LECTURE 25

ISABGOL
Plantago ovata Forsk.

Common names
Ishagola, Isabghul, Spogel seed, Ispaghal, Psyllium seed, Flea seed, Plantain seed,
Isabgol and Ishabgul Spogel seed.
Origin and distribution
Plantago ovata Forsk. belonging to the family Plantaginaceae has good export potential
and can be exploited commercially. It is indigenous to the Mediterranean region and West Asia,
It has been introduced in India & Cultivated specially in Gujarat and some parts of Rajasthan. It
is also found in Punjab plains and low hills from Sutlej westwards, Sindh and Baluchistan. The
area under cultivation is estimated about 50,000 ha with a production of 48,000 tonnes of
seeds. Psyllium is the common name used for several members of the plant genus Plantago
whose seeds are used commercially for the production of mucilage. The genus Plantago
contains over 200 species. P. ovata and P. psyllium are produced commercially in several
European countries, the former Soviet Union, Pakistan, and India. Plantago seed known
commercially as black, French or Spanish psyllium is obtained from P. psyllium and P. arenaria.
Parts used
Husk from spikes and seeds
Active principle
Protein, polysaccharides, cellulose, pectin, oil and muscilage
Uses
Husk is used as single drug for cure of constipation and dysentery. The drug is used in
inflammatory conditions of the mucous membrane of gastro intestinal and genitourinary tracts
and against irritation. It is also used as demulcent, cooling, diuretic.
Species and Varieties
Species
1. Spanish or French Psyllium seed: Plantago psyrium Linn, or of Plantago indica Linn.
(P. arenaric Wald.)
2. Blonde Psyllium or Indian Plantago: Plantago ovata Fork
Varieties
RI-87, RI-89, AMB-2, GI-1, GI-2, MI-4, MIB-121, HI-34, HI-2, HI-1, HI-5, JI-4, NIHARIKA.
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.
Soil
It is an irrigated crop, which grows well on light soils, soil with poor drainage is not
conducive for good growth of this crop. A silty-loam soil having a soil pH from 4.7 to 7.7 with
high nitrogen and low moisture content is ideal for growth of plants and high yield of seeds.
Climate
Isabgol thrives well in warm- temperate regions. It requires cool and dry weather & is
sown during winter months. Sowing during first week of November gives best yields. Early
sowing makes the crop vulnerable to downy mildew disease, whereas late sowing provides
lesser period of growth in winter along with possibility of shattering of seed due to summer rains
in April-May. At maturity, if the weather is humid, its seeds shatter resulting reduction in yield.
Heavy dew or even a light shower will proportionately decrease the yield, at times leading to
even total loss of the crop. The temperature requirement for maximum seed germination is
reported to be 20 to 300C.
Propagation
Through Seeds
Land preparation and planting
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.
Manuring
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.
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.
Weeding
Periodical weeding and hoeing is required.
Plant protection
To prevent diseases, bio-pesticides could be prepared (either single or mixture) from
Neem (kernel, seeds & leaves), Chitrakmool, Dhatura, Cow's urine etc.
Harvest
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,
harvesting will lead to considerable seed shattering. Hence, the crop should be harvested after
10 am.
Yield
Seed: 900-1500 kg/ha, Husk: 225-375 kg/ha
Post harvest technology
Harvested plants spread over and after 2 days they are threshed with tractor/bullocks.
Pinkish type husk are removed from the seed coat by processing through a series of grinding in
mills to separate husk.
Multiple choice questions
1. Isabgol belongs to the family___________
a. Plantaginaceae b.Poaceae c. Chenopodiaceae
2. Moisture content ideal for Isabgol plant growth ________
a. Low b. Medium c. High
3. Mode of propagation of Isabgol is through __________
a. Runners b. Stolons c. Seeds