Isabgol Notes-1

Department of Horticulture
Faculty of Agriculture, BAU, Ranchi

------------------ Dr Abdul Majid Ansari
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: Isabgol (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,
especially 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: The husk is used as a single drug for the cure of constipation and dysentery. The drug is
used in inflammatory conditions of the mucous membrane of gastrointestinal and
genitourinary tracts and against irritation. It is also used as a demulcent, cooling, diuretic.
1
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 to good growth of this crop. A silty-loam soil having a soil pH of 4.7 to 7.7 with
high nitrogen and low moisture content is ideal for the growth of plants and the 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 the first week of November gives the best
yields. Early sowing makes the crop vulnerable to downy mildew disease, whereas late
sowing provides a lesser period of growth in winter along with the 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.
Propagation: Through Seeds
Land preparation and planting: The 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 the last ploughing. The field should be divided into suitable plots of convenient size
depending upon the soil’s texture, the field’s slope and the quantum of irrigation. For light
soil with an even contour, a plot size of 8.0 m x 3.0 m will be convenient.
To obtain a high percentage of germination, seeds 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 a
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 four days after
sowing. If delayed, it should be stimulated by another watering.
2
Manuring: The medicinal plants have to be grown without chemical fertilizers and the use of
pesticides. Organic manures like, Farm Yard Manure (FYM), Vermi-Compost, Green Manure
etc. may be used as per the requirement of the species.
Irrigation: Immediately after sowing, light irrigation is essential. First irrigation should be
given with a light flow or shower of water otherwise, with the 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 a maximum number of spikes shoots up. The crop requires a totally of 6-7
irrigations for its good productivity in medium sandy soils.
Weeding: Periodical weeding and hoeing are 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.
3
Harvest: Blooming begins two months after sowing and the crop becomes 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 husks are removed from the seed coat by processing through a series of grinding
in mills to separate the husk.
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Department of Horticulture

Faculty of Agriculture, BAU, Ranchi

Isabgol ((Plantago ovata Forsk.)

Parts used: Husk from spikes and seeds.

Active principle: Protein, polysaccharides, cellulose, pectin, oil and muscilage.

2. Blonde Psyllium or Indian Plantago: Plantago ovata Fork

Propagation: Through Seeds

Weeding: Periodical weeding and hoeing are required.

Plant protection: To prevent diseases, bio-pesticides could be prepared (either single or

Yield: Seed: 900-1500 kg/ha, Husk: 225-375 kg/ha

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