Underexplored and Underutilized Traditional Vegetables of Cold Arid Ladakh Region of India

Underexplored and Underutilized Traditional Vegetables of Cold Arid Ladakh Region of India.

The present investigation conducted in the cold arid Ladakh region of India revealed important underutilized vegetables consumed by the inhabitants and the tribal communities/ethnic groups of this region. Twenty eight plant species (28) documented in the present investigation were found growing and utilized for culinary purposes in the region. These communities were found expert collectors of these herbs who use them as vegetables and in ethno-medicinal preparations. Underutilized species hold a great genetic diversity and are a vast heritage of traditional indigenous knowledge. Due to modernization, the knowledge and importance of these traditional delicacies is missing. The floral and genetic erosion due to natural causes and human interference may render these foods unavailable in the near future. Present study was initiated to document the basic information of these food plants for popularizing these valuable herbs in future. These can compete with the best vegetables if proper research is initiated for yield and quality improvement...