Argula/Rocket salad is a green leafy vegetable used in salads, pastas and in preparation of non veg foods including sea foods. It isquick growing annual herb, which prefer cool climate for the growth. The taste of the leaf changes if grown in hot and dry conditions. The plant requires well drained soil with a pH of 66.5 for its growth. Seeds are used for propagation (need to be sown 5mm deep and cover with the soil) and the leaves can be harvested after 40 days of sowing. The plant requires full sunlight for growth. The plant should be well watered. The plant grows to about 40-60cm high and the plant can be pruned back for producing new shoots and also prevents flowering.
The fresh leaves are highly alkaline and rich in antioxidants and folates. Salad rocket is an excellent source of vitamin A,B-complex group of vitamins (such as thiamin, riboflavin, niacin, vitamin B-6, and pantothenic acid), Vitamin K and minerals especially copper and iron. In addition, it has small amounts of some other essential minerals and electrolytes such as calcium, iron, potassium, manganese, and phosphorus.