Tropical and subtropical vegetables (2+1)

Introduction on leafy vegetables

• Among all vegetables, the leafy vegetables have a very high protective food value. They are rich in calcium, iron and other minerals and in vitamin A & C. Besides, they are soft fibrous matter provides the necessary roughage in the diet.
• In India, leafy vegetables are generally considered inferior than other vegetables like peas, cauliflower and tomato which are more palatable and appetizing but fact remains that leafy vegetables when properly prepared are equally palatable considering their extra nutritive value, the leafy vegetables deserve greater recognition.
• There are varieties of leafy vegetables under cultivation in India. Certain plants which grow wildsuch as alternanthera,celosia portulaca etc. are also used as leafy vegetables. Among the several leafy vegetables Amaranthus is one of the most important warm season leafy vegetable.
• The cultivation of leafy vegetables is well known in the state since time immemorial. The state has its credit on number of local edible leafy vegetables which are both cultivated and uncultivated.