National Bureau of Plant Genetic Resources, Regional Station, Bishnupur, Shillong-793013, Meghalaya.
Cucurbits are a highly evolved group of plants, widely cultivated as vegetables and fruits. Eighteen out of about 100 species known to Occur in India, are cultivated. Many wild species and weedy relatives are important and could be utilized lor improving the cultivated types through breeding approaches. The origin, distribution, classification, morphology and climatic adaptation of cucurbits have been reviewed. A detailed account of the available diversity, distribution pattern and economic uses in respect of cultivated cucurbits has been enumerated. The role of wild relatives for improving the potential of cultivated types has been emphasized.
