provided by the Director, ICAR- National Bureau of Plant Genetic Resources, New Delhi, New Delhi, is also acknowledged.

Funding

The financial support for the experiment was provided by the Department of Biotechnology, Govt. of India under the project “Collection, conservation, taxonomy, diversity, cytology, molecular characterization and nutritional analysis of Momordica subangulata Blume subsp. subangulata and other edible species of Momordica L. from Northeast India”.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. ICAR-National Bureau of Plant Genetic Resources, Regional Station, Thrissur, Kerala, 680656, India

    A. Suma, M. A. Alfia, K. Joseph John, K. Pradheep, P. P. Thirumalaisamy & M. Latha

  2. ICAR-National Bureau of Plant Genetic Resources, Pusa Campus, New Delhi, 110012, India

    G. D. Harish

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  1. A. Suma
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Contributions

All authors contributed to the study conception, design and preparation. AS is the crop curator, carried out the characterization work, statistical analysis, interpretation of results, photography, and drafted the manuscript. MAA recorded field observations, drawing the illustrations, KJJ, KP, GDH and ML provided the germplasm collections, editing and taxonomy related studies, PPT took general observations on major pests and diseases, photography, drafting and editing. All authors read and approved the final manuscript.

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Correspondence to A. Suma.

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Suma, A., Alfia, M.A., John, K.J. et al. On the development of descriptors in small bitter gourd (Momordica charantia L. var. muricata (Willd.) Chakrav). Genet Resour Crop Evol 70, 289–308 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10722-022-01494-4

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