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.
Highlights
Plant Genetic Resources (PGR) hold potential traits to be used in cultivated plant improvement [1]
Neglected and Underutilized Cucurbit Species (NUCuS) is comprised of prominent crops to mitigate with current problems and has potential to become a staple food for low- and middle-income country (LMIC)
Cucurbitaceae family consists of many species, human uses rely basically on four of Cucurbit Popular Crops (CuPoC), increasing the agriculture vulnerability
Summary
Plant Genetic Resources (PGR) hold potential traits to be used in cultivated plant improvement [1]. The chayote has presence over the five continents and manipulated mainly for agriculture purposes for the last twenty years (Table 1) [25] Even though this species has been commercial, ignored in a vast part of the world, is a staple food some regions; yet is crucial to identify chayote’s limitations and propose innovative utilizations, detect gaps in conservation, breeding and crop improvement programs through the analysis of genetic diversity and cytological analysis [26]. For these reasons, the objective of this review paper is described current utilization and importance of NUCuS from six genera, discussing present cytology information available and highlighting the importance of research in this approach of the prominent chayote
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