Isabgol: Package Practices for Cultivation

Abstract

Isabgol is a short-stemmed annual herb that grows up to 40 cm tall. A large number of flowering shoots emerge from the plant's base. The word isabgol derives from the Persian words "isap" and "ghol," which mean horse ear and describe the shape of the seed. Psyllium, which derives from the Greek word for a flea, refers to the size, shape, and whitish color of the seed, which is the most commercially important part of this plant. The seeds are encased in capsules that open when they reach maturity. The husk of the seed is thin, boat-shaped, white, translucent, odourless, and has a mucilaginous taste. The root system is well developed, with a well-developed tap root and a few fibrous secondary roots. Isabgol is widely grown in many parts of the world. It is native to the Mediterranean region and West Asia, reaching as far north as Sutlej and Sindh in Pakistan. It is also found in the Canary Islands, Southern Spain, North Africa, the Middle East, and North-Western Asia. It has been introduced and cultivated in North Gujarat, as well as adjoining parts of Western Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh in India. However, the crop is spreading in previously unexplored areas of the country such as Punjab, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, and Karnataka.