ABSTRACT
Watercress is commonly known as big leaf cress, water radish, water rocket and hedge mustard. It is a fast-growing aquatic or semi-aquatic perennial plant and one of the oldest known leafy vegetables consumed by human beings. It contains a fair amount of manganese, iron and calcium but the active principle is phenylethyl glucosinolate. Watercress is cultivated for it leaves and shoots used for culinary and medicinal purposes. Watercress helps in removing toxins from the body, boosting digestion, and has both diuretic and expectorant properties. The plant grows well under varying soil conditions provided the soils stay saturated with water. Aphids are an intermittent pest of watercress. Heavy aphid infestation can cause an unmarketable appearance of watercress because the presence of a single live or dead aphid on the finished product can lead to customer rejection. Diamondback moth is the most serious insect-pest of watercress. Its caterpillars damage the plant by feeding on leaves and young growing shoots.
