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Wild and cultivated genetic resources of Cucurbitaceae in Eastern Ghats A. Trichosanthes tricuspidata B. Benincasa hispida C. Citrullus colocynthis D. Citrullus lanatus E. Coccinia grandis F. Corallocarpus epigaeus G. Cucumis melo H. Cucumis sativus I. Cucurbita maxima J. Cucurbita moschata K. Diplocyclos palmatus L. Legenaria siceraria 

Wild and cultivated genetic resources of Cucurbitaceae in Eastern Ghats A. Trichosanthes tricuspidata B. Benincasa hispida C. Citrullus colocynthis D. Citrullus lanatus E. Coccinia grandis F. Corallocarpus epigaeus G. Cucumis melo H. Cucumis sativus I. Cucurbita maxima J. Cucurbita moschata K. Diplocyclos palmatus L. Legenaria siceraria 

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Wild plant genetic resources of economic importance to the local people and even the national community are often neglected in germplasm expeditions and conservation activities in the Eastern Ghats, India. It is due to the lack of documented information on their usefulness. Cucurbitaceae or gourd family is of considerable economic importance and is...

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... the conservation of genetic resources of the Eastern Ghats. A total of 38 wild and cultivated species belonging to 17 genera were collected and identified in the Eastern Ghats of Peninsular India. ( Figure 2 and 3) Out of 38 species, 30 were used medicinally, 33 were edible, 6 were used as fodder and 2 were found to be poisonous to humans and their domestic animals. These medicinal plants are known to cure different ailments. The main ailments in the study area were leprosy, boils, pimples, diuretic, snakebites, diarrhea, dysentery, eczema, diabetes, cough, malaria, asthma, epilepsy, antioxidant etc., Half of the remedies for the above ailments are taken orally, followed by external applications. 33 species of fruits are used as vegetables. In Citrullus colocynthis , Cucurbita maxima, Momordica charantia, M. cymbalaria, M. dioica and M. ...

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... Most of the Cucurbitaceae members are climbers and are identified by their tendrils, angular stems, and pepo fruit. The important vegetable crops under cucurbits are Momordica, Luffa, Lagenaria, Cucumis, Benincasa, and Trichosanthes (Murthy et al. 2013) which are considerably cultivated in the subtropical and tropical countries of the world (Ajuru and Nmom 2017). ...
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Solena amplexicaulis (Lam.) Gandhi is a creeping cucurbit with high medicinal values in terms of its therapeutic uses. Traditionally, this plant species is used as a folklore medicine for the treatment of various disorders like spermatorrhea, urinary retention, jaundice, and cardiovascular disorders. Owing to high medicinal importance, it is overexploited, which has resulted in decrease in its population size in the wild. Furthermore, its natural propagation through root tubers and seeds is limited. In view of this constraint, the present study of in vitro micropropagation was chosen as an alternative for its propagation and conservation. Murashige and Skoog (MS) media amended with plant growth regulators like 6-benzylaminopurine (BAP) and thidiazuron (TDZ) independently and with a combination of indole-3-acetic acid (IAA) were tested for in vitro shoot induction by using nodal explants. The highest number of shoots (32.84±0.02) per explant was achieved on Murashige and Skoog (MS) medium with 1.0 mg L-1 TDZ and 1.5 mg L-1 IAA. The induced shoots were elongated with a maximum shoot length of 10.25±0.01 cm on MS medium augmented with 2.0 mg L-1 gibberellin (GA3) and 1.5 mg L-1 TDZ. Rooting of in vitro raised shoots was attained on half-strength MS medium fortified with 1.0 mg L-1 indole-3-butyric acid (IBA) and 2.0% sucrose. The hardening of resultant complete plantlets was carried out in plastic cups by using a 2:1 ratio of sterile black soil and sand; initially, they were kept in greenhouse conditions and subsequently shifted to natural field conditions with 78% of survival rate. The genetic fidelity of tissue-cultured plants was confirmed by ISSR (inter simple sequence repeats) and SCoT (starting codon targeted) primer-based analysis.
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Solena amplexicaullis (Lam.) Gandhi, is a multipurpose minor cucurbit with occasional occurrence in biodiversity hotspots of Asian subcontinent and most of the plant parts are used for traditional medicine. Farmers are involved in cultivation and conservation of this species based on ethno botanical and traditional knowledge, completely unaware of its nutritional attributes and economic potential. Its botany, biochemical and nutritional traits alongwith adapted agronomical practices, propagation and future prospects are discussed here. This preliminary study will be useful for identification, distribution and standardization of sustainable management practices for its commercial cultivation as a vegetable in the human diet.