Food Plants International

117
Names
English: Silver beet Scientific name: Beta vulgaris ssp. cicla (L.)Koch
Tok pisin: Synonyms: Probably now Beta vulgaris Cicla group
Tok ples: Plant family: Chenopodiaceae
Description: A broad leafed annual plant. Stalks
are smooth and often white with a dark green
leaf. A clump of stalks and leaves are produced
from the base. Plants can also be blue. The
leaves can be 12-25 cm long.
Distribution: It needs to be over at least 500 m
altitude in the tropics. It is mostly grown
between 1000 and 2600 m altitude.
Cultivation: It is grown from seeds. Under tropical conditions it is not normally possible to
save your own seed. In cold climates plants need to be sown when conditions are warmer so
that plants do not go straight to flower. A spacing of 30 cm between plants is suitable. Seed are
sown 2.5 cm deep.
Production: The first leaves are ready after 8-10 weeks and can produce for 2 years. Only the
outer leaves are picked off.
Use: The leaves and stalks are cooked and eaten.
Food Value: Per 100 g edible portion
Edible Moisture Energy Protein Calcium Iron proVit A proVit C Zinc
part % KJ g mg mg µg mg mg
Leaves 92.7 84 1.9 2.3 314 18 0.3
Insects:
Spoladia recurvalis (Fabricius) Pyralidae (LEP_ Beet webworm
Oribius destructor Mshl. Curculionidae (COL) Shot hole weevils
Oribius inimicus Mshl. Curculionidae (COL) Shot hole weevils
Diseases:
Leaf spot Fungus Cercospora beticola Sacc.
Blossom blight Fungus Choanephora cucurbitarum (Berk. & Rav.) Thaxt.
Pests:
Importance: It is moderately common in some highland areas in the tropics including Papua
New Guinea.