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Among a number of underutilized species, members of the genus Chenopodium (family Amaranthaceae) are most promising since they have the ability to thrive and flourish under stressful conditions (Bhargava et al., 2003, 2006a; Jacobsen et al., 2003a) as well as on soils with minimum agricultural inputs. Many complex adaptive modifications related to breeding system, seed dispersal and their germination account for the success of the members of this genus in colonizing disturbed habitats (Williams and Harper, 1965; Dostalek, 1987). With a shift in focus towards production on agriculturally marginal lands, Chenopodium has a significant role to play both as a nutritious food crop and as a cash crop. The genus Chenopodium, commonly known as ‘goosefoot’, comprises about 250 species (Giusti, 1970) that include herbaceous, suffrutescent and arborescent perennials, although most species are colonizing annuals (Wilson, 1990). Some well-known species include C. quinoa, C. pallidicaule, C. berlandieri ssp. nuttalliae, C. ambrosioides, C. murale and C. amaranticolor. Chenopodium spp. have been cultivated for centuries as a leafy vegetable and subsidiary grain crop in different parts of the world (Risi and Galwey, 1984). Although only three species (C. quinoa, C. pallidicaule and C. berlandieri subsp. nuttalliae) are reported to be cultivated (Heiser and Nelson, 1974; Wilson, 1980; Bhargava et al., 2006a, 2007), the leaves and tender stems of numerous other species are consumed as food and fodder (Tanaka, 1976; Kunkel, 1984; Partap, 1990; Moerman, 1998; Partap et al., 1998). The foliage of Chenopodium is an inexpensive and rich source of protein, carotenoids and vitamin C (Koziol, 1992; Prakash et al., 1993; Bhargava et al., 2006a). The protein has a balanced amino acid spectrum with high lysine (5.1–6.4%) and methionine (0.4–1.0%) contents (Prakash and Pal, 1998; Bhargava et al., 2006a).