Notes on Luffa (Cucurbitaceae) Genetic Resources in India: Diversity Distribution, Germplasm Collection, Morphology and Use Pandey Anjula*, Pradheep K, Semwal DP Division of Plant Exploration and Germplasm Collection, National Bureau of Plant Genetic Resources, New Delhi-110012 *Author for Correspondence: Email: anjula@nbpgr.ernet.in
Online published on 10 July, 2014. Abstract Genus Luffa has two major cultivated species, namely, ridged gourd and sponge gourd exhibiting rich diversity in the Indian subcontinent. In the present communication data from germplasm collections of cultivated and wild Luffa by the National Bureau of Plant Genetic Resources from different phytogeographical regions of India have been used to pinpoint areas for future collection. Fruit and seed morphological characters were studied for developing field identification key. Some less known uses of Luffa are discussed in the perspective of genetic resources in India. Top Keywords Cucurbitaceae, Cultivated and wild species, Field identification key, Luffa, Morphology, Phytogeographical distribution. Top |