TITLE:
The Cytological Studies on Neglected and Underutilized Cucurbit Species with Special Reference to Chayote, an Under-Exploited Species
AUTHORS:
Sergio G. Olvera-Vazquez, Jorge Cadena-Iñiguez, Syed A. Gilani, Kazuo N. Watanabe
KEYWORDS:
Chayote, Sechiumedule, NUS, Nuclear Content, Chromosome Number, Cucurbit Species
JOURNAL NAME:
American Journal of Plant Sciences,
Vol.10 No.8,
August
12,
2019
ABSTRACT: Cucurbitaceae family contains important economic and medical crops, they
can be divided into two categories according to the worldwide consumption,
use, and production. The Cucurbit Popular Crops (CuPoC) are comprised of
cucumber, the Cucurbita group (pumpkin and squash), melon and watermelon.
On the other hand, Neglected and Underutilized Cucurbit Species (NUCuS)
group has been used as food sources, medicinal properties and elements
in the elaboration of different types of items. The NUCuS is represented in
this review work by bitter gourd, bottle gourd, chayote, ridge gourd, and
snake gourd, which are recognized mainly in Asia. The center of origin of the
majority of NUCuS was proposed to be in the Old World. In contrast, the
origin of chayote or Sechiumedule (Jacq.) Sw. was suggested in the New
World, precisely in Mesoamerican region based on linguistic uses and distribution
of wild relatives. The environmental factors along with artificial selection,
production systems and traditional knowledge have been influenced the
evolutionary history of NUCuS, Infraspecific variation of chayote has been
reported in Mexico over-described varietal groups. These descriptors were
determined based on biochemical and morpho-structural traits; however, cytogenetic
analyses are scarce. Specifically, chromosome and nuclear content
analyses are important to support botanical groups, analyze artificial selection
history, developing breeding and conservation programs. The present review
paper discusses agronomic and evolutionary importance based on cytological
evidence in NUCuS, mainly in the prominent chayote; with the perspective to
prompt breeding, conservation, cytology, structural and functional genomics
research for its sustainable utilization.