Indian Journal of Plant Genetic Resources

The experience of germplasm collecting over a decade has shown that wild species of Momordica are subjected to varied types of threats affecting their survival in India, especially in Peninsular South India. A numerical model was used for quantifying threat of genetic erosion, with the total score indicative of the magnitude of threat. The studies revealed a grave threat for M. dioica in its entire range and M. sahyadrica in the Western Ghats of Kerala. Overall, M. charantia var. muricata faces a medium level of threat across its geographic range. Habitat loss and fragmentation brought about by population pressure and developmental activities, poor distribution and low population density of Momordica species coupled with inadequate in situ conservation efforts, and acculturation of the forest dwelling communities are the major factors attributed to their heightened threat status affecting their long-term survival in the wild.