Studies on commercial cultivation of selected wild vegetables in coastal Maharashtra

India is floristically rich and recognized as one of the 12 mega biodiversity centers of the world. Western Ghats of India is considered as one of the important biodiversity hotspot in the world. There are 45, 000 species of wild plants, out of which 9, 500 species are ethno botanically important species, of these 7, 500 species are in medicinal use for indigenous health practices. In Konkan region, 58 species of wild vegetables were documented. Among various wild vegetables kartoli, kurdu, takala, bharangi, ghol are important ones. These wild vegetables grow naturally in Western Ghats mostly during monsoon season and are collected by the native tribal population for home consumption as well as for sale in local as well as metropolitan markets like Mumbai and Pune. Besides their taste and nutritional abundance, their role in curing many chronic diseases is known traditionally. Realizing their nutraceutical values in human health, the demand for these vegetables is increasing day by day. However, inspite of potential for their commercial exploitation these vegetable have remain neglected as their availability is restricted to specific season and also due to lack of post-harvest handling and propagation protocols. Dr. B.S. Konkan Krishi Vidyapeeth, Dapoli has initiated work on propagation and preservation aspects of these vegetables. The protocols for rapid multiplication of kartoli by cuttings, seed as well as by tissue culture, bharangi by cuttings have been studied. Additionally methodologies for preservation of bharangi, takala, kurdu vegetables have been developed, so that its consumption can be encouraged during off season.