<b>Documentation of folk knowledge on edible wild plants of North Karnataka</b>

419-429 In North Karnataka, fifty-one species of wild plants belonging to forty-six genera are edible. Local people use leaves, stem, flowers, fruits, seeds and roots as a part of their diet. Of the fifty one species, twenty-seven species belonging to twenty four genera produce edible fruits (eaten raw or cooked), sixteen species belonging to fourteen genera produce edible leaves and stem, four species belonging to four genera produce edible flowers, three species belonging to three genera produce edible seeds. The root extract of one species (Hemidesmus indicus) was used to prepare soft drink. Some of these species serve as food during famine. It is necessary to preserve the diversity of wild edible plants, as they possess an immense nutritional and medicinal value. Present study reveals the importance of twenty-two species of plants as they are eaten substantially by village folk as well as by city dwellers. It is desirable to bring these plants under organized agriculture as new crops to increase their production and utilization. </smarttagtype

SILVER NANOPARTICLES SYNTHESIS FROM DIFFERENT FUNGAL SPECIES AND THEIR ANTIFUNGAL EFFECT

Objective: Evaluation of antifungal activity of silver nanoparticles synthesized using different fungal speciesMethods: Fungus like Fusarium oxysporum, Fusarium udum, Fusarium oxysporum and Stemphylium vericans were used for the synthesis of silver nanoparticles. The synthesis was characterized using UV-vis spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction, and transmission electron microscopy. Further, the synthesized silver nanoparticles was evaluated for antimicrobial activity by well diffusion against the pathogenic fungus.Results: The present study, report on the biosynthesis and antifungal effect of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) using fungal species such as Fusarium oxysporum, Fusarium udum, Fusarium oxysporum and Stemphylium vericans. The UV-vis absorbance maxima between 400-490 nm indicate the synthesis of nanoparticles. Further, transmission electron microscopy images shows spherical shape nanoparticles of size range (36-45 nm). Synthesized AgNPs showed active antifungal activity against the isolated plant pathogenic fungi. The study reveals the use of different fungal species for AgNPs synthesis exhibits a good antifungal effect which helps us to control pathogenic fungi in the near future.Conclusion: A simple, cost effective method was developed in the present study; the synthesized silver nanoparticles was spherical in shape of size range 36-45 nm which showed good antifungal activity.Â