Origin, distribution, taxonomy, botanical description, cytogenetics, genetic diversity and breeding of bitter gourd (Momordica charantia L.)

Bitter gourd (Momordica charantia L.; 2n= 2x=22.) belongs to the family Cucurbitaceae, the genus Momordica and the species Momordica charantia. It is known as bitter melon, bitter cucumber, bitter squash, balsam pear, karela, cassilla and maiden apple. It is also vernacularly designated as bitter melon, bitter squash, balsam pear, karela, bitter apple, or wild cucumber in different countries and regions The English name is Bitter Gourd, Hindi name is Karela, Sanskrit name is Karvellak, karvelli, Katphala, and Gujrati name is Karelo, Kadhwa. M. charantia originated in Africa and probably was domesticated in eastern India and southern China. It, is an important fast growing warm seasonal climbing annual cucurbit vegetable grown in tropics and subtropics. It is widely cultivated in India, China, Malaysia, Africa, and South America. The immature fruits are used as fried, stuffed, dried and pickled. It is mainly valued for its nutritional and medicinal properties. It has been used for centuries in the ancient traditional medicine of India, China, Africa, and Latin America. Bitter gourd fruits also possess anti-oxidant, anti-microbial, anti-viral, anti- diabetic activities. Among the cucurbits, bitter gourd is considered a prized vegetable because of its high nutritive values in respect of ascorbic acid and iron besides, its immense medicinal values, mainly, for its hypoglycemic properties. Fruit also contains two major alkaloids viz., momordicin and cucurbitacin; momordicin is the momordicoside glycoside of tetracyclic triterpinoides with cucurbitane skeleton (Vandana and Chandra, 1990). Success in any plant breeding program solely depends upon the existence of genetic variability present in the population. It is proved that larger the variability, greater is the scope for selection and improvement. Improvement in yield is normally attained through exploitation of the genetically diverse parents in hybrid breeding programs. Since, the crossing program involving genetically diverse parents is likely to produce high heterotic effects and also more variability could be expected in the segregating generations. In this review article origin, distribution, taxonomy, botanical description, cytogenetics, genetic diversity, breeding, uses, nutritional value, and health benefits of bitter gourd are discussed.