Collection and preliminary evaluation of small bitter gourds (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Momordica charantia</Emphasis> L.) a relict vegetable of Southern Peninsular India |
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Authors: | K Joseph John V T Antony |
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Institution: | (1) National Bureau of Plant Genetic Resources (ICAR), KAU (P.O.), Thrissur, Kerala, 680656, India;(2) Department of Botany, St. Berchmans’ College, Changanacherry, Kerala, 686101, India |
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Abstract: | Small-fruited bitter gourds, the “pavel” and “pandi-pavel” described in Hortus Malabaricus, is nearly an extinct crop in Kerala
and rest of southern peninsular India. They are reported to have been cultivated extensively in the past. However, presently
its cultivation is restricted to a few home gardens in remote forest areas consequent on its replacement by large-fruited
cultivars over the last two centuries. Special traits like unique flavour, taste, medicinal properties and fruit fly tolerance
have enabled the perpetuation of this relict vegetable still in a few homesteads. Eleven named landraces have been collected
from South Western Ghats and Tamil Nadu plains and their seeds conserved in the genebank of NBPGR, New Delhi. Known as “uchie”
in Northern India and “methipavai” in Tamil, these miniature bitter gourds have different landrace names in specific pockets
of natural occurrence/cultivation. |
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Keywords: | Domestication Home gardens Landraces Momordica charantia L On farm conservation |
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