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Seed Preparation and Germination:
Field must be free of weeds and clods.The number of
ploughings, harrowing and hoeing depend upon the soil conditions, previous crop
and degree of weed infestation. About 10-15 tonnes of FYM per hectare is mixed into the soil at the time of last ploughing. The field should be divided into suitable plots of convenient size, depending upon the texture of the soil, the slope of the field and quantum of irrigation. For light soil with even contour, plot size of 8.0 m x 3.0 m will be convenient.
To obtain high percentage of germination, seed should be taken from the crop harvested at the end of the preceding crop season. Old
seeds tend to lose viability under ordinary storage conditions. Seed at the rate of 4-8 kg per hectare is sown after treating it with any mercurial seed-dresser at the rate of 3 g/kg of seed, to protect the seedlings from the possible attack of damping off.
The seeds are small and light. Hence before sowing, the seed is mixed with sufficient quantity of fine sand or sieved farmyard manure. The seeds are broadcasted because sowing in lines at different spacing does not increase the seed yield. After broadcasting, seeds are swept lightly with a broom to cover them with some soil. Broom however, should be swept in one direction only, to avoid deep burial of the seed for uniform germination. The sowing should immediately be followed by irrigation. Germination
begins in four days after sowing. If delayed, it should be stimulated by another watering. Periodical weeding and hoeing is required.
IRRIGATION
Immediately after sowing, light irrigation is essential. First
irrigation should be given with light flow or shower of water otherwise, with fast current of water most of the seeds will be swept to one side of the plot and the germination and distribution
will not be uniform. The seeds germinate in 6-7 days. If the germination is poor, second irrigation should be given. Later on irrigations are given as and when required. Last irrigation should be given at the time when maximum number of spikes shoots up. The crop requires totally 6-7 irrigations for its good productivity in
medium sandy soils.
HARVESTING/POST HARVESTING OPERATION
Blooming begins two months after sowing and the crop become ready
for harvest in February- March (110-130 days after sowing). When mature, the crop turn yellowish and the spikes turn brownish. The seeds are shed when the spikes are pressed even slightly. At the time of harvest, the atmosphere must be dry and there should be no moisture on the
plant (nearly after noon), harvesting will lead to considerable seed shattering.
Diseases of Isabgol:
Plantago wilt Fusarium oxyspirum and downy mildew are the major diseases of
Isabgol.
MANURES, FERTILISERS AND PESTICIDES
The medicinal plants have to be grown without chemical fertilizers
and use of pesticides. Organic manures like, Farm Yard Manure (FYM),
Vermi-Compost, Green Manure etc. may be used as per requirement of the species. To prevent diseases, bio-pesticides could be prepared (either single or mixture) from Neem (kernel, seeds & leaves),
Chitrakmool, Dhatura, Cow's urine etc.
Uses:
It is Diuretic, Emollient and Cooling. Used in inflamatory
conditions of mucous memberane of gastro intestinal and genitourinary
tracts. Very well known as a laxative. It restores proper bowel movements and ued in treatment of chronic constipation, amoebic and bucillary
dysentary. Psyllium husk and seeds are formal Pharmacopoeia. The purely mechanical action of psyllium mucilage absorbs excess water while stimulating normal bowel elimination. Although its
main use has been as a laxative, it is more appropriately termed a true dietary
fiber.
Recent study shows that use in high fiber breakfast cereals
containing psyllium are effective in reducing cholesterol. Several studies point to a
cholesterol reduction attributed to a diet that includes dietary fiber such as
psyllium. Research also indicates that psyllium incorporated into food products is more effective at reducing blood glucose response than use of a
soluble fiber supplement that is separate from the food.
Psyllium mucilage is also used as a natural dietary fiber for animals. The dehusked seed that remains after the seed
coat is milled off is rich in starch and fatty acids and is used in India as chicken feed and as cattle feed. Psyllium mucilage possesses several other desirable
properties. As a thickener, it has been used in ice cream and frozen desserts.
Technical grade psyllium has been used as a hydrocolloidal agent to improve water retention for newly seeded grass areas and to improve transplanting success with woody plants.
YIELD
Gujarat Isabgol-1, variety yields 800-900 kg of seeds per hectare. The new variety 'Gujarat Isabgol-2' has a potential to yield 1,000 kg of seeds per hectare.
ECONOMICS
India’s isabgol farms are spread over 55,000 acres in Gujarat and
Rajasthan. Farmers in Madhya Pradesh are catching on. From about 97 mn kg isabgol seed, two dozen companies manufacture husk. It is sold in grades according to purity and mesh size. Psyllium dust - called Kha Kha powder - is used industrially.
The United States is the world's largest importer of psyllium "husk" with over
60% of total imports going to pharmaceutical firms for use in products such as
"Metamucil", "Effersyllium" and "Fiberall". P&G, which makes Metamucil, is India’s single largest customer.
Due to awareness about isabgol, demand is pouring in from Malaysia, Australia, Thailand, Germany, Japan, Pakistan, Spain and UK.
Last year Organic India exported 500 t
isabgol. This year he expects sales to jump with the introduction of online delivery. The company has contracted farmers in Rajasthan to grow organic isabgol.
Expenditure per ha. Rs. 25,000/-
Return per ha. Rs.63000/-
Net income Rs.38000/- (YEAR-2001)
Note: Market for medicinal plants is volatile and the economics may vary.
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Isabgol seeds
