Cultivating isabgol in rainfed areas

Abstract

In India, isabgol is commercially cultivated in Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat and Rajasthan. India produces 9 million tonnes of blond psyllium which is 98% of the world’s total production. About 80-90% of the produce is exported. The seeds of blond psyllium are mainly valued for their mucilaginous rosy white husk. It contains about 30% mucilage and hemicellulose which is composed of xylose, arabinose, galacturonic acid, rhamnose and galactose. In addition to mucilage, the seeds also contain semi drying fatty oils, small amount of acubin and tannin.