Cultivation of Isabgol (Plantago ovata)

Botanical Name: Plantago ovata
Family: Plantaginaceae
Plant Part Used: Seeds and Husks

Introduction:

Isabgol, commonly known as Psyllium, is valued for its seeds and husks, which are utilized in indigenous medicines across many countries. The husk of Isabgol yields a mucilage that is colloidal in nature, primarily composed of xylose, arabinose, and galacturonic acid, which give it significant medicinal properties.

Botany:

• Plant Description:
  Isabgol is an annual herb that is typically stemless, growing to a height of 30-40 cm. It forms a rosette of leaves and bears erect ovoid or cylindrical spikes with tiny white flowers.
• Flowering and Fruiting:
  The flowers are protogynous (i.e., female organs mature before male organs), and the fruit is a capsule containing small seeds, which are encased in a thin, white, translucent membrane (husk). The husk is tasteless and odorless.

• Climate: Isabgol requires cool and dry weather for optimal growth. The crop is best grown during the winter season in India, from November to March/April. Humid weather at maturity may cause the seeds to shatter.
• Soil: A light, well-drained sandy loam to rich loamy soil with a pH ranging from 7.0 to 8.0 is ideal for growing Isabgol. The soil should be rich in organic matter to support plant growth.

Uses of Isabgol:

i) Medicinal Properties:

• • Anti-diarrheal: Isabgol absorbs and retains water (40-90%), making it effective in treating diarrhea.
  • Cooling and Demulcent: The seeds have a cooling effect and are used in Ayurvedic, Unani, and allopathic medicines.
  • Treatment of Gastrointestinal Issues: Isabgol is beneficial in chronic dysentery, both amoebic and bacillary, constipation, and inflammatory conditions of the mucous membranes of the gastrointestinal and urinary tracts.

ii) Other Uses:

• • Stabilizer in Ice Cream: Isabgol is used as a stabilizer in ice cream and other food products.
  • Ingredients in Chocolates: It is added to chocolates and other food products.
  • Cosmetics: It serves as a base for some cosmetic formulations.

Varieties of Isabgol:

• Gujarat Isabgol – 1: Yield potential of 800-900 kg/ha.
• Gujarat Isabgol – 2: Yield potential of 1000 kg/ha.
• Other Varieties:
  • Niharika, IR-89, RRL-011, SEL-10, etc.

Preparation of Land:

• The field should be free of weeds and clods for good seed germination.
• It should be prepared to a fine tilth and laid into flat beds of convenient sizes, such as 1.0 m x 3.0 m or 2.5 m x 2.5 m.

Sowing:

• Seed Rate: The seed rate is typically 4-5 kg per hectare. The seeds should be pretreated with thiram @ 3 g per kg to protect them from damping-off disease.
• Sowing Method:
  • Seeds are mixed with fine sand before sowing due to their small and light nature.
  • They are broadcast sown and lightly swept with a broom in one direction to cover them with a thin layer of soil.
  • Light irrigation is required for germination, which occurs within 6-7 days after sowing.

Weeding:

• Timely Weeding: Weeding is crucial to encourage healthy plant growth. The first weeding is done 20-25 days after sowing, and 2-3 more weedings should be performed within the first two months.

Manuring and Fertilization:

• Basal Fertilization: Apply 25 kg N/ha and 25 kg P/ha as a basal dose at the last ploughing.
• Top Dressing: A second dose of 25 kg N/ha is top-dressed 30 days after sowing.

Irrigation:

• Initial Irrigation:
  • Light irrigation is essential immediately after sowing. The first irrigation should have a light flow of water.
  • If germination is poor, a second irrigation may be required.
• Subsequent Irrigations:
  • Irrigations should be applied as necessary throughout the growing season.
  • The final irrigation is given when most of the spikes have reached the milk stage.

Harvesting and Processing:

• Maturity: The crop is ready for harvest in about 110-130 days after sowing. The plant turns yellowish, and the spikes become brownish when mature. The seeds are shed when the spikes are lightly pressed.
• Harvesting: The plants are cut at ground level or uprooted if the soil is loose-textured.
• Threshing and Winnowing: After harvesting, the plants are threshed, and the seeds are winnowed. The seeds are sifted until clean.
• Husk Removal: The seeds are fed to a series of shellers where grinding pressure is adjusted to remove only the husk. The husk is separated from the seeds by fans and sieves. The husk:seed ratio is 25:75 by weight.

Yield: The average yield of Isabgol is about 500-1000 kg per hectare.