DIVERSITY OF WILD GREENS KNOWLEDGE FROM THE RURAL HOUSEHOLDS OF ANANTAPUR DISTRICT, A.P

Anantapur district is having the second lowest rainfall in the country, but with rich wild green biodiversity and traditional knowledge A wide range of wild species are used as edible plants. This traditional knowledge passed through generations, helps the rural people to maintain food security in their households. Majority of inhabitants take wild greens as a potential sources of alternative food to meet their essential nutritional requirements. Wild leaf vegetables are non cultivated, inexpensive source of food to maintain good health in the drought conditions. Hence it is very important to document the wild edible biodiversity. This unexplored information is very significant to exploit new food resources for future use.