RESEARCH CONCERNING THE ACCLIMATIZATION AND BREEDING OF MOMORDICA COCHINCHINENSIS, A CUCURBITACEAE SPECIES

V.R.D.S. Buzau was interested in the acclimatization, breeding and crop production of rare plants since the station foundation in 1957. Rare Plants Laboratory was founded in 1962 and was led by the well known prof. Oros Victor. Here were cultivated for the first time in Romania species as asparagus, rhubarb, fennel, Luffa cilindrica. The Laboratory activity ceased and it was resumed after 1990 to continue valuable creations acclimatizations which were patented and crop production: Cichorium crispum, Cichorium latifolium, Cucumis metuliferus, Momordica charantia. Starting 2010, research were focused on acclimatization and breeding of new species like Momordica cochinchinensis, obtaining the first pot plants. This species shows major interest for prestigious world institues due to their valuable fruits with high content in lycopen, carotenoids and antioxidants. The basic genetical material ( seeds) used comes from Vietnam, Nepal and India. The first fruits were obtained in 2012 and in 2013 the yield increased meanwhile it was elaborated the crop technology. Two of the three studied biotypes adapted to climatic conditions of our country. To specify that this new acclimated species can be cultivated only in high protected spaces and pallisate system in our country . After acclimatization phase, research focuses on breeding this species to obtain new distinct varieties adapted to climatic and soil conditions of our country.