This study investigates genetic variability, morphological diversity, and biochemical traits in gynoecious Coccinia accessions using multivariate analysis. ANOVA revealed significant variation across key traits, with vine length (VL) ranging from 243.0 to 532.2 cm (CV = 10.15%), internode length (IL) from 6.15 to 9.7 cm, and leaf length (LL) from 6.52 to 8.76 cm. Fruit-related traits, including fruit diameter (FD) (1.72–4.76 cm), fruit length (FL) (3.74–8.16 cm), and average fruit weight (AFW) (11.88–30.42 g), showed significant variability (p < 0.01). Reproductive traits such as the number of female flowers per plant (NFFP) ranged from 828 to 1824 (CV = 12.08%), highlighting strong selection potential. Biochemical attributes exhibited considerable variation, with ascorbic acid (AsA) content between 18.52 and 53.68 mg/100 g and total soluble solids (TSS) from 0.9 to 3.4%. Antioxidant-related traits, including total phenolics (TPL: 13.66–24.95 mg GAE/100 g), total flavonoids (TFL: 5.42–12.16 mg CE/100 g), and ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAPL: 20.49–46.62 µmol TE/g), indicated high bioactive potential. Strong positive correlations between yield traits (e.g., AFW and fruit yield per hectare, FYH, r > 0.9), were found by correlation analysis, and both trade-offs and synergies were seen between biochemical and morphological variables. Principal Component Analysis (PCA) highlighted genotype-specific trait relationships and explained 50.8% of the total variation. Cluster and network analyses further illustrated genetic diversity, with Thar Dipti (CHESIG-7) and Thar Sadabahar (CHESIG-2) emerging as genetically distinct accessions. These findings provide valuable insights for breeding strategies aimed at improving yield, antioxidant content, and fruit quality in Coccinia accessions.

There are quite a large number of indigenous and underutilized fruit crops, which are used by the local inhabitants. In fact, these fruits are the only source of protective food to meet the need of vitamins and minerals of people living in villages. Owing to curative properties, these fruits are used in Ayurvedic and Unani medicines since time immemorial. Apart from their nutritive and medicinal values, a few underutilized fruits have excellent flavour and very attractive colour. Their cultivation is very restricted and they grow mainly as wild. Being tolerant to biotic and abiotic stresses, these fruit crops are suitable for growing in the drought prone areas. Since India has a rich heritage of indigenous fruit types, some of them have already been recommended for commercial planting. It is apparent that there are more fruit crops that await future exploitation. Semi-arid fruits are the oldest fruit tree crops with wide distribution, reflecting their adaptation to a wide range of edapho-climatic conditions of our country. The understanding of various agro-techniques, propagation methods, canopy management, and biotic and abiotic stresses management are equally important for improving their productivity and quality. These crops are known as underutilized but they are locally abundant, and restricted to their geographical location owing to dearth of scientific knowledge. These crops like bael, jamun, tamarind, chironji, khirni custard apple, etc. are immensely constructive and climate smart by surviving in harsh agroclimatic conditions, and can be established on degraded lands, which are presently being underutilized. Therefore, to review the research work done and exploring lacunae in these potential crops critically has become the need of the hour. Hence, research review paper deals all issues and challenges pertaining to these fruit crops.

Bael [Aegle marmelos (L.) Correa ex Roxb.], belongs to family Rutaceae, is one of the oldest known indigenous fruit. Its wide distribution reflecting its adaptation to wide range of edaphoclimatic conditions. Bael has ability to withstand harsh climate and tolerate heat, drought and moisture deficit situations.The efforts have been made to present the current status of bael growing in India, and discuss recent technologies adopted for bael fruit production i.e. improved varieties, propagation techniques, planting systems, canopy management, water and nutrient management, quality management, pest and disease management, physiological disorders, marketing and export scenario.

There are quite a large number of arid and semi-arid fruit crops, which are used by the local inhabitants. In fact, these fruits are the only source of protective food to meet the need of vitamins and minerals for people living in villages. Owing to curative properties, these fruits are used in Ayurvedic and Unani medicines since time immemorial. Apart from their nutritive and medicinal values, a few underutilized fruits have excellent flavour and very attractive colour. Their cultivation is very restricted and they grow mainly as wild. Being tolerant to biotic and abiotic stresses, these fruit crops are suitable for growing in the drought prone areas. It is apparent that there are more fruit crops that await future exploitation. Semiarid fruits are the oldest fruit tree crops with wide distribution, reflecting their adaptation to a wide range of edaphoclimatic conditions of our country. The understanding of various agro-techniques, propagation methods, canopy management, and biotic and abiotic stresses management are equally important for improving their productivity and quality. These crops are known as underutilized but they are locally abundant, and restricted to their geographical location owing to dearth of scientific knowledge. These crops like bael, jamun, tamarind, chironji, khirni, wood apple custard apple, etc. are immensely constructive and climate smart by surviving in harsh agroclimatic conditions, and can be established on degraded lands, which are presently being underutilized. Therefore, to review the research work done in last 75 years on arid and semi-arid fruit crops and exploring lacunae in these potential crops critically has become the need of the hour.

Jamun (Syzygium cuminii Skeels) is an indigenous nutritious medicinal fruit; every part of the tree is utilized by both urban and rural dwellers. The fruit is good source of iron, sugars, minerals, protein, carbohydrate etc. Fully ripe fruits are eaten fresh and can be processed into beverages like jelly, jam, squash, wine, vinegar and pickles. Fruits and powdered seeds are used as an effective medicine against diabetes. It is an underutilized fruit with a wide range of adaptation to varied edapho-climatic conditions. For better utilization and improvement of its genetic resources, there is a need to understand various aspects. Therefore, basic biology, genetic diversity and varietal wealth, systematic phenology, production technologies, propagation, canopy architecture, biotic and abiotic stress management and value-addition have been discussed.