Status, diversity and potential of indigenous and minor cucurbitaceous vegetables

Abstract

The main goal of research on cucurbits in India is to double the productivity on sustainable basis. The breeding programmes have been shifted towards development of biotic stress and abiotic resistant varieties/hybrids coupled with quality attributes. Cucurbit breeding strategy and targets are dependent on consumer demand. Indigenous cucurbitaceous vegetables like cucumber, bitter gourd, pointed gourd, ash gourd, teasel gourd etc. have significant nutritional, medicinal and economic importance due to presence of several bioactive compounds responsible for therapeutic activities, usefulness for processing purpose and comparatively higher market price. Pointed gourd and teasel gourd are highly suitable for small and marginal farmers due to their high market value and minimal price fluctuation. In present time, there is a large Indian population residing in foreign countries especially in middle east Asia, south east Asia, Australia, USA, Canada etc. and there is huge demand of indigenous cucurbit vegetables i.e. pointed gourd, bitter gourd, ridge gourd, ivy gourd. Farmers may benefit from export of these vegetables.