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[[File:Aesthetic bunch of fenugreek greens.jpg|thumb|300px|right|[[Fenugreek]] (''Trigonella foenum-graecum'') leaves]]
The '''production of fenugreek in India''' is marked by its dominant position in world production and export. Within India [[Rajasthan]] accounts for its largest cropped area and production. The [[fenugreek]] plant is an annual herbaceous forage legume with aroma, which is used for food in the form of its seeds as spices, and its leaves as a vegetable. It is also used as a medicinal herb in several [[Ayurvedic]] formulations for treatment of dry skin, boils, hair loss and so forth.

==Names==
Fenugreek's botanical name is ''Trigonella foenum-graecum'' in the subfamily of [[Fabaceae|Papilioacae]] of the family of [[Leguminosae]] (bean family, [[Fabaceae]]){{sfn|Parthasarathy|Chempakam|2008|p=242}} In India, it is known as ''methi'' in [[Hindi language|Hindi]], [[Oriya language|Oriya]], [[Bengali language|Bengali]], [[Punjabi language|Punjabi]] and [[Urdu language]]s, as ''methya'' in [[Marathi language|Marathi]], ''menthya'' in [[Kannada language|Kannada]], ''vendayam'' or ''Venthayam'' in [[Tamil language|Tamil]], ''menthulu'' in [[Telugu language|Telugu]] and ''uluva'' in [[Malayalam language|Malayalam]].<ref name=Farm>{{Cite web|url=http://agrifarming.in/fenugreek-farming-methi|title=Fenugreek Farming (Methi) information Guide|access-date=3 June 2016|publisher=Agri Farming|date=2015-04-23}}</ref> It is termed as ''Medhika'' or ''Chandrika'' in [[Sanskrit language]].<ref name= Chandrika>{{Cite web|url=http://www.himalayawellness.com/herbfinder/trigonella-foenum-graecum.htm|title= Fenugreek|access-date=3 June 2016|publisher= himalayawellness.com}}</ref>

==History==
It is believed that fenugreek was known in the [[Indian cuisine]] even 3,000 years ago.{{Sfn|Nybe|2007|p=206}} Its growth in the wild is reported from
[[Kashmir]], [[Punjab]] and the Upper [[Indo-Gangetic Plain|Gangetic plains]] {{Sfn|Nybe|2007|p=206}} Its use is also reported in ancient Egypt and India, and later in Greece and Rome. A notable practice reported is its use as fumigant in incense burning in religious ceremonies in Egypt to spread "Holy Smoke". It was also used for [[embalming]]. Other countries where it is grown are Argentina, Egypt and Mediterranean region. Use of its seed as a spice, and its leaves and tender pods as vegetable were also reported. It was also used as cattle feed.{{Sfn|Nybe|2007|p=206}}

==Description==
Fenugreek is an annual herb growing to a height of up to {{convert|60|cm|in|-1|abbr=on}}. The leaves are pale green and consist of three leaflets with toothed margins. The whitish flowers are produced singly or in pairs in April and May. They are followed by bean-like pods {{convert|10|to|15|cm|in|0|abbr=on}} long containing up to twenty small, grooved, yellowish-brown seeds. The leaves are rich in the nutrients [[carotene]], [[vitamin A]], [[ascorbic acid]], [[calcium]], and [[iron]]. The seeds are composed of "protein, starch, sugar, mucilage, minerals, volatile oil, fixed oil, vitamins and enzymes". They smell of curry but are quite bitter and contain [[coumarin]] oil. The seeds also contain ''[[diosgenin]]'' which is used in the manufacture of [[Oral contraceptive pill|oral contraceptives]].{{Sfn|Nybe|2007|p=206}}{{Sfn|Chapman|2009|p=51}}

==Production==
[[File:Fenugreek Sprouts.jpg|right|thumb|300px|Fenugreek sprouts]]
India is the largest producer of fenugreek in the world.<ref name= Vidyashankar/> During 2011–12, production was 121,775 tonnes of seeds from an area of {{Convert|96304|ha}}.<ref name=Fenu>{{Cite web|url=http://indianspices.com/sites/default/files/Major-spice-state-wise-area-production-web-2015.pdf|title=Major spice state wise area production|access-date=23 June 2016|publisher=Spices Board|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160528034050/http://indianspices.com/sites/default/files/Major-spice-state-wise-area-production-web-2015.pdf|archive-date=28 May 2016|url-status=dead}}</ref> Its seed is traded as a spice, and in an oil extract form as ''[[oleoresin]]''. India consumes most of the seeds.<ref name= Vidyashankar>{{Cite web|last= Vidyashankar|first= Ganaganur Krishnappa|url=http://www.ajsih.org/index.php/ajsih/article/viewFile/136/137|title= Fenugreek: An Analysis from Trade and Commerce Perspective|access-date=3 June 2016|publisher= American Journal of Social Issues And Humanities}}</ref>{{sfn|Petropoulos|2003|p=187}} Its export was 799 tonnes in 1960–61, and increased greatly to 15,135 tons by 1995–96{{Sfn|Fotopoulos|2003|p=187}} and then to 21,800 tonnes during 2011–12.<ref name= Vidyashankar/> It was exported to UAE, Sri Lanka, and Japan, and European countries of UK, Netherlands, Germany and France.{{Sfn|Fotopoulos|2003|p=187}}

Within the country its seed production is the highest in the state of [[Rajasthan]] followed by [[Gujarat]], [[Madhya Pradesh]] and [[Uttaranchal]].<ref name=Fenu/> In Rajasthan, which accounts for a significant majority of India's total output, the crop is mainly grown during the winter season.<ref name= Vidyashankar/><ref name=Fenu/> Other states where it is grown in fairly good quantity are [[Tamil Nadu]], Punjab and [[Uttar Pradesh]].<ref name=Farm/> There are several varieties of fenugreek grown in the country.<ref name=Farm/><ref name=Agri>{{Cite web|url=http://agriinfo.in/?page=topic&superid=2&topicid=950|title=Cultivation of Fenugreek or Methi (Trigonellia foenumgrccum) Legumionseae|access-date=3 June 2016|publisher= Agriinfo.in}}</ref>

==Cultivation method==
[[File:Fenugreek_seeds(%E0%A6%AE%E0%A7%87%E0%A6%A5%E0%A6%BF).JPG|right|thumb|Fenugreek
seeds]]
The plant is generally cultivated throughout the year in areas where the climate is moderately cool, and frost free (particularly during the stage of the plant's "flowering and early grain formation") with clear sky. It is grown in many types of soils which have rich organic content. The preferred soil type is loamy or sandy loam with [[pH]] value in the range of 6–7 and with good drainage conditions for better yield.<ref name=Farm/><ref name=Agri/><ref name=File>{{Cite web|url=http://www.agrihortico.com/tutorialsview.php?id=109|title=Fenugreek|access-date=3 June 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160617000232/http://www.agrihortico.com/tutorialsview.php?id=109|archive-date=17 June 2016|url-status=dead}}</ref>

In [[North India]], the sowing season is from the last week of October to the first week of November. It is grown in both the cropping seasons of [[Rabi crop|Rabi]] and [[Kharif]] in [[South India]] – first fortnight of October during Rabi and second fortnight of June–July during Kharif. The amount of seeds used for sowing during both seasons is generally 25 kg/ha. The yield is more during Rabi season. The average yield is about 10–11 [[quintal|q]]/ha with 15–20 q/ha achievable with improved varieties and optimal management methods.<ref name=Farm/><ref name=Agri/><ref name=File/>

Prior to sowing, the seeds are subject to [[Rhizobium]] culture. Seeds are planted preferably in flat beds in rows 30 cm apart and spaced at 10 cm, and in depths of less than 5 cm. Farm yard manure or compost is used to enhance the fertility of the fields before sowing, say at 15 to 20 tons per ha. While sowing, chemicals added are 50 kg N/ha and 40 kg P205/ha, depending on the inherent fertility values of the soil which can be ascertained by testing the soil. Irrigation water is provided immediately after sowing and then after 30, 70–75, 85–90, and 105–110 days; good drainage is facilitated to prevent any water-logging. Other cultivation methods of hoeing and weeding are done as required. Harvesting is done when the lower leaves of the plant start shedding and the pods turn colour. Timely manual harvesting is done by way of cutting using sickles. The harvested plants are tied in bundles and dried for 5–7 days. Threshing, by hand or using mechanical methods, is done to separate the seeds from the plants. A vacuum gravity separator or spiral gravity separator is used to clean the seeds which are then graded. Disinfected jute bags are used to store the graded seeds and they are kept in moisture-free and airy chambers.<ref name=Farm/><ref name=Agri/>

==Uses==
Fenugreek's seed or pulse is used as a spice and its leaves used as a herb, and also as an admixture in condiments and to flavour food. Its pods and leaves are used as vegetables, as the leaves are rich in protein, minerals and Vitamin C.<ref name=Farm/><ref name=Agri/>

In [[North India]] and Punjab, fresh fenugreek leaf is used in culinary dishes. In its dried form it is used like any other spice. Seed is also sprouted and used.{{Sfn|Nybe|2007|p=206}} Various health benefits are claimed for fenugreek.<ref name=Farm/><ref name="Chandrika"/><ref name=Times>{{Cite news|url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/life-style/food/food-features/Why-we-must-have-fenugreek-daily/articleshow/51193901.cms|title=Why we must have fenugreek daily|date= 29 February 2016|access-date=3 June 2016|newspaper=The Times of India}}</ref>

==References==
{{Reflist|30em}}

==Bibliography==
*{{cite book|last= Chapman |first=Pat |title=India Food and Cooking: The Ultimate Book on Indian Cuisine|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=orHWFRMKf4EC&pg=PA51|date=1 March 2009|publisher=New Holland Publishers|isbn=978-1-84537-619-2}}
*{{cite book|last= Nybe |first=E. V. |title=Spices|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=HHs6ANrJ-MEC&pg=PA206|date=15 January 2007|publisher=New India Publishing|isbn=978-81-89422-44-8}}
*{{cite book|last1=Parthasarathy |first1=V. A. |last2=Chempakam |first2=Bhageerathy |title=Chemistry of Spices|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=5WY08iuJyawC&pg=PA242|year=2008|publisher=CABI|isbn=978-1-84593-420-0}}
*{{cite book|first=Christos V. |last=Fotopoulos|editor=Georgios A. Petropoulos|contribution=Marketing|pages=183–195|title=Fenugreek: The Genus Trigonella|series=Medicinal and Aromatic Plants – Industrial Profiles|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=BKalSd5bInAC&pg=PA187|year= 2003|publisher=CRC Press|isbn=978-0-203-21747-4}}
*{{citation|title=Fenugreek: The Genus Trigonella|series=Medicinal and Aromatic Plants – Industrial Profiles|first=Georgios A. |last=Petropoulos|editor=Georgios A. Petropoulos|publisher=CRC Press|year= 2003|isbn=978-0-203-21747-4|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=BKalSd5bInAC&pg=PA6}}

{{Agriculture in India}}
{{Asia topic|Fenugreek production in}}

[[Category:Agricultural production in India by commodity]]
[[Category:Edible legumes]]
[[Category:Indian cuisine]]
[[Category:Leaf vegetables]]
[[Category:Medicinal plants of Asia]]
[[Category:Nitrogen-fixing crops]]
[[Category:Spices]]
[[Category:Traditional medicine in India]]
[[Category:Trifolieae]]

Fenugreek production in India - Revision history

CleanupBot at 06:53, 11 December 2022