Genetic Resources and Genetic Diversity in Bitter Gourd

The genus Momordica comprises important group of vegetables including bitter gourd which is a widely cultivated species in different parts of the world. Most of the species under this genus are distributed in Asia, and a few are domesticated in the African region. Among the 45 species of Momordica reported worldwide, six are found in India. Understanding the species diversity, gene pool and genetic resources are keys to utilize the desirable traits present in the different wild relatives and feral forms. The primary gene pool of M. charantia consists of different variants under this species, besides M. balsamina. It is possible to derive a few fertile hybrids through crossing of M. charantia with M. balsamina because of their same chromosome number. The secondary gene pool consists of other species of Momordica, which may produce a few fertile hybrids through pollination involving a large number of flower buds. The tertiary gene pool consists of other species of Momordica and different other genera of Cucurbitaceae from where it is possible to transfer the desirable traits using special tools like protoplast fusion. In the species M. charantia, a huge diversity is reported for important morphological traits including fruit shape, size, yield, and earliness besides several other vegetative and commercial traits. The genus Momordica is known for its antidiabetic and other medicinal properties. Huge diversity is reported in terms of concentration of different phytomedicinal compounds including momordicin, momorcharin, β-carotene, and lycopene. While studying diversity in molecular level, RAPD, ISSR, SSR, and other sequence-based markers were used that revealed the molecular diversity. The combined information available in terms of morphological, nutritional, and molecular diversity present in this important crop can help the breeder in deciding the breeding material and approach to harness more productivity and enhance nutritional traits in bitter gourd using different methods.