Table of Contents

1.Introduction.- 2.Description and Crop production.- 3.Origin, Domestication and Distribution.- 4.Taxonomy and Biosystematics.- 5.Ethnobotany and Nutritive value.- 6.Cytogenetics and Genetics.- 7.Genetic Resources, Germplasm Characterization/Evaluation and Maintenance.- 8.Crop Improvement.

About the Author

Dr. L.K. Bharathi, Scientist, Central Horticultural Experiment Station, Bhubaneswar He was born on 20/03/1974 and is presently working as a Scientist at Central Horticultural Experiment Station, a regional research station of Indian Institute of Horticultural Research, Bengaluru. He did his B.Sc. and M.Sc. Degrees from Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Coimbatore and Ph.D. from Indian Agricultural Research Institute, New Delhi. He joined in Agricultural Research Service as a Scientist at Central Agricultural Research Institute, Port Blair, in 1999 and has more than 13 years of experience in vegetable crop improvement especially in Momordica species. He has published more than 20 research papers in Indian and international journals of repute. Presently, he is engaged in the improvement of Momordica species through interspecific hybridization.

Dr. Joseph John K, Senior Scientist, NBPGR RS, Thrissur He was born on 20/03/1960 and is presently working as a Senior Scientist at the Thrissur Regional Station of the National Bureau of Plant Genetic Resources (NBPGR), New Delhi, the nodal agency for PGR management in India. He did his B.Sc. and M.Sc. degrees from the University of Kerala and Ph.D. from Mahatma Gandhi University, Kottayam. He joined ICAR service as ARS Scientist at VPKAS, Almora in 1986 and has over 26 years of experience in plant genetic resources management of tropical vegetables and tree fruits. He did his Ph.D. on “Ecogeography and genetic diversity of the genus Momordica L in India”. Under this work, the genus Momordica was revised for India; a new species endemic to Western Ghats was described and validly published; status of Assam kakrol was elucidated and ethnobotany of the genus in Western Ghats was documented, besides devising of descriptors and taxonomic key for dioecious and monoecius taxa and preparing ecogeographic conspectus for Momordica. He has carried out over 25 plant exploration and collection missions in Western Ghats, Andaman& Nicobar Islands, Lakshadweep and North Eastern states of India for cucurbits and other vegetables. He has published over 30 research papers in national/international journals. Presently, he is engaged in the Biosystematics of Indian entities of Cucumis and Abelmoschus.