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Wild Crop Relatives: Genomic and Breeding Resources pp 217–246Cite as

Momordica

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Abstract

Species of Momordica are being grown in wild and/or cultivated forms all over the tropical part of the world. Their cultivation is restricted to specialized geographical pockets in different agrogeographical regions mainly by tribals and poor farming communities. The wild species offer great resources for breeding of cultivated bitter gourd for desirable edible/qualitative traits, tolerance of abiotic stresses, and resistance to several insect pests. The identification and incorporation of resistance to economically important pests such as fruit fly and various foliar pathogens is important for bitter gourd production. Genes for resistance to several crop-limiting pests and pathogens are, however, not found in the cultivated M. charantia var. charantia. Observations on in situ conservation in forest habitats indicate the possibility of setting up genetic reserves for various Momordica species in India. Besides, the indigenous traditional knowledge related to the cultivation and uses of these traditional vegetables are also at the risk of getting lost at household and community level. Considering their potential nutraceutical values, these traditional vegetables could contribute in a major way to the food security and balanced diets of rural households and possibly urban households as well. However, further research on other aspects such as nutritional profile and bioavailability, genetic improvement, and better cultivation practices is necessary.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Division of Vegetable Science, Indian Agricultural Research Institute, New Delhi, 110012, India

    T. K. Behera & L. K. Bharathi

  2. National Bureau of Plant Genetic Resources (ICAR, KAU (P.O.), Thrissur Dt, Kerala, 680656, India

    K. Joseph John

  3. ICAR Research Complex for NEH Region, Sikkim Centre, Tadong Post, Gangtok, Sikkim, 737102, India

    R. Karuppaiyan

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  4. R. Karuppaiyan
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Correspondence to T. K. Behera .

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  1. Institute of Nutraceutical Research, Clemson University, Jordan Hall 109, Clemson, 29634, South Carolina, USA

    Chittaranjan Kole

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Behera, T.K., John, K.J., Bharathi, L.K., Karuppaiyan, R. (2011). Momordica. In: Kole, C. (eds) Wild Crop Relatives: Genomic and Breeding Resources. Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-642-20450-0_10

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