Senna (Cassia angustifolia) 

Uses

Laxative and  purgative.
 
Parts used

Leaves and pods  

Active Ingredients

Sennosides

Commercial preparation

Dried leaves  are used as an ingredient of Herbal Tea in Europe

India is the largest producer and exporter of senna leaves, pods and sennoside concentrate in the world market.  
Cultural Practices
Soil


Well drained sandy loam to laterite soils of marginal and sub marginal with 7.0-8.5 pH  

Propagation

Seeds. June-July

Seed rate

5 kg / ha.  45x30 cm for higher yield

Varieties

Anand late selection

Manures & Fertilizer

FYM @10t/ha and 60kg/ha N in split doses at sowing, 30 DAS (thinning), after first and second picking of leaves

Irrigation

Irrigation at 7 DAS is crucial 

Weed management

Two-hand weeding  followed by hoeing at 25, 30 and 50 DAS are essential

Pest and diseases



Damping off at seedling stage: Seed treatment of Thiram/Captan  @ 2.5 g/kg of seeds: Leaf spot:  Dithane M-45 @ 0.5% spray Pod borer: Endosulphan @ 0.05% Spray

Harvesting



Harvesting starts  90 DAS and subsequently 30-35 days intervals in dry season to avoid the spoilage of leaves and pods. Leaves and pods are sun dried before storage.

Yield Pods: 7-10 q/ha., Leaves: 15-20 q/ha