ABSTRACT
The genus Beta was first originated in Mediterranean Europe but later on diversified and spread north and eastward. Its secondary centre of biodiversity is around Near East. Sea beet is a prominent source of magnesium and sodium, good source of vitamin A and C, which are important antioxidants and a fare source of carbohydrates, protein, calcium, iron and vitamin B6. Every part of sea beet is edible, including succulent leaves, roots and flowers. Its flowers are perhaps the sweetest part of the plant but leaves are consumed after boiling, blanching, steaming, or eaten raw. Sea beet is widely used in modern herbal medicinal preparations. It is used in treatment of tumors. A decoction prepared from its seeds has been used in the treatment of intestinal and genital tumors. Sea beet can be grown well on a wide range of soils from sandy loam to clayey loam textured soil but it prefers deep, friable, weed-free, well-drained moist soil with porous structure.
