Cytological studies in some species of Momordica

✍ Scribed by R. N. Trivedi; R. P. Roy

• Publisher: Springer Netherlands
• Year: 1972
• Tongue: English
• Weight: 439 KB
• Volume: 43
• Category: Article
• ISSN: 0016-6707
• DOI: 10.1007/bf00123635

✦ Synopsis

In the genus Momordiva thlee specms, M. charantia, M. balsamina and M. dioica, have been cytologically investigated. M. dioica has a more asymmetrical karyotype than the other two species.

Meiosis in the three species is regular. The strictly monoecious M. charantia and M. balsamina show similarity in the range and frequency of bivalents and chiasmata, whereas M. dioica, a dioecious species, has fewer half chiasmata per chromosome. The evolutionary significance of perennial and annual habits along with allogamous and autogamous breeding systems is discussed. The incompatibility between 2n = 22 and 2n = 28 species in this genus is strongly indicated by the negative results of crossings between M. charantia and M. balsamina on one side and M. dioica on the other. The possible origin of M. dioica from M. charantia is discussed.