ISABGUL SEED

Preface 

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. Seed produced from P. ovata is known in trading circles as white or blonde psyllium, Indian Plantago or Isabgul. Isabgul, the common name in India for P. ovata, comes from the Persian words "isap" and "ghol" that mean horse ear, which is descriptive of the shape of the seed. India dominates the world market in the production and export of psyllium. Psyllium research and field trials in the U.S. have been conducted mainly in Arizona and also in Washington.
 

Isabgul was a native of Persia, now grown in the western part of India. The main producing states are Gujarat, Rajasthan, MP & Harayana as a cash crop in the Mehsana, Patan and Banaskantha districts of north Gujarat. Presently, India is the largest producer as well as exporter of Isabgul and Psyllium husk in the world.  It is also grown in Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Haryana and Bihar states. The crop is mainly cultivated in Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan. Among the above states Gujarat is the main hub for the production as well as processing. Gujarat and Rajasthan are reported to have an area of around 60,000 hectares under its cultivation. The climatic conditions of the Gujarat & Rajasthan are most suitable for the Isabgul cultivation; and both the states contribute almost equally in terms of production, but regarding further processing and manufacturing of husk, Gujarat is the leading state.

Isabgul is an important medicinal crop of India. It is a stemless herb. The husk is the rosy-white membranous covering of the seed, which constitutes the drug, mainly given as a safe laxative, particularly beneficial in habitual constipation, chronic diarrhea and dysentery.  It is a 100% natural product. It is a soluble fiber (is viscous and forms gel in water). The soluble fiber comes from the dried husk of the psyllium seed. That is, psyllium husk is the cleaned dried outer coating of the Psyllium Seed.

Uses

Recent interest in psyllium has arisen primarily due to its use in high fiber breakfast cereals and from claims that these high fiber 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 reported in The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition concludes that the use of soluble-fiber cereals is an effective and well tolerated part of a prudent diet for the treatment of mild to moderate hypercholesterolemia. 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. Although the cholesterol reducing properties and glycemic response properties of psyllium containing foods are fairly well documented, the effect of long term inclusion of psyllium in the diet has not been determined. Cases of allergic reaction to psyllium containing cereal have been documented.

Psyllium is produced mainly for its mucilage content, which is highest in P. ovata. Mucilage describes a group of clear, colorless, gelling agents derived from plants. The mucilage obtained from psyllium comes from the seed coat. Mucilage is obtained by mechanical milling/grinding of the outer layer of the seed. Mucilage yield amounts to approximately 25% or more (by weight) of the total seed yield. Plantago seed mucilage is often referred to as husk or psyllium husk. The milled seed mucilage is a white fibrous material that is hydrophilic (water-loving). Upon absorbing water the clear colorless mucilaginous gel that forms increases in volume by ten-fold or more. Psyllium is mainly used as a dietary fiber, which is not digested by action in the small intestine. 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.

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 deserts. A 1.5% weight/volume ratio of psyllium mucilage exhibits binding properties that are superior to a 10% weight/volume ratio of starch mucilage. The viscosity of psyllium mucilage dispersions are relatively unaffected between temperatures of 68 to 122°F, by pH from 2 to 10 and by salt (sodium chloride) concentrations up to 0.15 M. These properties in combination with psyllium's natural fiber characteristic may lead to increased use by the food processing industry. 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.

Climatic Conditions and Harvesting

Isabgul is the highly environmental sensitive crop. Its cultivation requires certain temperature, dry atmosphere, clear sky etc. More specifically, it requires a cool climate and dry sunny weather during maturation, even a mild dew, cloudy weather or light showers cause seed shading. 20^oC-25^oC temperature is required for seed germination, whereas at the time of maturation it requires 30^oC -35^oC temperature. It requires 50 -125 cm annual rainfall.

The Soil

Isabgul grows best on light, well drained, sandy loams. The nutrient requirements of the crop are low. In North Gujarat, the soil tends to be low in nitrogen and phosphorus and high in potash with a pH between 7.2 and 7.9. Nitrogen trials under these conditions have shown a maximum seed yield response with the addition of 20 lb/acre of nitrogen.

The fields are generally irrigated prior to seeding to achieve ideal soil moisture, to enhance seed soil contact, and to avoid burying the seed too deeply as a result of later irrigations or rainfall. Maximum germination occurs at a seeding depth of 1/4 in. Emerging seedlings are frost sensitive; therefore planting should be delayed until conditions are expected to remain frost free. Seed is broadcast at 5 to 7.5 lb/acre in India.

The flower spikes turn reddish brown at ripening, the lower leaves dry and the upper leaves yellow. The crop is harvested in the morning after the dew is gone to minimize shattering and field losses. In India, mature plants are cut 6 in. above the ground and then bound, left for a few days to dry, thrashed, and winnowed.

Harvesting  

·         Isabgul is an irrigated Rabi crop which remains in the field for about 4 months.

• Its cultivation period is October-November. The plant bears the flowering spikes in about 60 days after sowing and matures in the next 2 months. That means blooming begins two months after sowing and the crop become ready for harvest in February-March.
• After maturation, the crop turns yellowish and the spikes turn brownish. The yellowing of the lower leaves is an indication of maturity.
• The crop is harvested to close to the ground in the early morning hours to avoid losses owing to seed shading.
• The harvested material is stacked for 1 or 2 days, made to be trampled by bullocks, winnowed and separated seed is collected.
• Peak marketing season of Isabgul-husk is March – June.

Crop rotation

The following crop rotations are being adopted in various parts of India.

·                     Soybean - Isabgul

·                     Maize - Isabgul

·                     Sorghum - Isabgul

·                     Groundnut - Isabgul

·                     Maize - Isabgul - Greengram

Growing Area

The main producing states are Gujarat, Rajasthan, MP, and Haryana.In Rajasthan Isabgul producing areas are mainly Jalore, Sirohi, Badmer, Pali, Chittore, i.e. mainly southern Rajasthan.

State specific Isabgul growing centers in India:

Isabgul Production

State-wise production estimates for Isabgul

Note: The figures are market estimates.

Production Trend in Gujarat:

The above table indicates the year-wise production of Isabgul in Gujarat. Production varies due to various reasons. The prime determinant of Isabgul production as well as price is demand for Isabgul in the international market. The main byproduct of Isabgul is Psyllium Husk, which is used for medicinal purposes and the leading pharmaceuticals companies are the buyers.

Isabgul is stored by the farmers as well as stockiests for better price realization. Stored produce also affects the production indirectly.

Isabgul crop is highly environment sensitive. In case of adverse climatic conditions the crop affects severely and production declines drastically. These are some of the reasons for the fluctuations in year wise production.

District-wise Isabgul production in Gujarat