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Fenugreek (Trigonella foenumgraecum) is an annual herb of the legume family. It is native to an area extending from Iran to northern India, but is now widely cultivated elsewhere, including China, North and East Africa, Ukraine and Greece.
Description
Fenugreek leaves are alternate and consist of three ovate leaflets (Figure 1). White flowers appear in early summer and develop into long slender green pods (Figure 2). Mature brown pods contain 20 small yellow seeds. The 2 ft (60 cm) tall stalks almost hide the pea-shaped flowers.
Figure 1. Leaves alternate and are ovate
Figure 2. White flowers develop into pods
Adaptation
Production does well in areas where temperatures range from 8 to 27° C and have an annual precipitation of 16 to 60 in (41 - 152 cm) and a soil pH of 5.3 to 8.2. The plant thrives in full sun on rich, well drained soils. Growth is slow and weak at cold temperatures and in wet soils. Cold, wet soils favour seed decay.
Properties and Uses
Egyptians use fenugreek seeds for medicinal purposes or roast the seeds and use them as coffee. They also eat sprouted seed and fresh leaves. People in India use the leaves as a vegetable and the seed as a spice in curry and source of yellow dye. Derivatives are used as flavouring for imitation maple syrup, vanilla compositions, rum and butterscotch.
Canada and England are testing the suitability of fenugreek as a cash crop. The primary reason it has attracted so much interest in Canada is because of its forage value and ability to fix nitrogen.
Forage Uses
Fenugreek grown at the Agriculture Canada Research Station in Kamloops was analysed for its nutrient content and digestibility. When cut after 22 weeks of growth, it had 14 per cent protein and 73 per cent dry matter digestibility.
Fenugreek has a more sustained release of nitrogen in the rumen for cattle feeding and greater mass digestion than alfalfa. It also contains diosgenin, a growth and reproduction hormone. It is thought that the combined effects of high digestibility and diosgenin content of the fenugreek plant might result in improved growth rates and increased efficiency of feed utilization in beef cattle.
Agronomy
Seeding
Fenugreek should be treated as a hardy annual. Seed in early May in light, well-drained soil. Trials conducted at the University of Saskatchewan showed that a density of about 18 plants per metre of row in rows 6 to 12 in (15 - 30 cm) apart resulted in reasonable yields. Seeding rates range from 24 to 37 lb/ac (27 - 40 kg/ha). Seed will germinate in 2 days and emerge in 7 days when seeded 0.8 to 1.6 in (2 - 4 cm) deep.
Fertilization
Fenugreek is an annual legume that requires little nitrogen fertilizer. University of Saskatchewan studies showed that 54 lb/ac (60 kg/ha) of phosphate increased yield, hastened flowering and reduced plant height compared to both an unfertilized check and a rate of 27 lb/ac (30 kg/ha).
Harvesting
Seed is harvested in a manner similar to alfalfa seed, and seed should be cleaned to market standards. Studies at the University of Saskatchewan showed that shattering was not a problem with fenugreek, and desiccation was not required. The plants can be left in the field until dry-down, usually after a severe frost, and then direct combined. .
Pest Management
Weeds
No chemicals are registered for weed control in Canada at present. Fenugreek is not a strong weed competitor in the early growth stages. Studies at the Crop Diversification Centre South in Brooks found fenugreek tolerant to Edge® at 0.7 lb/ac (0.8 kg/ha). Poast® can be used for grass weed control. Basagran® caused unacceptable crop injury while Sencorr damaged young seedlings, but older plants recovered.
Diseases
Two diseases, cercospora leaf spot and powdery mildew, have been observed on the fenugreek crop. Leaf spot can cause serious defoliation and can also affect stems and pods. If severe, the disease may be a serious constraint to production. Powdery mildew is not a serious disease.
Insects
Aphids are insect pests of fenugreek.
Marketing
International sales are increasing and presently amount to 10,000 to 15,000 tonnes annually. India and Morocco are the major exporters, with the most important market being the Middle East. The principle use of fenugreek is for curry powders. Some seed is used in pharmaceuticals, particularly as a source of steroids.
With seed yields around one tonne per acre and values ranging between $550 to $750 per tonne, there is a potential for large returns with proper marketing. Domestic consumption may increase in the future, driven by an increased demand in ethnic foods.
Prepared by:
Beata Lees
Source: Agdex 147/20-5. April 1998.
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