Distribution and extent of diversity in Cucumis species in the Aravalli ranges of India

Among the 52 species reported in Cucumis, cucumber and muskmelon are the most important species, extensively cultivated by the human for consumption. Diversity has been reported in the wild species of Cucumis from India. Considering the status of genetic erosion of the variability in the various species of Cucumis, a total of 121 germplasm accessions of five different Cucumis species were collected through three explorations in the parts of Aravalli ranges of northwestern India. The paper presents the distribution, collection, extent of variability, associated indigenous traditional knowledge, conservation status of these Cucumis species and prospects of their utilization in crop improvement.