Fenugreek
© 2002 Georgios A. Petropoulos
Medicinal and Aromatic Plants – Industrial Profiles
Individual volumes in this series provide both industry and academia with in-depth coverage of
one major medicinal or aromatic plant of industrial importance.
Edited by Roland Hardman
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Volume 6
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Saffron
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Volume 9
Tea Tree
Edited by Ian Southwell and Robert Lowe
Volume 10
Basil
Edited by Raimo Hiltunen and Yvonne Holm
Volume 11
Fenugreek
Edited by Georgios A. Petropoulos
© 2002 Georgios A. Petropoulos
Fenugreek
The genus Trigonella
Edited by
Georgios A. Petropoulos
London and New York
© 2002 Georgios A. Petropoulos
First published 2002
by Taylor & Francis
11 New Fetter Lane, London EC4P 4EE
Simultaneously published in the USA and Canada
by Taylor & Francis Inc,
29 West 35th Street, New York, NY 10001
Taylor & Francis is an imprint of the Taylor & Francis Group
This edition published in the Taylor & Francis e-Library, 2003.
© 2002 Georgios A. Petropoulos
All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reprinted or reproduced or utilised in
any form or by any electronic, mechanical, or other means, now known or hereafter
invented, including photocopying and recording, or in any information storage or
retrieval system, without permission in writing from the publishers.
Every effort has been made to ensure that the advice and information in this book
is true and accurate at the time of going to press. However, neither the publisher nor
the authors can accept any legal responsibility or liability for any errors or omissions
that may be made. In the case of drug administration, any medical procedure or the
use of technical equipment mentioned within this book, you are strongly advised to
consult the manufacturer’s guidelines.
British Library Cataloguing in Publication Data
A catalogue record for this book is available from the British Library
Library of Congress Cataloging in Publication Data
Fenugreek: the genus Trigonella / edited by George A. Petropoulos.
p. cm – (Medicinal and aromatic plants – industrial profiles)
ISBN 0-415-29657-9 (hbk.)
1. Fenugreek. I. Petropoulos, George A. II. Series.
SB317 .F44 F45 2002
633.8⬘8—dc21
ISBN 0-203-21747-0 Master e-book ISBN
ISBN 0-203-27322-2 (Adobe eReader Format)
ISBN 0-415-29657-9 (Print Edition)
© 2002 Georgios A. Petropoulos
2002072359
Contents
List of figures
List of tables
List of contributors
Preface to the series
Preface
Acknowledgments
1 Introduction
vii
ix
xi
xii
xiv
xvi
1
GEORGIOS A. PETROPOULOS
2 Botany
9
GEORGIOS A. PETROPOULOS AND PANAGIOTIS KOULOUMBIS
3 Physiology
18
CAROLINE G. SPYROPOULOS
4 Cultivation
26
GEORGIOS A. PETROPOULOS
5 Breeding
73
GEORGIOS A. PETROPOULOS
6 Nutrition and use of fertilizers
103
PANAGIOTIS KOULOUMBIS
7 Pests and diseases
120
GEORGE MANICAS
8 Weeds
128
C.N. GIANNOPOLITIS
9 Chemical constituents
132
HELEN SKALTSA
10 Pharmacological properties
162
MOLHAM AL-HABORI AND AMALA RAMAN
11 Marketing
CHRISTOS V. FOTOPOULOS
© 2002 Georgios A. Petropoulos
183
Figures
3.1
4.1
4.2
4.3
4.4
4.5
4.6
4.7
4.8
4.9
4.10
4.11
4.12
4.13
4.14
4.15
4.16
4.17
4.18
4.19
4.20
4.21
5.1
5.2
-Galactosidase and endo--mannanase activities in the endosperms
of fenugreek seeds and the dry weight of six extracted endosperms ⫹
testa at several imbibition times
Multistock and monostock plants of fenugreek, due to the corresponding
low and high plant density (1⫽monostock, 2⫽multistock)
Relationship between earliness of sowing and earliness of flowering and
consequently of maturity (based on sowing in mid-May)
A typical nodule of Rhizobium meliloti 2012 on fenugreek
Small and scattered ineffective nodules over secondary roots of fenugreek
Degree of nodulation of fenugreek plants with Rhizobium meliloti 2012
in (a) virgin and (b) non virgin soil
Effect of nodulation with Rhizobium meliloti 2012 on seed yield of
fenugreek plants
Prolonged period of seed germination of Moroccan and especially of
Kenyan cultivar of fenugreek, due to their higher percentage of hard seeds
Relationship between scarification time by concentrated sulphuric acid and
percentage of fenugreek seed germination, with optimum time in 35–40 min
The first growth habit of a fenugreek seedling
‘Blind’ shoot of fenugreek with axillary and terminal flower
The different parts of the corolla of a fenugreek flower
The relative position of the stamens and pistil of a fenugreek flower
A ‘cleistogamous’ (closed) flower of fenugreek, that favours self-pollination
An ‘aneictogamous’ (open) flower of fenugreek, that favours cross-pollination
Diagram of the four stages of development in a fenugreek flower
Twin pods on the top of the fenugreek mutant plant RH 3112
The different parts of a fenugreek seed
Rectangular (down) and round (upper) shape of fenugreek seeds
Leaves of four breeding cultivars of fenugreek
Seeds of four breeding cultivars of fenugreek
Chromatogram of fenugreek seeds of four breeding cultivars, showing
the presence of only one colour spot in the Fluorescent cultivar
The lower position of the pistil in comparison to the stamens, after the half
part of the second stage of a cleistogamous flower of fenugreek, that enables
the free deposition of pollen on the stigma, favouring self-pollination
Difference in four characters between colorata and pallida type plants
of fenugreek
© 2002 Georgios A. Petropoulos
20
29
30
31
32
33
34
36
37
38
39
40
41
41
42
43
44
45
46
51
52
53
75
78
viii List of figures
5.3
5.4
5.5
5.6
5.7
5.8
5.9
5.10
5.11
5.12
5.13
5.14
5.15
6.1
6.2
6.3
7.1
7.2
7.3
9.1
9.2
9.3
9.4
9.5
9.6
9.7
9.8
9.9
9.10
10.1
11.1
A radiation device (installation) with the special raising mechanism
for irradiating the source, in operation
The same device with the special mechanism to lower the source into
its protective lead shield, during visits to the experimental area
Orbitic sowing of the field irradiation area 1 m apart
Amount of irradiation received by the fenugreek plants according to
their distance from the center of the source
Amount of irradiation received by the reproductive organs of the fenugreek
plants, according to their distance from the center of the source
Correlation between seed irradiation dose with acute gamma rays and
flowering days of fenugreek
Correlation between seed irradiation dose with acute gamma rays and
height of fenugreek plants
Reduction in height of fenugreek plants, due to seed irradiation with
acute gamma rays
Correlation between seed yield and seed irradiation dose with acute
gamma rays
Reduction in root length of fenugreek plants, due to seed irradiation
with acute gamma rays
Correlation between protein content of fenugreek seed and the number
of favourable phenotypes of plant to this direction
Susceptibility of Moroccan cultivar of fenugreek to attacks by the fungus
Oidiopsis sp.
Aphid and mechanical transmission of BYMV to fenugreek plants
Leaves of different fenugreek cultivars with symptoms of
mineral deficiencies
Boron deficiency symptoms in a hybrid fenugreek plant
(Fluorescent ⫻ Kenyan)
Manganese deficiency symptoms on a fenugreek plant of the Ethiopian
cultivar
Fenugreek leaves covered by different diseases
Fenugreek plants affected by the fungus Ascochyta sp., where the leaves
have died and fallen
Dark brown and black spots of the fungus Heterosporium sp., spread on
the surface of the fenugreek pods
Chemical structures of sapogenins
Chemical structures of asparasaponin I and compound XII
Chemical structures of trigofoenosides A, D, F, G
Chemical structures of trigofoenosides B, C, E
Chemical structures of trigoneosides Ia, IIa, IIIa
Chemical structures of trigoneosides Ib, IIb, IIIb
Chemical structures of trigoneosides IVa, Va, Vb, VI, VIIb, VIIIb
Chemical structures of trigoneosides Xa, Xb, XIb, XIIa, XIIb, XIIIa
Chemical structures of glycoside D, glycoside F and compound C
Chemical structures of commonly encountered Isoflavonoid
Phytoalexins in Trigonella species
Putative anti-diabetic or hypocholesterolaemic compounds
in fenugreek seeds
The structure of the spice industry
© 2002 Georgios A. Petropoulos
81
81
82
83
84
85
86
87
87
88
92
95
96
108
111
114
123
124
125
133
136
137
138
138
139
140
142
144
151
163
186
Tables
2.1 A list of the well known species of the genus Trigonella
2.2 Natural or local names of fenugreek, in different countries
3.1 -Galactosidase activity and galactomannan levels in endosperms of
fenugreek seeds after 48 h of imbibition, following the excision of
the axis after 5 h
3.2 -Galactosidase and endo--mannanase activity of leached or non-leached
endosperms that were isolated from 5-h-imbibed seeds and incubated
in water, in the endosperm ⫹ testa leachate or in PEG, for 20 h
4.1 Determination of the water requirements for seed germination among four
breeding cultivars of fenugreek
4.2 Determination of the hardness of fenugreek seeds due to the drying conditions
4.3 List of the most used varieties of cultivars of fenugreek in the world
4.4 Agronomical and chemical evaluation of four breeding cultivars
4.5 Theoretical seed yield of four breeding cultivars, based on seed yield
components by UK conditions
4.6 List of some promising genotypes of fenugreek
4.7 Yield components for different varieties and various environmental conditions
4.8 Recapitulation of the reported therapeutical properties of fenugreek
4.9 Human and animal diseases or disorders that have been reported as cured
by using fenugreek, as a remedy
5.1 List of ten morphological characters of fenugreek, for which the way of
inheritance has been investigated
5.2 Sensitivity of four breeding cultivars of fenugreek to attacks by three
different pathogens
5.3 Precocity of four breeding cultivars of fenugreek
5.4 Resistance to lodging of four breeding cultivars of fenugreek
6.1 Proportion of main nutrients removed by fenugreek hay
6.2 Amount of nutrients removed annually by the production of fenugreek hay/ha
6.3 Amount of nutrients removed annually by the edible portion of fenugreek
seed production/ha
6.4 Analysis of plant nutrients in fenugreek stalks and empty pods
6.5 Boron deficiency symptoms for four fenugreek cultivars
6.6 Magnesium (Mg) deficiency symptoms in four fenugreek breeding cultivars
6.7 Manganese (Mn) deficiency symptoms on four fenugreek breeding cultivars
7.1 The main pest enemies reported to attack fenugreek plants
7.2 The major diseases reported to attack plants of
certain species of the genus Trigonella
© 2002 Georgios A. Petropoulos
10
15
21
22
35
36
49
52
54
54
62
66
67
77
95
98
98
105
105
105
106
110
112
113
120
122
x List of tables
10.1 Summary of the reported anti-diabetic properties of fenugreek in vivo
10.2 Summary of the reported hypocholesterolaemic and hypolipidaemic
effects of fenugreek in vivo
11.1 Area production and export of fenugreek from India
11.2 Fenugreek spice exports from India during 1991–2 to 1995–6
© 2002 Georgios A. Petropoulos
165
170
188
188
Contributors
Molham Al-Habori, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Sana’a, Sana’a,
Republik of Yemen.
Christos V. Fotopoulos, National Agricultural Research Foundation (NAgReF), 4
Micropoulou str. 14121 N. Iraklio, Athens, Greece.
C.N. Giannopolitis, Benaki Phytopathological Institute, Weed Science Department, Greece.
Panagiotis Kouloumbis, National Agricultural Research Foundation (NAgReF), Athens Soil
Science Institute, Greece.
George Manicas, 32, Analipseos str., 15235 Vrilissia, Greece.
Georgios A. Petropoulos, 4, Antiopis str., 173 43 Athens, Greece.
Amala Raman, King’s College London, Department of Pharmacy, United Kingdom.
Helen Skaltsa, School of Pharmacy, Department of Pharmacognosy and Chemistry of Natural
Compounds, University of Athens, Panepistimiopolis, Zografou, GR-15771, Athens, Greece.
Caroline G. Spyropoulos, University of Athens, Department of Biology, Institute of General
Botany, Athens, Greece.
© 2002 Georgios A. Petropoulos
Preface to the series
There is increasing interest in industry, academia and the health sciences in medicinal and
aromatic plants. In passing from plant production to the eventual product used by the public,
many sciences are involved. This series brings together information which is currently scattered
through an ever increasing number of journals. Each volume gives an in-depth look at one plant
genus, about which an area specialist has assembled information ranging from the production of
the plant to market trends and quality control.
Many industries are involved such as forestry, agriculture, chemical, food, flavour, beverage,
pharmaceutical, cosmetic and fragrance. The plant raw materials are roots, rhizomes, bulbs,
leaves, stems, barks, wood, flowers, fruits and seeds. These yield gums, resins, essential (volatile)
oils, fixed oils, waxes, juices, extracts and spices for medicinal and aromatic purposes. All these
commodities are traded worldwide. A dealer’s market report for an item may say ‘Drought in the
country of origin has forced up prices’.
Natural products do not mean safe products and account of this has to be taken by the above
industries, which are subject to regulation. For example, a number of plants which are approved
for use in medicine must not be used in cosmetic products.
The assessment of safe to use starts with the harvested plant material which has to
comply with an official monograph. This may require absence of, or prescribed limits of,
radioactive material, heavy metals, aflatoxin, pesticide residue, as well as the required level of
active principle. This analytical control is costly and tends to exclude small batches of
plant material. Large scale contracted mechanized cultivation with designated seed or plantlets
is now preferable.
Today, plant selection is not only for the yield of active principle, but for the plant’s ability to
overcome disease, climatic stress and the hazards caused by mankind. Such methods as in vitro
fertilization, meristem cultures and somatic embryogenesis are used. The transfer of sections of
DNA is giving rise to controversy in the case of some end-uses of the plant material.
Some suppliers of plant raw material are now able to certify that they are supplying organicallyfarmed medicinal plants, herbs and spices. The Economic Union directive (CVO/EU No 2092/
91) details the specifications for the obligatory quality controls to be carried out at all stages of
production and processing of organic products.
Fascinating plant folklore and ethnopharmacology leads to medicinal potential. Examples are
the muscle relaxants based on the arrow poison, curare, from species of Chondrodendron, and the
anti-malarials derived from species of Cinchona and Artemisia.The methods of detection of pharmacological activity have become increasingly reliable and specific, frequently involving
enzymes in bioassays and avoiding the use of laboratory animals. By using bioassay linked fractionation of crude plant juices or extracts, compounds can be specifically targeted which, for
© 2002 Georgios A. Petropoulos
Preface to the series
xiii
example, inhibit blood platelet aggregation, or have anti-tumour, or anti-viral, or any other
required activity. With the assistance of robotic devices, all the members of a genus may be
readily screened. However, the plant material must be fully authenticated by a specialist.
The medicinal traditions of ancient civilizations such as those of China and India have a large
armamentaria of plants in their pharmacopoeias which are used throughout South-East Asia.
A similar situation exists in Africa and South America. Thus, a very high percentage of the
World’s population relies on medicinal and aromatic plants for their medicine. Western medicine is also responding. Already in Germany all medical practitioners have to pass an examination in phytotherapy before being allowed to practise. It is noticeable that throughout Europe
and the USA, medical, pharmacy and health related schools are increasingly offering training in
phytotherapy.
Multinational pharmaceutical companies have become less enamoured of the single
compound magic bullet cure. The high costs of such ventures and the endless competition from
‘me too’ compounds from rival companies often discourage the attempt. Independent phytomedicine companies have been very strong in Germany. However, by the end of 1995, eleven
(almost all) had been acquired by the multinational pharmaceutical firms, acknowledging the
lay public’s growing demand for phytomedicines in the Western World.
The business of dietary supplements in the Western World has expanded from the health
store to the pharmacy. Alternative medicine includes plant-based, products. Appropriate measures to ensure the quality, safety and efficacy of these either already exist or are being answered
by greater legislative control by such bodies as the Food and Drug Administration of the USA
and the recently created European Agency for the Evaluation of Medicinal Products, based in
London.
In the USA, the Dietary Supplement and Health Education Act of 1994 recognized the class
of phytotherapeutic agents derived from medicinal and aromatic plants. Furthermore, under
public pressure, the US Congress set up an Office of Alternative Medicine and this office in 1994
assisted the filing of several Investigational New Drug (IND) applications, required for clinical
trials of some Chinese herbal preparations. The significance of these applications was that each
Chinese preparation involved several plants and yet was handled as a single IND. A demonstration of the contribution to efficacy, of each ingredient of each plant, was not required. This was
a major step forward towards more sensible regulations in regard to phytomedicines.
My thanks are due to the staffs of Harwood Academic Publishers and Taylor & Francis who
have made this series possible and especially to the volume editors and their chapter contributors
for the authoritative information.
Roland Hardman
© 2002 Georgios A. Petropoulos
Preface
In recent decades increasing attention has been paid in utilization and consumption of natural
and traditional products (foods, flavours, colours, perfumes, phytotherapeutics etc.), because
modern scientific knowledge and technologies have revealed that many chemical products of
synthetic origin of this kind are responsible for a lot of new hazards and disorders for human
beings.
The plant species of the genus Trigonella and especially that of T. foenum-graecum L. (fenugreek)
is a good example, which has been used traditionally to cover such human needs. Fenugreek is
cultivated all over the world and mainly in India and the Mediterranean countries as chemurgic,
cash and good renovator of soil crop and as a multi-purpose legume, is used as forage, food, spice,
perfume, insect repellent, dye, herbal medicine etc.
The biological and pharmaceutical actions of fenugreek are attributed to the variety of its
constituents including steroids (diosgenin), alkaloids (trigonelline), flavonoids (luteolin),
coumarins, aminoacids (hydroxyisoleucine), mucilage (galactomannan), volatile constituents
(HDFM), fixed oils and other substances.
Species of the genus Trigonella and particularly fenugreek are well known for their pungent
aromatic, high nutritive and multi-therapeutical properties and serve culinary, medicinal and
industrial purposes.
As there is today an emerging change in food habits preference for natural colouring, flavouring and revolution in packaging, fenugreek could contribute to this direction, as its seeds are
a component of many curry preparations and are used to colour and flavour food, stimulate
appetite and help digestion.
Fenugreek is one of the oldest known medicinal plants from ancient times and even
Hippocrates thought highly of it. Fenugreek seeds which are described in the Greek and Latin
Pharmacopoeias are said to have anti-diabetic activity and hypocholesterolaemic effects and have
been reported to possess a curative gastric anti-ulcer action and anti-fertility and anti-nociceptive
effects. The therapeutic efficacy of fenugreek extracts in providing sedation has been proved by
many pharmacological and clinical experiments. So, many of its actions as remedy have been
confirmed and the mechanisms of their activity are being studied. Also, some other properties of
fenugreek which have been reported but received less attention include anti-cancer, anti-bacterial,
anthelmintic, anti-cholinergic, wound healing activities, etc.
Fenugreek seed as a source of diosgenin, that is the base for the production of the oral contraceptives and rich in protein and fixed oils, could make a two-fold economic contribution to the
world’s increasing population problems, by assisting in birth control and at the same time, providing additional food, especially for people, where meatless diets are customary for cultural and
religious reasons.
© 2002 Georgios A. Petropoulos
Preface xv
Finally, it is doubtful if any other plant crop, while saving energy by fixation of atmospheric
nitrogen, has such potential for making a major contribution to the world’s food supply, to
reduce hunger, improve health care and help population control.
Georgios A. Petropoulos
© 2002 Georgios A. Petropoulos
Acknowledgments
I would like to thank the numerous people who helped to make this work possible. In
particular I appreciate Dr R. Hardman for his continuous advice and helpful suggestions,
Dr Anthony Dweck, Research Director of Peter Black Toiletries and Cosmetics Ltd. for
providing a data base of references on the use and history of fenugreek and Demetrios Cotarides
for his assistance with the drawings.
Finally I am indebted to my family for their continuous encouragement.
© 2002 Georgios A. Petropoulos
1
Introduction
Georgios A. Petropoulos
This introductory chapter deals with a brief analysis of the history, world cultivated area, main
uses, needs for research and future trends of the most important species of the genus Trigonella
and especially that of T. foenum-graecum (fenugreek).
History
Plants of the genus Trigonella and particularly of the cultivated species T. foenum-graecum
(fenugreek) were known and used for different purposes in ancient times, especially in Greece
and Egypt (Rouk and Mangesha, 1963). In North Africa it has been cultivated around the
Saharan oases since very early times (Duke, 1986).
Hidvegi et al. (1984) report that references to the utilization of fenugreek are found as far back
as 1578, when detailed information on the plant is given in the famous Kolozsvar Herbarium
compiled by Melius (1578). In this Transylvanian Herbarium the ‘warming and very drying’
nature of fenugreek and its antique sources are emphasized. Fenugreek seeds were found in the
tomb of Tutankhamun (Manniche, 1989). Portius Cato, a Roman authority on animal husbandry in the second century BC ordered foenum-graecum, that was today’s fenugreek, to be shown
as fodder for oxen (Fazli and Hardman, 1968). Antiochus Epiphanes, King of Syria, and all those
who entered the gymnasium to witness the games were anointed with perfumes from golden
dishes that contained fenugreek and other aromatic plants (Leyel, 1987). Leaves of fenugreek
were one of the components of the celebrated Egyptian Incense Kuphi, a holy smoke used in
fumigation and embalming rites (Rosengarten, 1969). Miller (1969) reports that fenugreek was
a spice plant mentioned in classical texts.
Historically, fenugreek is one of the oldest known medicinal plants and even Hippocrates
thought highly of it (Lust, 1986; Schauenberg and Paris, 1990). There is a prescription for the
rejuvenational properties of fenugreek of Pharaonic date (Manniche, 1989). Fenugreek was first
introduced into Chinese medicine in the Sung dynasty, AD 1057 (Jones, 1989). Dioscorides,
a greek physician of Anazarbus in Cilicia, father of Pharmacology, at AD 65, in his examination
of the definition and function of spices in his Materia Medica, writes that fenugreek is an active
compound of ointments (Miller, 1969). He also describes a concoction of fenugreek seeds to treat
the vulva. In the seventeenth century fenugreek seeds were recommended to help expel the
placenta of women after giving birth (Howard, 1987). The herb has long been a favourite of the
Arabs and it was studied at the School of Salermo by Arab physicians (Stuart, 1986). Fenugreek
was known and cultivated as forage in ancient Greece. Theophrastus had given it the greek
names Bo⬘ (Voukeras) and T⬘ (Tilis) and the oil produced from it was called t⬘ o
o (oil of Tilis). Probably fenugreek is one of the forages known to have been cultivated
before the era of recorded history. As a fodder plant, it is said to be the Hedysarum of
© 2002 Georgios A. Petropoulos
2
Georgios A. Petropoulos
Theophrastus and Dioscorides (Leyel, 1987). Dioscorides also says that the Egyptians called it
‘itasin’ (Manniche, 1989). In the Middle Ages it is recorded that fenugreek was added to inferior
hay, because of its peculiar pleasant smell (Howard, 1987).
Fenugreek was introduced into Central Europe at the start of the ninth century (Schauenberg
and Paris, 1990), according to Fazli and Hardman (1968) Charlemagne encouraged its cultivation in this area. Rosengarten (1969) reports that the Romans obtained the plant from the
Greeks, and that it became a commercial commodity of the Roman Empire (Miller, 1969), while
Stuart (1986) and Howard (1987) support the contention that Benedictine monks introduced
the plant into medieval Europe. However, it is not mentioned in any herbal literature until the
sixteenth century, when it was recorded as grown in England.
Cultivated area
Furry (1950) describes five cultivated species of the genus Trigonella as: T. foenum-graecum,
T. caerulea, T. polycerata, T. monspeliaca and T. suavissima, while in Flora European (Ivimey-Cook,
1968) only two species to be cultivated are reported: T. foenum-graecum and T. caerulea; the last
one has also been reported as cultivated by Uphof (1968). However, statistics of the cultivated
area for forage and seed production are not available, except for the T. foenum-graecum (fenugreek).
Fenugreek has been reported as a cultivated crop in Portugal, Spain, United Kingdom,
Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Greece, Turkey, Egypt, Sudan, Ethiopia, Kenya, Tanzania,
Israel, Lebanon, Morocco, Tunisia, India, Pakistan, China, Japan, Russia, Argentine and the
United States of America (Rouk and Mangesha, 1963; Fazli and Hardman, 1968; Rosengarten,
1969). At the present time fenugreek is an important cash crop in India (the leading fenugreek
producing country), Morocco, China, Pakistan, Spain, Tunisia, Turkey, Lebanon, Israel, Egypt,
Ethiopia, Kenya, Tanzania etc. (Smith, 1982; Edison, 1995).
As far as the world cultivated area of fenugreek and the annual production of seed are
concerned, statistics are very limited and scattered, as the area seeded with fenugreek is relatively small and not recorded by the agricultural statistics of different countries. In spite of this,
the following analysis based on the exported quantities of the principal producing countries, the
domestic use of fenugreek and the existing statistics of the cultivated area for some countries,
represents a reasonably accurate assessment of the world production and cultivated area of
fenugreek.
So, taking into consideration that:
1
2
3
The cultivated area of fenugreek in India, an average for the last twenty years
(1975–95), accounts for 34,534 ha with a production of 41,530 tons and an export of
4203 tons, that is domestic use accounts for 90 per cent of the production (Anonymous,
1996).
Recently, there has been an increase in the export of fenugreek from India: in 1994–95 it
accounted for 7,956 tons (Anonymous, 1996). According to Edison (1995) India claims
70–80 per cent of the world export in fenugreek. This means that the world export of
fenugreek until 1995 fluctuated around 10,500 tons, and export from the other countries
mentioned above can be estimated as approaching 2,700 tons. According to the forementioned considerations, the cultivated area from these countries accounts for about
22,000 ha with a production of 26,700 tons.
These considerations permit us to estimate that in the world, the annually cultivated area of
fenugreek amounts to roughly 57,000 ha with a seed production of 68,000 tons.
© 2002 Georgios A. Petropoulos
Introduction
3
The wide distribution of fenugreek is indicated by the large number of names that it has in
several languages, with Arabic, Indian, Sanskrit, Greek and Latin roots. It has many local names
(see Chapter 2).
Uses
Almost all the species of the genus Trigonella are strongly scented (Anonymous, 1994) and most
of them are used as insect repellent (Chopra et al., 1949; Duke, 1986) for the protection of
grains, cloths, etc.; while the essential oils of some of them are a very valuable raw material for
the perfumery (Fazli and Hardman, 1968).
Most of these species (T. foenum-graecum, T. caerulea, T. corniculata, T. hamosa, T. balansae,
T. laciniata, T. marginata, T. occulta, T. anguina, T. arabica, T. glabra, T. stelata, T. coerulenses,
T. spinosa, T. sibthorpii, T. spicata, etc.) are rich in protein, vitamins and amino acids (Hidvegi
et al., 1984), while the seeds and the fresh material are used as forage, especially for cattle,
mainly in the eastern Mediterranean area. In particulars T. arabica and T. stelata are foraged by
animals in the desert areas of the Sahara, Palestine and the Dead Sea (Allen and Allen, 1981).
Several species of Trigonella (T. foenum-graecum, T. balansae, T. corniculata, T. maritima, T. spicata,
T. coerulea, T. occulta, T. polycerata, T. calliceras, T. cretica, etc.) contain some interesting, from the
pharmaceutical point of view, phytochemical compounds belonging to steroids, flavonoids and
alkaloids (Anonymous, 1994) and efforts are being made to use some of them as a source of these
constituents, especially of the steroidal diosgenin (Hardman, 1969). Seeds of these species also
yield choline, a semicrystalline white saponin, a lactation-stimulating oil and various gums
(Allen and Allen, 1981).
The alkaloid trigonelline has been isolated from plant parts, mainly seeds of T. caerulea, T. cretica,
T. foenum-graecum, T. lilacina, T. radiata, T. spinosa (Allen and Allen, 1981) and T. polycerata
(Mehra et al., 1996). This pyridine alkaloid is known for its hypoglycemic and hypocholesterolaimic
properties (Mehra et al., 1996).
Some of these species are also used in traditional as well as veterinary medicine for different
diseases, alone or in combination with other remedies: T. occulta, T. polycerata and T. uncata are
included among the Indian herbals along with T. foenum-graecum (Hardman and Fazli, 1972).
The well developed endosperm of most of the species is rich in the polysaccharide mucilage
(galactomannan) that has wide uses in industry including in pharmaceuticals and cosmetics.
In some parts of Pakistan and India T. corniculata is used for different purposes: its young tops
are currently used as a green vegetable, the dried herb as a flavouring agent and its seeds for the
treatment of swellings and bruises (Hardman and Fazli, 1972).
Chopped foliage of the species T. caerulea (sweet trefoil) is used in Switzerland for flavouring
green cheeses: Schabzieger, Chapsiger and Serred Vert. In some parts of Tirol sweet trefoil is used for
flavouring the bread called Brotwnrze. Sweet trefoil is also employed as a condiment in soups and
potatoes, as a decoction for tea, and as flavouring in Chinese tea (Allen and Allen, 1981).
Hardman and Fazli (1972) report that in Switzerland sweet trefoil has also been used in herbal
medicine.
The varied and numerous special uses of the species T. foenum-graecum (fenugreek) are
described in more detail in Chapter 4.
Need for research
This section reports on T. foenum-graecum (fenugreek), which is the only widely cultivated species
of the genus Trigonella.
© 2002 Georgios A. Petropoulos
4
Georgios A. Petropoulos
Fenugreek faces problems that keep it from reaching its full potential. Recently Edison
(1995) reported that in India there are problems in improving the productivity of spices, one of
which is fenugreek, due to:
●
●
●
●
●
●
●
●
●
lack of advanced breeding methods for creation of high yielding varieties
inherent inability expressed through poor and slow germination
lack of adequate genetic variability
lack of research based on crop rotation and cropping system
inadequate techniques for diagnostic tests and screening for host resistance
poor methods of nutrition and general management, particularly in light and sandy
soils
lack of incentives for seed production and poor storage facilities
inadequate production and delivery systems of high quality planting material
lack of facilitation of import genetic material for evolving new and improved varieties.
In order to overcome these problems, the following strategies have been under consideration
(Edison, 1995):
●
●
●
●
●
●
●
investigation of yield and loss forecasting models for both the producer and the trader
import/exchange of valuable germplasm and promising varieties from the main regions of
the Mediterranean in order to overcome the yield barrier
production, distribution and delivery guaranteed planting material (certified seeds)
identification on the basis of region suitable variety and choosing the best one together with
the package of practices
organization of demonstration fields
motivating farmers to apply improved management techniques
organizing cooperative markets and conducting producer–buyer–trader meetings in
respective centres.
In India, in the last fifty years, eight research and development plans have been established
for spices, including fenugreek, through a wide network of research institutions and state
universities under the All India Coordinated Research Project (A.I.C.R.P, Edison, 1995).
Similar problems are faced by fenugreek growers in other fenugreek producing countries
throughout the world. Further, the necessary research information is not available to help them
make correct decisions regarding existing problems.
It is a safe assumption, however, that all these problems can be solved by approaches through
a well planned research programme taking into consideration the research priorities for
fenugreek.
Projections must relate to comparative high yields, lower production costs, development of
improved and better adapted varieties characterized by higher quantity and better quality, investigation of technological changes in production and utilization techniques and development of
improved management practices; in general, fenugreek is grown under poor management
conditions (Paroda and Karwasra, 1975).
A significant increase in yields through the suitable use of irrigation and adequate levels of
soil fertility could make an immediate and important contribution to farm income. The very
high yields recorded under experimental conditions (Petropoulos, 1973; Evans, 1989) and the
reported big differences in seed yield among twenty-nine ecotypes (Banyai, 1973) suggest that it
is not taking full advantage of the yield capacity of many fenugreek varieties.
© 2002 Georgios A. Petropoulos
Introduction
5
Production cost is increasing and research must help the farmer, so that the money invested in
increasing crop yields is reflected in the amount and the quality of collected seed or forage.
Adaptable and improved genotypes and varieties are needed, suitable for: mechanization, no
scattering of seed, high yielding and seed content characterized by high active constituents
(diosgenin, protein etc., Cornish et al., 1983), resistant to diseases, pests and drought. However,
fenugreek is generally considered an unpretentious plant and rarely subject to diseases and pests
(Sinskaya, 1961; Hardman, 1969; Duke, 1986).
The creation of a genotype without the peculiar smell that causes the tainting of animal products (milk, meat) and its derivatives (Molfino, 1947; Talelis, 1967) for an unlimited parallel use
as forage for better valorization of the crop, should be another research objective. This objective
should be based on the condition that progress in this goal is not offset by losses in some other
valuable crop attributes.
There is also a need for research in the investigation and adaptation of new, more rapid and
accurate analytical methods, for isolation and characterization of steroids, for analysis and utilization of the flavour extracts, the nutritive value of protein, the bread making ability of seed,
and in general for the analysis and utilization of the other active constituents of fenugreek. The
increase of the diosgenin content during the growing period through fertilization (Kozlowski
et al., 1982), use of herbicides (Mohamed, 1983) and other cultivation methods, as well as post
harvest treatments through fermentation (Evans, 1989), incubation (Elujoba and Hardman,
1985), enzymes (Elujoba and Hardman, 1987), hormonal influence (Hardman and Stevens,
1978), tissue culture (Stevens and Hardman, 1974) and other biotechnological methods are
some of the other critical areas.
The identification of the mechanisms of fenugreek galactomannan biosynthesis (during seed
development) and hydrolysis (during germination) in order to produce transformed fenugreek
plants, where the ratio Gal./Man. is appropriate for industrial use (Reid and Meier, 1970; Li
et al., 1980), needs further research efforts. The complete mechanization of sowing, harvesting,
threshing and cleaning of fenugreek seed to increase yields and reduce the cost of production
are also critical areas for research. This will help scientists to develop, through integrated
research management programmes, means to establish optimum levels of fenugreek production
and to optimize the yield of active constituents per unit area for a wide range of environmental
and other conditions and for specific farming situations.
Future trends
The usefulness of fenugreek as a commercial and chemurgic crop is now being recognized, not
only as a break-crop for cereal areas, where it is a very good soil renovator (Duke, 1986), but as
forage, medicinal plant, source of diosgenin (the most important raw material for the steroid
industry) and other constituents (protein, fixed oils, mucilage), as well as for culinary uses: as a
traditional and modern flavouring.
Fenugreek is grown in about 57,000 ha with a production of 68,000 tons. Higher seed yield
per hectare will be obtained through superior varieties and better management practices and
may contribute to an increase in the crop worldwide; however, in India during the eighth plan of
research and development, the overall growth rate of spices, including fenugreek, was 8 per cent.
Fenugreek with the other spices, is a major source of foreign exchange for India (Edison, 1995).
From the world production of fenugreek it can be estimated that more than half is produced
in India. India consumes domestically 90 per cent of its own production and claims 70–80
per cent of the world exports in fenugreek (Edison, 1995). Although the market for fenugreek
is considerably small, there is a world incremental growth rate in demand of 4 per cent
© 2002 Georgios A. Petropoulos
6
Georgios A. Petropoulos
and a steady increase in exports as recently reported by Edison (1995), who is the key-man for
spices of India and especially for fenugreek seeds, and later by an anonymous study (1996).
It is obvious that all this information on the characteristics and cultivation of fenugreek, like
other specific crop plants, cannot serve as the sole basis for predicting immediate and long-term
trends. But it is believed that the following facts, which have been noticed during the last years,
open new prospects that could presage changes in farm practices that will affect positively the
future of fenugreek production, especially in traditional fenugreek producing countries:
1
2
3
4
5
As recently reported by Edison (1995) there is an emerging change in food habits, preference
for natural colouring and flavouring in fast food restaurants chains, microwave cooking,
revolution in packaging and demand for quality assurance in relation to ISO 9000. It has
been estimated that these changes will increase the world demand for spices, including
fenugreek. Its exports from India increased in 1995–96, more than two-fold on an average
over the last three years, reaching the amount of 15,135 tons (Anonymous, 1996). This
increase in combination with the recently signed Uruguay Round Agreements for spice
marketing (Nandakumar, 1997) will create new prospects for its cultivation.
One possible application, for which it is claimed fenugreek has good prospects, is its
utilization as source of diosgenin, a steroidal precursor. Diosgenin is of importance to the
pharmaceutical industry as a starting material in the partial synthesis of corticosteroids, sex
hormones and oral contraceptives. At present, natural diosgenin is obtained mainly from
the tubers of certain wild species of Dioscorea in Mexico, a process that is costly and difficult,
requiring several years before the tubers grow to a size with significant content of diosgenin. On the other hand fenugreek is an unpretentious plant (Sinskaya, 1961; Hardman,
1969) and gives a consistent seed yield in a short growing period. The extraction of diosgenin from fenugreek may become attractive as today’s widely used synthetic diosgenin will
be implicated for some side-effects. But this extraction must be economically viable not
through a fall in the price, but by the increase of its diosgenin content with genetic,
agronomic and biotechnological methods and by reduction of the cost production, in such a
manner that it will be attractive and be able to offer more prospects to growers.
The recent investigation of a technical development involving the spraying of liquid
flavours of fenugreek on foodstuffs is claimed to give a better flavour dispersion than the
usual method of simply sprinkling the dry flavour compound on the feed (Smith, 1982) and
because of this the demand for fenugreek will increase rapidly. It is well known that the
fenugreek flavour extract for animal feed, for both ruminants and pigs, is the main reason
for fenugreek seed exports in the United Kingdom and other European countries (Smith,
1982).
The preparation of bread from fenugreek for those suffering from diabetes is ideal. It has
less starch and polysaccharides are present in the form of silico-phosphoric ester of
manogalactan, which is not hydrolyzed by ptyalin or pancreatic amylase (Kamel, 1932),
and fenugreek seeds have an insulin stimulating substance (Hillaire-Buys et al., 1993), plus
a high protein content. This could be combined with the confirmed results during the last
years of anti-diabetic (Sharma et al., 1996) and anti-hypercholestrolaimic (Khosla et al.,
1995) effect of fenugreek seeds. This use is expected to seriously increase the consumption
of fenugreek seed and to create better prospects for this crop in the future.
Due to the increasing protein deficiency all over the world, considerable efforts are
being made to discover the nutritional potential of neglected sources. Thus, the aim now
and even more in the future, is to utilize every protein source wherever and however it will
have the highest nutritional value. Fenugreek protein is rich in lysine (345 mg g⫺1) and in
© 2002 Georgios A. Petropoulos
Introduction
7
comparison to the data for human requirements its quality, calculated from the amino-acid
pattern, approaches that of the soybean (Hidvegi et al., 1984). Therefore, it is an important
crop for those countries in the Middle and Far East where meatless diets are customary for
cultural and religious reasons.
The conclusion drawn is that the future of fenugreek is promising and its seed, as a source of
diosgenin, which is the base for the production of oral contraceptives and rich in protein and
fixed oils, could make a two-fold economic contribution to the world increase of population
problems by assisting in birth control and at the same time providing additional food. The obvious growth in human population, due mainly to the increase in average life expectancy in the
world because of the reduction in infant mortality, the progress in medicine and the improvement of food and residence conditions, results in pressures for human foods that will increase
continuously. Fenugreek will have an important role to play, as many countries, especially in
Asia and Africa, have fantastic opportunities to increase its production with no serious inroads
on their supplies of cereal grains, for which fenugreek is a very good soil renovator (Duke, 1986).
Therefore, population growth control can be achieved, further on a planet where the human population consumes the total production from every acre of tillable land additional food will be
obtained.
References
Allen, O.N. and Allen, E.K. (1981) The Leguminosae, Macmillan Co., London.
Anonymous (1994) Plants and Their Constituents, Phytochemical Dictionary of the Leguminosae, Vol. 1, Cherman
and Hall, London.
Anonymous (1996) Spices Statistics, Spices Board, Ministry of Commerce, Governement of India, P.B.
No. 2277, Cochin.
Banyai, L. (1973) Botanical and qualitative studies on ecotypes of fenugreek (Trigonella foenum-graecum L.).
Agrobotanica, 15, 175–87.
Chopra, R.N., Badhwar, R.L. and Ghosh, S. (1965) Poisonous Plants of India, Vol. 1, Indian Council of
Agricultural Research, New Delhi.
Cornish, M.A., Hardman, R. and Sadler, R.M. (1983) Hybridization for genetic improvement in the yield
of diosgenin from fenugreek seed. Planta Medica, 48, 149–52.
Duke, A.J. (1986) Handbook of Legumes of World Economic Importance, Plemus Press, New York and London.
Edison, S. (1995) Spices – research support to productivity. In N. Ravi (ed.), The Hindu Survey of Indian
Agriculture, Kasturi & Sons Ltd., National Press, Madras, pp. 101–5.
Elujoba, A.A. and Hardman, R. (1985) Incubation conditions for fenugreek whole seed. Planta Medica,
51(2), 113–15.
Elujoba, A.A. and Hardman, R. (1987) Saponin hydrolyzing enzymes from fenugreek seed. Fitoterapia,
58(3), 197–9.
Evans, W.C. (1989) Trease and Evans Pharmacognosy, 13th edn, Balliere Tindall, London.
Fazli, F.R.Y. and Hardman, R. (1968) The spice fenugreek (Trigonella foenum-graecum L.). Its commercial
varieties of seed as a source of diosgenin. Trop. Sci., 10, 66–78.
Furry, A. (1950) Les cahiers de la recherche agronomique. 3, 25–317.
Hardman, R. (1969) Pharmaceutical products from plant steroids. Trop. Sci., 11, 196–222.
Hardman, R. and Fazli, F.R.Y. (1972) Methods of screening the genus Trigonella for steroidal sapogenin.
Planta Medica, 21, 131–8.
Hardman, R. and Stevens, R.G. (1978) The influence of N.A.A. and 2,4 D on the steroidal fractions of
Trigonella foenum-graecum static cultures. Planta Medica, 34, 414–19.
Hidvegi, M., El-Kady, A., Lásztity, R., Bekes, F. and Simon-Sarkadi, L. (1984) Contribution to the
nutritional characterization of fenugreek (Trigonella foenum-graecum L.). Acta Alimentaria, 13(4), 315–24.
© 2002 Georgios A. Petropoulos
8
Georgios A. Petropoulos
Hillaire-Buys, D., Petit, P., Manteghetti, M., Baissac, Y., Sauvaire, Y. and Ribes, G. (1993) A recently
identified substance extracted from fenugreek seeds, stimulates insulin secretion in rat. Diabetologia, 36,
A 119.
Howard, M. (1987) Traditional Folk Remedies, A Comprehensive Herbal, Century Hutchinson Ltd., London.
Ivimey-Cook, R.B. (1968) Trigonella L. In T.G. Tutin, V.H. Heywood, N.A. Burges, D.M. Moore, D.H.
Valentine, S.M. Walters, and D.A. Webb (eds), Flora Europaea – Rosaceae to Umbelliferae, Cambridge
University Press, Cambridge 2, 150–2.
Jones, C.P. (1989) Extracts from Nature, Marks and Spencer P.L.C., Tigerprint, London.
Kamel, M.D. (1932) Reserve polysaccharide of the seeds of fenugreek. Its digestibility and its fat during
germination. Biochem. J., 26, 255–63.
Khosla, P., Gupta, D.D. and Nagpal, R.K. (1995) Effect of Trigonella foenum-graecum (fenugreek) on serum
lipids in normal and diabetic rats. Indian J. Pharmacol., 27, 89–93.
Kozlowski, J., Nowak, A. and Krajewska, A. (1982) Effects of fertilizer rates and ratios on the mucilage
value and diosgenin yield of fenugreek. Herba Polonica, 28(3–4), 159–70.
Leyel, C.F. (1987) Elixirs of Life, Faber & Faber, London.
Li, X., Farn, M.-J., Feng, L.-B., Shan, X.-Q. and Feng, Y.-H. (1980) Analysis of the galactomannan gums
in 24 seeds of Leguminosae. Chin. Wu, Hsueh Pao, 22(3), 302–4.
Lust, J.B. (1986) The Herb Book, Bantam Books Inc., New York.
Manniche, L. (1989) An Ancient Egyptian Herbal, British Museum Publ. Ltd., London.
Mehra, P., Yadar, R. and Kamal, R. (1996) Influence of nicotinic acid on production of trigonelline from
Trigonella polycerata tissue culture. Indian J. Experim. Biol., 34(11), 1147–9.
Melius, P. (1578) Herbarium, Heltai Gásparne Könyvnyomdája, Kolozsvár.
Miller, J.I. (1969) The Spice Trade of the Roman Empire 29 B.C. to A.D. 641, Clarendon Press, Oxford.
Mohamed, E.S.S. (1983) Herbicides in Fenugreek (Trigonella foenum-graecum L.) with Particular Reference to
Diosgenin and Protein Yields, PhD Thesis, Bath University, England.
Molfino, R.H. (1947) Argentine plants producing changes in the characteristics of milk and its derivatives.
Rev. Farm. (Buenos Aires), 89, 7–17.
Nandakumar, T. (1997) International spice marketing and the Uruguay Round Agreements. International
Trade Forum, 1, 18–27.
Paroda, R.S. and Karwasra, R.R. (1975) Prediction through genotype environment interactions in
fenugreek. Forage Res., 1(1), 31–9.
Petropoulos, G.A. (1973) Agronomic, genetic and chemical studies of Trigonella foenum-graecum L., PhD. Thesis,
Bath University, England.
Reid, J.S.G. and Meier, H. (1970) Chemotaxonomic aspects of the reserve galactomannan in leguminous
seeds. Z. Pflanzenphysiol., 62, 89–92.
Rosengarten, F. (1969) The Book of Spices, Livingston, Wynnewood, Penns., USA.
Rouk, H.F. and Mangesha, H. (1963) Fenugreek (Trigonella foenum-graecum L.). Its relationship, geography and
economic importance, Exper. Stat. Bull. No. 20, Imper. Ethiopian College of Agric. & Mech. Arts.
Schauenberg, P. and Paris, F. (1990) Guide to Medicinal Plants, Lutterworth Press, Cambridge, UK
Sharma, R.D., Sarkar, A., Hazra, D.K., Misra, I., Singh, J.B. and Maheshwari, B.B. (1996) Toxicological
evaluation fenugreek seeds: a long term feeding experiment in diabetic patients. Phytotherapy Research,
10(6), 519–20.
Sinskaya, E. (1961) Flora of cultivated plants of the U.S.S.R. XIII. Perennial leguminous plants, Part I. Medic,
Sweet clover, Fenugreek, Israel Programme for Scientific Translations, Jerusalem.
Smith, A. (1982) Selected Markets for Turmeric, Coriander, Cumin and Fenugreek seed and Curry Powder, Tropical
Product Institute, Publication No. G 165, London.
Stevens, R.G. and Hardman, R. (1974) Steroid studies with tissue cultures of Trigonella foenum-graecum L.
using G.L.C. Proc. 3rd Intern. Congress of Plant Tissue and Cell Culture, Leicester, 1974.
Stuart, M. (1986) The Encyclopaedia of Herbs and Herbalism, Orbis, London.
Talelis, D. (1967) Cultivation of Legumes, Agric. College of Athens, Athens (in greek).
Uphof, J.C.T. (1968) Dictionary of Economic Plants, Lehre Verlag von J. Cramer, New York.
© 2002 Georgios A. Petropoulos
2
Botany
Georgios A. Petropoulos and Panagiotis Kouloumbis
The genus Trigonella
Taxonomy
The genus Trigonella according to Hutchinson (1964) is one of the six genera (the other five
are: Parochetus, Melilotus, Factorovekya, Medicago and Trifolium) of the Subfamily or Tribe
Trifoliae of the Family Fabaceae (Papilionaceae) within the order Leguminosae (Leguminales).
Several investigators have attempted to employ the taxonomy of the genus Trigonella. Sirjaev
(1933) has given in Latin an elaborate and systematic account of its taxonomy. Vasil’chenko
(1953) has published a synopsis in Russian discussing the position of the genus within the
Family Leguminosae and gave keys, synonyms and descriptions of the morphological characters of
different series, their economic importance and geographical distribution. Hutchinson (1964),
Heywood (1967) and Sinskaya (1961) have also given detailed descriptions of its taxonomic
characters. According to these authors, the genus Trigonella contains mostly annual or perennial
plants that are often strongly scented, and are described in the following terms.
Leaves pinnately 3-foliate; stipules adulate to the petiole; leaflets usually toothed and nerves
often running out into teeth; flowers solitary or sessile or pedunculate in axillary heads or in
short racemes; calyx teeth equal or unequal; corolla yellow, blue or purplish, free from the
staminal tube or with wings united with prongs at the keel. Keel obtuse, shorter than the
wings; stamens diadelphous or monadelphous with filaments not broadened; anthers uniform;
stigma terminal; ovary sessile, ovules numerous. Pods varying greatly in size, cylindrical or compressed, linear or oblong, straight or curved, indehiscent or dehiscing with a pronounced short
or long mucro (beak). Seeds, 1-many, finely or fairly markedly tuberculate, smooth; cotyledodns
geniculate.
There is a big controversy about the number of species that comprise the genus
Trigonella. Two hundred and sixty (260) species (182 from Linnaeus to 1885 and 78 from 1886
to 1965) are listed under this genus, but a close scrutiny reveals about ninety-seven distinct
species (Fazli, 1967), while Vasil’chenko (1953) has described 128 species. Hector (1936),
Kavadas (1956), Rouk and Mangesha (1963) and Hutchinson (1964), have reported about
seventy.
The most interesting species of the genus Trigonella are presented in Table 2.1.
The reference to Index Kewensis (Hocker and Jackson, 1955) shows that much synonymity
has occurred within the species of the genus Trigonella, that is, as has been reported in the section
on Fenugreek, three different species have been described as T. foenum-graecum.
© 2002 Georgios A. Petropoulos
10
Georgios A. Petropoulos and Panagiotis Kouloumbis
Table 2.1 A list of the well known species of the genus Trigonellaa
T. anguina Del.
T. arabica Del.
T. arcuata C.A. Mey
T. aristata Vass.
T. auradiaca Boiss. (⫽ T. aurantiaca Boiss.)
T. balansae Boiss. and Reut. in Boiss.
(⫽T. corniculata L.)
T. berythaea Boiss. and Blanche
T. brachycarpa (Fisch) Moris
T. caelesyriaca Boiss.
T. caerulea (L.) Ser. (⫽T. coerulea L.)
T. calliceras Fisch ex Bieb.
T. cancellata Dest.
T. cariensis Boiss.
T. coerulescens (Bieb.) Halacsy Hal.
T. corniculata (L.) L. (⫽T. balansae
Boiss. & Reut.)
T. cretica (L.) Boiss.b
T. cylindracea Desv. (⫽T. culindracea Desv.)
T. emodi Benth.
T. erata
T. fischeriana Ser.
T. foenum-graecum L.
T. geminiflora Bunge
T. gladiata Stev. or Stev. ex Bieb.
T. graeca (Boiss. and Spruner) Boiss.
T. grandiflora Bunge
T. hamosa L.
T. hybrida Pourr.
T. incisa Benth.
T. kotschyi Fenzl. ex Boiss.
T. laciniata (L.) Desf.
T. lilacina Boiss.
T. marginata Hochst. & Steud.
T. maritima Poiret or Delile ex Poiret in Lam.
T. melilotus caeruleus (L.) Ascherson & Graebnerc
T. monantha C.A. Mey
T. monspeliaca L. (⫽T. monspeliana L.)d
T. noana Boiss.
T. occulta Ser. Del.
T. ornithopoides (L.) DC.e
T. orthoceras Kar. & Kir.
T. pamirica Gross. in Kom.
T. platycarpos L.
T. polycerata L.
T. popovii Kor.
T. procumbens (Besser) Reichenb.
T. radiata Boiss.
T. rechingeri Sirj.
T. rigida Boiss. & Bal.
T. ruthenica L.
T. schlumbergeri Buser (Boiss.)
T. sibthorpii Boiss.
T. smyrnaea Boiss.
T. spicata Sibth. an Sm. (⫽T. homosa Bess.)
T. spinosa L.
T. sprunerana Boiss. (⫽T. spruneriana Boiss.)
(⫽T. tortulosa Gris.)
T. stellata Forssk.
T. striata L.
T. suavissima Lindl.
T. tenuis Fisch ex Bieb.
T. tortulosa Gris. (⫽T. sprunerana or spruneriana Boiss.)
T. uncata Boiss. & Noe. (⫽T. glabra subs. uncata
(Boiss. & Noe.) Lassen)
Notes
a The botanical names have been completed according to the Index Kewensis (Hocker and Jackson, 1955).
b It has transformed to the genus Melilotus under the name M. creticus.
c It has fused with the species T. caerulea under the name T. caerulea.
d It has transformed to the genus Medicago under the name M. mospeliaca or monspeliana.
e It has transformed to the genus Trifolium under the name T. ornithopoides.
Further, in the Index Kewensis the following thirteen synonyms are given for the genus
Trigonella:
1
2
3
4
5
Aporathus
Botryolotus
Buceras1
Falcatula
Foenum-graecum
Broamf.
Jaub
Hall
Brot
(Tourn) Rupp.
(1856)
(1842)
(1785)
(1801)
(1745)
1 Probably from the Bo⬘ (o´ ⫽ ox and K⬘ ⫽ horn) one ancient Greek name that Theophrastus had given
for fenugreek.
© 2002 Georgios A. Petropoulos
Botany
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
Follicullicera
Grammocarpus
Kentia
Melisitus
Nephromedia
Pocockia
Tellis1
Trifoliastrum
Pasq.
Schur.
Adans
Medic
Kostel
Ser
Linn.Syst.ed.I
Moench
11
(1867)
(1853)
(1763)
(1787)
(1844)
(1825)
(1735)
(1794)
Some explanation for the assignment, reassignment and regroup of certain species between
the genus Trigonella, Medicago and Melilotus is required. Brenac and Sauvaire (1996) proposed
that pollinastanol and steroidal sapogenins should be used as chemotaxonomic markers to investigate the generic separation between the three genera. Their results support the unchanged
assignment of T. corniculata, T. caerulea and T. melilotus caeruleus. They confirm the regroup of the
last two species under the name T. caerulea and also the transform of T. monspeliaca to the genus
Medicago. However, their results do not completely support the unchanged assignment of
T. calliceras to the genus Trigonella, nor the reassignment of the T. cretica to Melilotus cretica, as the
composition of this species is close to that of T. foenum-graecum, for the compounds investigated.
The taxonomic transfer of T. ornithopoides (L.) DC. to the genus Trifolium appears justified in the
light of rhizobial kinships (Allen and Allen, 1981). Also, the ratio Gal./Man. of the reserve
galactomannan of the seed possesses a relative chemotaxonomical value as it varies among the
different plant genus of Leguminosae (Reid and Meier, 1970).
According to Darlington and Wylie (1945) the chromosome contents for the genus indicate
a basic haploid number of 8, 9, 11 and 14. Most of the species reported are diploid with 16 chromosomes. However T. homosa from Egypt is reported to have 16 and 44 chromosomes,
T. ornithoides from Europe 18, and T. polycerata from the Mediterranean and South West Asia 28,
30 and 32.
Tutin and Heywood (1964) divide the genus Trigonella into three subgenera, according to the
form and shape of the calyx and pod, as follows:
a
b
c
Subgenus Trigonella: Calyx usually campanulate. Pod not inflated, with representatives of
the species T. graeca, T. cretica, T. maritima, T. corniculata.
Subgenus Trifoliastrum: Calyx campanulate. Pod inflated with representatives of the species
T. caerulea and T. procumbes.
Subgenus Foenum-graecum: Calyx tubular. Pod not inflated with representatives of the
species T. foenum-graecum and T. coerulescens.
Ingham (1981) found that three groups of species occur in Trigonella, based on results of their
ability to release coumarin on tissue maceration. Two of these groups linking the genus
Medicago, Factorovekya and Melilotus and the third group with the genus Trifolium.
Furry (1950) also divided the cultivated species of the genus Trigonella, according to the
colour of the corolla and other characters, as follows:
a
b
c
Corolla blue: T. caerulea
Corolla whitish: T. foenum-graecum
Corolla yellow:
i Plant annual, calyx with teeth equal to the tube: T. polycerata
ii Plant annual, calyx with teeth longer than the tube: T. monspeliaca
iii Plant perennial: T. suavissima
© 2002 Georgios A. Petropoulos
12
Georgios A. Petropoulos and Panagiotis Kouloumbis
We do not agree completely with the corolla colour of the species T. foenum-graecum reported
above, as in our experiments this colour was yellow from the beginning and for most of the flowering period and only at the end, if at all, did the colour turn whitish.
Distribution
The Mediterranean region is known to be the natural habitat of the genus Trigonella. Species of
the genus exist wild in the countries of Europe, Macaronesia (Canarian Islands) North and South
Africa, Central Asia and Australia (Anonymous, 1994).
Indigenous species of this genus have been reported (Anonymous, 1994): six for Asia
(T. caelesyriaca, T. calliceras, T. emodi, T. geminiflora, T. glabra, T. kotschyi), five for Europe
(T. graeca, T. striata, T. polycerata, T. monspeliaca, T. procumbens), one for Africa (T. laciniata) and
one for Australia (T. suavissima), where it has adapted well to the wet swampy habitat (Allen and
Allen, 1981). The rest of the species exist in more than one continent, that is, twenty-three
species of this genus have been reported for Europe (Ivimey-Cook, 1968), of which fifteen occur
in the Balkan area (Polunin, 1988) including the fourteen for Greece (Kavadas, 1956), of which
four occur in the famous Island Kefallinia (Phitos and Damboldt, 1985).
However, the most interesting species of the genus is the widely cultivated T. foenum-graecum
(fenugreek), which is described in detail.
Fenugreek (T. foenum-graecum L.)
Taxonomy
According to Sinskaya (1961), Hutchinson (1964), Tutin and Heywood (1964) and our
observations the chief taxonomic characters of the species T. foenum-graecum are the
following.
Stems 20–130 cm long, straight, rarely ascending, branching, rarely simple, sparsely
pubescent, usually hollow, anthocyanin tinged at base or all the way up, rarely completely green.
First leaf simple, some times weak trifoliate, oval or orbicular with entire margin and a long
petiole. Stipules fairly large, covered with soft hair. Leaf petiole thickened at the top, attenuate
beyond point of attachment of lateral leaflets. Petiolules very small cartilaginous. Petioles and
petiolules vested on the underside with simple, soft sparse hairs. Leaflets from ovate-orbicular to
oblong-lanceolate, 1– 4 cm long, almost equal, finely haired, dentate, near the apex, dentation
more strongly developed in upper than in lower leaves. The petioles and the blades of the leaflets
are anthocyanin-tinged to a varying degree of green. Flowers in leaf axils, mostly twin, more
rarely solitary (we distinguished the cleistogamy and aneictogamy type of flowers). Calyx
6–8 mm, soft hairy with teeth as long as the tube, half as long as the corolla. Corolla 13–19 mm
long pale yellow (white at the end of flowering period), some times lilac coloured at the base.
Standard tend backwards oblong emarginate at apex with bluish spots (these spots are absent
from some genotypes), wings half as long as the standard; keel obtuse, split at base. Pods with
the mucro (beak), 10–18 cm long and 3.5 ⫻ 5 cm broad, curved, rarely straight, with transient
hairs. Before ripening the pod is green or reddish coloured; when ripe light straw or brown containing 10–20 seeds.
Seeds vary from rectangular to rounded in outline with a deep groove between the radicle
and cotyledons, the length is 3.5–6 mm and the width 2.5–4 mm, light greyish, brown, olive
green or cinnamon coloured, with a pronounced radicle that is half the length of the cotyledons.
© 2002 Georgios A. Petropoulos
Botany
13
The minute hilum lies partly obscured with a deep notch. Odour characteristic. Chromosome
number, 2n ⫽ 16.
Linnaeus (1737, 1753) have described the species T. foenum-graecum first. The botanical names
and synonyms assigned to fenugreek according to the Index Kewensis (Hocker and Jackson,
1955) are as follows:
1
2
3
4
5
6
Foenum-graecum
Foenum-graecum
Graeca
Hausknechtii
Tibetana
Rhodantha
Linn. sp. pl. 777 Eur. oriens
(Tourn) Rupp. FL, Jen. Ed. Hall 263 (1745)
St. Lag. in Ann. Soc. Bot. Lyon VII (1880)
(Siry) in obs. T. foenum-graecum var. Hausknechtii (1933)
(Alef) in obs. T. foenum-graecum officinale var. tibetanum
(Alef) in obs. T. foenum-graecum officinale var. rhodanthus
Mathé (1975) gives the following synonyms for the species T. foenum-graecum (L.):
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
Buceras foenum-graecum (L.) All.
Foenum-graecum sativum Medik.
Foenum-graecum officinale Moench.
Foenum-graecum officinale ssp. cultum Alef.
Folliculigera graveolens Pasq.
Medicago foenu-graeca Ehz Krause.
Telis foenum-graecum (L.) O.ktze.
Trigonella graeca St.Lag. non Boiss.
Trigonella ensifera Trautv.
Hocker and Jackson (1955) also report three different species of Trigonella as having been
described as T. foenum-graecum:
1
2
3
The species T. gladiata (Hall) Desc. 138
The species T. cariensis Sibth and Sm. Fl. Graec.VIII 48⫹ 766
The species T. monspeliaca Suter, Fl. Helv. ed. Hegetachw. II 149
Serpukhova (1934) on the basis of N.I. Vavilev’s collection of fenugreek in Yemen
and Abyssinia, divided the cultivated fenugreek by its whole plant characters into two
subspecies:
a
b
T. foenum-graecum L. ssp. iemensis (referring to the Yemen), which she established, with short
stems and flowers, entire marginate leaflets, lanceolate and short calyx teeth, erect standard
with dots, dried corolla at base of pod, short and lanceolate pod, small number of leaves and
short vegetation period.
T. foenum-graecum L. ssp. culta (Alefeld) Gams, which had been first noted by Fluckiger and
Hanbury (1879), characterized by taller plants, with dentate leaflets, long flowers, subulate
and long calyx teeth, reflexed and without dots standard, at end of break dried corolla, long
and linear pod, many leaves and long vegetation period.
Serpukhova (1934) also showed the polymorphic character of fenugreek and studied its
variability in detail.
© 2002 Georgios A. Petropoulos
14
Georgios A. Petropoulos and Panagiotis Kouloumbis
Sinskaya (1961) divided T. foenum-graecum into series, subseries and ecotypes based upon the
taxonomical characters of the plant and gave an account of the morphological characters and
habits of each subspecies and ecotypes.
Also, fenugreek plants have been distinguished in pallida and colorata type and described in
detail (Petropoulos, 1973).
Moschini (1958) divided the cultivated fenugreek in Italy into three ecotypes:
i Sicilian, characterized by high precocity and high yield
ii Toscanian, late in maturity, resistant to cold and high yielding
iii Moroccan, with high precocity, resistant to cold and low yielding
Serpukhova (1934) classified the seeds of T. foenum-graecum according to their shape, size and
colour and distinguished three groups (Indicae, Anatolicae and Aethiopicae), with one variety for
the groups Indicae (nano-fulva) and Anatolicae (magno-fulva) and six varieties for the group
Aethiopicae (fulva, punctato-fulva, olivacea, punctato-olivacea, leucosperma and griseocoerulescens), while Fazli and Hardman (1968) give one version of her classification. Sinskaya
(1961) later confirmed Serpukhova’s classification, although he preferred to use the term ‘forms’
rather than ‘varieties’.
Furry (1950) also divides fenugreek seeds into six types (Yemenese, Transcaucasian, African,
Afghan, Chinese-Persian and Indian) and gives details only for the African type, in which
he distinguishes two varieties (North African and Sudanese-Egyptian of Kharthoum).
The seeds of a rich collection of fenugreek samples (more than 300) of Bath University, originated from the countries of its cultivation, by a careful examination of their general appearance
and other characteristics and in association with the country of origin, can be classified into the
following four types (Petropoulos, 1973):
1
2
3
4
Fluorescent type: Seeds fluorescent under UV light, absence of any pigment in its seed coat,
large (5–6 ⫻ 3–4 mm) rounded in outline, with high, one thousand seed weight (27–32 g)
and Germ./Husk. index, probably induced by spontaneous mutation from Ethiopian populations, as most of its characters are controlled by recessive genes, not described previously.
It is easily identified. Representatives of this type are the breeding cultivar Fluorescent and
the variety ‘Barbara’.
Ethiopian type: Non fluorescent under UV light, moderate in size (4.0–4.5 ⫻ 3.0–3.5 mm)
with at least four different pigments in its seed coat and a thousand seed weight 22–25 g. It
is a natural mixture of Serpukhova’s olivacea and punctato-olivacea. In this type belong
most of the samples from Ethiopia and its neighbouring fenugreek producing countries. It
is a uniform type and very easily distinguished. Representatives of this type are the seeds of
the Ethiopian breeding cultivar.
Indian type: Non fluorescent under UV light, with at least four pigments in its seed coat,
very small seeds (2.5–3.5 ⫻ 2.0–2.5 mm), rectangular in outline, nano-fulva according to
Serpukhova’s classification, a thousand seed weight 15–20 g. In this type belong most of the
samples from India, Pakistan, China and Kenya, the latter being bigger than the rest. This
is also a uniform type and very easily distinguished. Representatives of this type are the
seeds of the Kenyan breeding cultivar.
Mediterranean type: Non fluorescent under UV light. Large seeds (4.5–6.0 ⫻ 3.5–5.0 mm),
rectangular in outline, a thousand seed weight 25–31 g, a natural mixture of magno-fulva,
fulva and punctato-fulva according to Serpukhova’s classification. In this type belong samples from Israel where magno-fulva was dominant, from Morocco, Portugal, Spain and
© 2002 Georgios A. Petropoulos
Botany
15
France where the punctato-fulva was dominant and from Greece and Turkey where the fulva
was dominant. It is the least uniform and is not easily identified. Representative of this type
are seeds of the Moroccan breeding cultivar.
Distribution and vernacular names
The species T. foenum-graecum, wild or cultivated, is widely distributed throughout the world, as
is indicated by the great number of names it possesses with Arabic, Indian (Sanskrit) and
European (Greek and Latin) roots. Fenugreek has been reported as a cultivated crop in Portugal,
Spain, United Kingdom, Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Greece, Turkey, Egypt, Sudan,
Ethiopia, Kenya, Tanzania, Israel, Lebanon, Morocco, Tunisia, India, Pakistan, China, Japan,
Russia, Argentine and USA (Rouk and Mangesha, 1963; Fazli and Hardman, 1968;
Rosengarten, 1969; Smith, 1982; Edison, 1995).
The genetic name, Trigonella, comes from Latin meaning ‘little triangle’, in reference to the
triangular shape of the small yellowish-white flowers. The species epithet foenum-graecum means
‘Greek hay’ and according to Rosengarten (1969) the Romans, who got the plant from Greece
where it was a very common crop in ancient times, gave it this name. It is also called ‘ox horn’ or
‘goat horn’ because of the two seed pods projecting in opposite directions usually from the nodes
of the stem base that resemble ox or goat horns.
The main national names for this species are listed in Table 2.2.
Table 2.2 Natural or local names of fenugreek, in different countries
Speaking language of country
National or local names of fenugreek
Arabic
Armenian
Azerbaijani
Chinese
Croatic
Czech
Dutch
English
Ethiopian
French
German
Hhelbah, Hhelbeh, Hulba, Hulabah
Shambala
Khil’be, Boil
K’u-Tou
Piskayika, ditelina rogata
Piskayika, recke seno
Fenegriek
Fenugreek, fenigrec
Abish
Fenugrec, Senegre
Griechisch Heu, Griechisches Heu,
Bockshornklee, Kuhhornklee, Bisamklee
Trigoniskos (T␥⬘o), Tsimeni (T⬘),
Tintelis (T⬘), Moschositaro (Moo⬘␣o),
tili (⬘), tipilina (⬘␣)
o´␣ o ␣␣ó, ⬘
Görögszéna
Methi
Fieno greco
Koroba
Methi
Schemlit
Fengrek, Kozieradka
Alforva
Pazhitnik, Pazsitnyik, Grezsezki szeno
(gr‡c∂skey s‡no)
Seneyka grecka, seno grecka
Bockhornsklover
Khul’ba, Ul’ba, Boidana
Greek (modern)
Greek (ancient)
Hungarian
Indian
Italian
Japanese
Pakistani
Persian (Irani)
Polish
Portuguese
Russian
Slovak
Swedish
Uzbekistani
© 2002 Georgios A. Petropoulos
16
Georgios A. Petropoulos and Panagiotis Kouloumbis
References
Allen, O.N. and Allen, E.K. (1981) The Leguminosae, Macmillan Co., London.
Anonymous (1994) Plants and Their Constituents, Phytochemical Dictionary of the Leguminosae, Vol. 1, Cherman
& Hall, London.
Brenac, P. and Sauvaire, Y. (1996) Chemotaxonomic value of sterols and steroidal sapogenins in the genus
Trigonella. Biochem. Systemat. Ecol., 24(2), 157–64.
Darlington, C.D. and Wylie, A.P. (1945) Chromosome Atlas of Flowering Plants, George Allen & Unwin Ltd.,
London.
Edison, S. (1995) Spices – research support to productivity. N. Ravi (ed.), The Hindu Survey of Indian
Agriculture, Kasturi & Sons Ltd., National Press, Madras, pp. 101–5.
Fazli, F.R.Y. (1967) Studies in steroid-yielding plants of the genus Trigonella, PhD Thesis, University of
Nottingham, England.
Fazli, F.R.Y. and Hardman, R. (1968) The spice fenugreek (Trigonella foenum-graecum L). Its commercial
varieties of seed as a source of diosgenin. Trop.Sci., 10, 66–78.
Fluckiger, F.A. and Hanbury, D. (1879) Pharmacographia, Macmillan & Co., London.
Furry, A. (1950) Les cahiers de la recherche agronomique, 3, 25–317.
Hector, J.N. (1936) Introduction to the Botany of Field Crops (Non cereals), Central News Agency Ltd.,
Johannesburg.
Heywood, V.H. (1967) Plant Taxonomy – Studies in Biology No. 5, Edward Arnold Ltd.
Hocker, J.B. and Jackson, D. (1955) Index Kewensis, Tomus II, 1116–1117 (1895) Suppl. XII, 146
(1951–1955), Clarendon Press, Oxford.
Hutchinson, J. (1964) The Genera of Flowering Plants, Vol. 1, Clarendon Press, Oxford.
Ingham, J.L. (1981) Phytoalexin induction and its chemosystematic significance in the genus Trigonella.
Biochem. Systemat. Ecol., 9(4), 275–81.
Ivimey-Cook, R.B. (1968) Trigonella L. In T.G. Tutin, V.H. Heywood, N.A. Burges, D.M. Moore,
D.H. Valentine, S.M. Walters and D.A. Webb (eds), Flora Europaea – Rosaceae to Umbelliferae, Vol. 2,
Cambridge University Press, Cambridge, pp. 150–2.
Kavadas, D.S. (1956) Illustrated Botanical – Phytological Dictionary, Vol. XIII, pp. 3929–33 (in greek).
Linnaeus, C. (1737) General Edition, I, 351, Stockholm.
Linnaeus, C. (1753) Species Plantarum, Silvius, Stockholm, p. 1200.
Máthé, I. (1975) A görögszéna (Trigonella foenum-graecum L.), Magyarország III/2, Kultúrflóra 39, Akadémiai
Kiadó, Budapest.
Moschini, E. (1958) Charatteristiche biologiche e colturali di Trigonella foenum-graecum L. e di Vicia sativa L.
di diversa provenienza. Esperienze e Ricerche, pp. 10–11, Pisa.
Petropoulos, G.A. (1973) Agronomic, genetic and chemical studies of Trigonella foenum-graecum L., PhD. Thesis,
Bath University, England.
Phitos, D. and Damboldt, J. (1985) Die Flora der Insel Kefallinia (Griechenland). Botanika Chronika,
5(1–2), 1–204.
Polunin, O. (1988) Flowers of Greece and the Balkans, A Field Guide, 1.Repr., Oxford University Press,
Oxford, New York.
Reid, J.S.G. and Meier, H. (1970) Chemotaxonomic aspects of the reserve galactomannan in leguminous
seeds. Z. Pflanzenphysiol., 62, 89–92.
Rosengarten, F. (1969) The Book of Spices, Livingston, Wynnewood, Penns., USA.
Rouk, H.F. and Mangesha, H. (1963) Fenugreek (Trigonella foenum-graecum L.). Its relationship,
geography and economic importance, Exper. Stat. Bull. No. 20, Imper. Ethiopian College of Agric. &
Mech. Arts.
Serpukhova, V.I. (1934) Trudy, Prikl. Bot. Genet. i selekcii Sen., 7(1), 69–106 (Russian).
Sinskaya, E. (1961) Flora of Cultivated Plants of the U.S.S.R. XIII, Perennial Leguminous plants, Part I, Medic,
Sweet Clover, Fenugreek, Israel Programme for Scientific Translations, Jerusalem.
Sirjaev, G. (1933) Generis Trigonella L. rivisio critica, Publ. Fac. Sci. Univ. Masaryk Brno, pp. 124–269.
© 2002 Georgios A. Petropoulos
Botany
17
Smith, A. (1982) Selected markets for turmeric, coriander, cumin and fenugreek seed and curry powder, Tropical
Product Institute, Publication No. G165, London.
Tutin, T.G. and Heywood, V.H. (1964) Flora Europaea, Vol. I and II, Cambridge University Press,
Cambridge.
Vasil’chenko, I.T. (1953) Bericht uber die Arten der Gattung. Trigonella Trudy Bot. Inst. Akad. Nauk.
S.S.S.R. 1, 10.
© 2002 Georgios A. Petropoulos
3
Physiology
Caroline G. Spyropoulos
Seed physiology
Seed structure and composition
Although there are as many as seventy-two Trigonella species, most studies on seed structure and
physiology have been performed on the Trigonella foenum-graecum L. (fenugreek).
Fenugreek seeds are surrounded by the seed coat. The seed coat is separated from the embryo by
a well developed endosperm, which is the principal storage organ. In mature seeds the majority of
the endosperm cells are nonliving, the cytoplasmic contents of which are occluded by the store
reserves: galactomannan. This tissue is surrounded by a one cell layer of living tissue: the aleurone
layer. The aleurone layer cells are small and thick walled and contain aleurone grains, which disappear during the course of seed germination (Reid and Meier, 1972; Bewley and Black, 1994).
The role of endosperm galactomannan is dual: it serves as a reserve material that will support
the seedling growth during the early post-germination phase, but also, due to its high water
retention capacity regulates the water balance of the embryo during germination (Reid and
Bewley, 1979).
The embryo, as in all dicotyledons, is composed of a cotyledon pair and the embryo
axis. Apart from the endosperm reserves, there are also reserves in the embryo (proteins, lipids,
sugars) that will be metabolised upon seed germination and will be used for the growth needs of
the young seedling (Bewley et al., 1993).
The fenugreek seed coat apart from its protective character seems also to play a regulatory role
in the mobilisation of the endospermic food reserves (Spyropoulos and Reid, 1985; 1988;
Zambou et al., 1993; Kontos et al., 1996).
Seed development
Seed development starts upon fertilisation of the egg cell in the embryo sac, by one of the male
pollen tube nuclei, and the fusion of the two polar nuclei in the embryo sac with the other pollen
tube nucleus. The result is the formation of the embryo and the endosperm, respectively. The
fenugreek seed development lasts approximately 120 days after anthesis (DAA) (Campbell and
Reid, 1982). Galactomannan accumulation in the endosperm starts approximately 30 DAA and
ends at approximately 55 DAA, just before the seed’s fresh weight starts decreasing (Campbell
and Reid, 1982).
Galactomannan synthesis during seed development: morphology
Galactomannan is deposited as cell wall thickenings of the endosperm cells and its deposition
continues until nearly all the cytoplasm disappears. The only endosperm cells that are not filled
© 2002 Georgios A. Petropoulos
Physiology
19
with galactomannan are the cells of the aleurone layer. In these cells some galactomannan is
deposited only at the outer walls next to the seed coat, at the cell corners, and occasionally at the
side walls (Meier and Reid, 1977).
Galactomannan is deposited first in those cells that are neighbouring the embryo, while in
those next to the aleurone layer, is deposited at the end (Meier and Reid, 1977).
An electron microscopy examination of fenugreek endosperms during the course of galactomannan deposition suggests that galactomannan synthesis takes place in the rough endoplasmic
reticulum, it is accumulated in the netlike enchylema space and released outside the plasmalemma without the participation of the Golgi apparatus (Meier and Reid, 1977).
Galactomannan synthesis during seed development: biosynthesis
The biochemistry of galactomannan synthesis and mobilisation has attracted much interest,
not only due to its biological importance, but also due to galactomannan extensive application
in industry, notably, food, pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, paper products, paints, plasters, etc.
(Dea and Morrison, 1975; Reid, 1985; Scherbukhin and Anulov, 1999). The ratio of mannose to
galactose varies in the different plant genus but the most appropriate for industry applications
is 4 : 1. Among the eight Trigonella species studied, all have mannose : galactose ratio approximately 1: 1; only T. erata has a ratio of 1.6 : 1 (Reid and Meier, 1970). Galactomannan biosynthesis has been studied using cell free extracts and whole endosperm tissue (Edwards et al., 1989;
1992).
The synthesis of galactomannan in vivo started about thirty DAA and its deposition increased
until fifty-five DAA. There was a parallel increase in the activities of the mannosyl- and galactosyltransferases. The galactomannan present at any time of seed development had a mannose to
galactose ratio of 1:1, the same with that of mature seeds (Edwards et al., 1992).
The enzymes responsible for fenugreek galactomannan biosynthesis were two membrane bound
glycosyltransferases, a GDP-mannose-dependent mannosyltransferase and a UDP-galactosedependent galactosyltransferase. The mannosyltransferase catalyses the addition of mannose
residues onto an unknown endogenous primer, which could be galactomannan. The addition of
galactose residues by the action of the galactosyltransferase takes place only on newly transferred
mannose residues on the mannan backbone. The regulation of the mannose to galactose ratio of
the galactomannan by fenugreek is regulated by the enzyme galactosyltranferase (Reid
et al., 1992; 1995). Recently, Edwards et al. (1999) isolated a 51 kDa protein, with galactosyltransferase activity and isolated and cloned the corresponding cDNA. This cDNA encodes
a protein, with a single transmembrane -helix near the N terminus, which proved to be
galactosyltransferase.
The mechanisms that underlie fenugreek galactomannan biosynthesis could lead to the
production of transformed fenugreek plants with the required ratio of mannose to galactose
(i.e. 4 : 1), which is suitable for industrial applications.
Seed germination and endosperm reserve mobilisation
Fenugreek seeds germinated approximately 10 h after the start of seed imbibition at 25⬚C in the
dark (Reid and Bewley, 1979; Spyropoulos and Reid, 1985). Endosperm galactomannan mobilisation started after about 15 h of imbibition (Reid, 1971; Spyropoulos and Reid, 1985) through
the action of -galactosidase (EC 3.2.1.22), endo--mannanase (EC 3.2.1.78), and exo-mannanase (EC 3.2.1.25) (Reid et al., 1977; Meier and Reid, 1982; Reid, 1985). The first two
enzymes seem to be synthesised de novo while the third one is present in an active state in the
endosperm of the dry seed. A very low -galactosidase activity was detected in the dry seed,
© 2002 Georgios A. Petropoulos
20
Caroline G. Spyropoulos
40
80
8
32
6
24
40
4
16
20
2
8
0
0
60
nkat seed–1
10
mg 6 seeds–1
100
10
20
30
40
units seed–1
which was suggested to be involved in the hydrolysis of the raffinose series oligosaccharides
(Reid and Meier, 1972), while endo--mannanase activity was absent (Reid et al., 1977;
Spyropoulos and Reid, 1988). During the course of seed imbibition the activity of -galactosidase increased. Endo--mannanase activity appeared after 20 h of imbibition and increased
thereafter. The increase of the activities of both hydrolases coincides with the decrease in galactomannan content in the endosperm (Figure 3.1).
The ultimate products of galactomannan hydrolysis, D-galactose and D-mannose, do not accumulate in the endosperm. Both monosaccharides are transported immediately to the embryo by
carriers that have high specificity for the corresponding sugars. These carriers seem to play an
important role in the switching on and off the uptake capacity of these sugars by fenugreek
embryo (Zambou and Spyropoulos, 1989; 1990). The inhibition of galactose uptake by cycloheximide may suggest that the galactose carrier is synthesised de novo during imbibition.
Although galactose and mannose uptake by the embryo is under metabolic control, their uptake
does not take place via a H⫹ co-transport system. It has been speculated that the metabolic
energy needed for their uptake is used for the phosphorylation of these sugars, thus ensuring
their transformation in cotyledons and consequently the generation of a concentration gradient
between the endosperm and cotyledons.
The disappearance of galactomannan from the embryo is concomitant with the appearance of
transitory starch and high levels of sucrose in the embryo (Reid, 1971; Bewley et al., 1993),
which are formed by the galactomannan hydrolysis products taken up by the embryo. Although
0
50
Time (h)
Figure 3.1 -Galactosidase (■) and endo--mannanase (●) activities in the endosperms of fenugreek
seeds and the dry weight of six extracted endosperms ⫹ testa (◆) at several imbibition
times. The dashed line indicates the dry weight of testa, which does not change (Reid
and Bewley, 1979). Decreases in dry weight are due to galactomannan mobilisation
(Spyropoulos and Reid, 1988).
© 2002 Georgios A. Petropoulos
Physiology
21
the initiation of starch formation in fenugreek cotyledons is independent of a supply of the
galactomannan hydrolysates in the embryo, their presence is necessary for its accumulation
(Bewley et al., 1993).
There are several factors that regulate galactomannan mobilisation. The prerequisites for its
mobilisation are:
1
2
3
The production of the enzymes that hydrolyse galactomannan, that is, -galactosidase and
endo--mannanase.
The secretion of these enzymes through the plasmalemma of the aleurone cells and their
diffusion though the aleurone cell wall to reach their site of action.
The appropriate conditions for the action of these enzymes in situ.
Galactomannan mobilisation and the production of -galactosidase and endo--mannanase
may take place in isolated endosperms if they are incubated in a large volume under germination
conditions (Reid and Meier, 1972; Spyropoulos and Reid, 1985; Malek and Bewley, 1991). In
contrast, incubation of endosperms in a small volume resulted in the inhibition of -galactosidase
(Table 3.1) (Spyropoulos and Reid, 1985) and endo--mannanase production (Malek and
Bewley, 1991; Kontos et al., 1996). The effect of the small volume incubation medium was
relieved if incubation was preceded by a 2-h-endosperm leaching, suggesting that in the
endosperm and/or seed coat there are leachable inhibitory substances the diffusion of which is
prevented when the volume of the incubation medium is small. Zambou et al. (1993) have isolated three substances from the leachate of fenugreek endosperm and seed coat, which inhibited
the production of -galactosidase by fenugreek endosperm and, chromatographically, behaved
like saponins. These substances, however, did not have any effect on the production of these
hydrolases if endosperms were treated after the start of the galactomannan mobilisation.
Removal of the embryo axis inhibited galactomannan mobilisation and the activity of
-galactosidase, suggesting that the embryo axis controlled galactomannan mobilisation. The
effect of embryo axis excision on galactomannan hydrolysis and the activity of -galactosidase
was relieved upon addition of the excised axes into the ‘seed’ incubation medium or incubation
of these ‘seeds’ with benzyladenine (BA) or BA plus GA3 (Table 3.1). Initially, the axis appeared
to have a regulatory function in determining the onset of -galactosidase production in the
endosperm. However, its continuous presence was necessary for the uptake of the galactomannan
hydrolysis products, the accumulation of which inhibited galactomannan breakdown
(Spyropoulos and Reid, 1985; 1988).
Table 3.1 -Galactosidase activity and galactomannan levels in endosperms of fenugreek
seeds after 48 h of imbibition, following the excision of the axis after 5 h
Incubated seed part
Incubation medium
(volume ml)
-Galactosidase
nkat seed ⫺1
Galactomannana
mg 6 seeds ⫺1
Seed – axis
Seed – axis
Seed – axis
Seed – axis
Water (0.5 ml)
Water ⫹excised axes (0.5 ml)
10⫺5 M BA (0.5 ml)
10⫺4 M GA3 (0.5 ml)
0.35 ⫾0.10
2.30 ⫾0.13
1.86 ⫾0.37
2.02 ⫾0.15
10.6 ⫾1.8
7.7 ⫾0.7
3.8 ⫾0.5
6.3 ⫾0.4
Note
a Dry weight of six extracted endosperms ⫹ testae, less 9.0 mg, the average weight of the testae
(Reid and Bewley, 1979).
© 2002 Georgios A. Petropoulos
22
Caroline G. Spyropoulos
Table 3.2 -Galactosidase and endo--mannanase activity of
leached or non-leached endosperms that were isolated from
5-h-imbibed seeds and incubated in water, in
the endosperm ⫹ testa leachate or in PEG, for 20 h
(Spyropoulos and Reid, 1988; Kontos et al., 1996)
Treatment
Non-leached → water
Leached 2 h → water
Leached 2 h → leachate
Non-leached → PEGa
Leached 2 h → PEGa
-Galactosidase
nkat seed ⫺1
Endo--mannanase
units endosperm⫺1
0.9
0.15
0.2
0.7
8
14
0.3
2.9
7.6
Note
a PEG 3350, ⫺1.5 MPa.
Water stress inhibited galactomannan mobilisation. When water stress was imposed on
isolated endosperms before the onset of galactomannan breakdown there was a total inhibition of
the production of -galactosidase and endo--mannanase and consequently galactomannan
hydrolysis did not take place (Table 3.2) (Spyropoulos and Reid, 1988; Zambou et al., 1993;
Kontos et al., 1996). However, if water stress treatment on fenugreek endosperms was preceded
by a 2-h-leaching, the effect of water stress on the production of the two hydrolases was repaired
(Table 3.2) (Spyropoulos and Reid, 1988). These results suggested that under water stress
conditions the removal of the endosperm and seed coat inhibitory substances was prevented.
When water stress was imposed after the start of galactomannan breakdown (on 25-himbibed seeds), although the production of both hydrolases was not affected, galactomannan
breakdown was still inhibited (Spyropoulos and Reid, 1988). The inhibition of galactomannan
breakdown could be attributed to either the inhibition of the galactomannan hydrolases secretion and/or their diffusion through the aleurone cell wall or to the inhibition of -galactosidase
action in situ.
Carob (Ceratonia siliqua) endosperm is a galactomannan reserving tissue (Seiler, 1979;
Spyropoulos and Lambiris, 1980). Water stress imposed on carob endosperm protoplasts did not
affect the production of -galactosidase or endo--mannanase nor their secretion. However,
experiments performed with whole carob endosperms have shown that under water stress conditions, the diffusion of these hydrolases into the endosperm incubation medium was inhibited.
These results suggest that the carob endosperm cell wall controls galactomannan hydrolysis by
the regulation of the diffusion of galactomannan hydrolases to reach the site of their action
(Kontos and Spyropoulos, 1995). Likewise, it could be postulated that water stress affects the
cell wall porosity of the fenugreek aleurone layer resulting in the decreased diffusion of the
galactomannan hydrolysing enzymes.
Under water stress conditions, the amount of galactose taken up by the embryo was reduced
because under these conditions the galactose carrier did not function (Zambou and Spyropoulos,
1990). Therefore, most galactose produced through the action of -galactosidase would remain
in the endosperm. Galactose is a potent inhibitor of -galactosidase and its presence inhibits its
action in situ (Dey and Pridham, 1972). Therefore, although -galactosidase was active, when
water stress was imposed after the start of galactomannan hydrolysis, the presence of galactose in
the endosperm would inhibit its action.
© 2002 Georgios A. Petropoulos
Physiology
23
Mobilisation of embryo reserves
The mobilisation of the endosperm and embryo reserves follows a time-dependent pattern that
correlates the metabolic events with one another and with the completion of germination (Leung
et al., 1981). Galactomannan mobilisation started upon radicle protrusion, after about 25 h from
seed imbibition. Before the start of galactomannan hydrolysis there is a slight decline in the
embryo free sugars (Reid, 1971). Before germination there is no starch in the fenugreek embryo,
but during galactomannan mobilisation there is a large increase of transient starch in both
cotyledons and axes (Reid, 1971; Bewley et al., 1993). At later times during seed development
the embryo starch is remobilised through the action of -amylase, which has been identified as
a single band on IEF of pI 5.1 (Bewley et al., 1993).
The endosperm galactomannan mobilisation was followed by the mobilisation of embryo
reserves, proteins, lipids and phytate (Leung et al., 1981). Galactomannan hydrolysis was followed by the deposition of starch in the embryo. The hydrolysis of cotyledon proteins started
after about 30 h from imbibition. At the same time amino acids accumulated in the embryo axis,
while in cotyledons the accumulation of amino acids took place later, suggesting an initial rapid
uptake of the amino acids by the axis. The phytate started declining in cotyledons 50 h from
imbibition and at the same time there was a slight decline in the axis apparently through the
action of phytase, the activity of which started increasing after 40 h of imbibition. This metabolic event was followed by lipid hydrolysis. Lipid content, the majority of which is located
in cotyledons, is approximately 8 per cent of the seed’s dry weight. Concomitant with lipid
hydrolysis was the increased activity of the isocitrate lyase.
Recently, the activities of -galactosidase and endo--mannanase (Giammakis and Spyropoulos,
unpublished data) have been detected in the fenugreek embryo. The activity of -galactosidase
was very low and did not change much during the course of the embryo growth. In contrast,
endo--mannanase activity increased with imbibition time in both cotyledons and axes.
Tissue cultures
Fenugreek tissue and cell cultures have been used for either plant regeneration or for the
production of secondary products of economic interest. Among these products are diosgenin and
trigonelline: a saponin and an alkaloid with therapeutic properties, which are constituents of
fenugreek seeds (Cerdon et al., 1996; Merkli et al., 1997; Oncina et al., 2000).
The development of fenugreek calli has been achieved after shoot or root culture from 4-dayold seedlings upon culturing on Gamborg’s B-5 modified medium supplemented with hormones. From these calli have been produced cell suspension cultures, the content of which in
trigonelline was appreciably higher than that of the calli (Radwan and Kokate, 1980). Also, for
diosgenin production hair root cultures (Merkli et al., 1997) and cultures from calli, which were
developed from leaves, stems and roots isolated from 30-day-old seedlings, have been established
with Agrobacterium rhizogenes strain A4 (Oncina et al., 2000).
Apart from the production of trigonelline, tissue cultures have been used for T. corniculata
L. (Piring) and T. foenum-graecum L. (Methi) regeneration. In this case, calli were produced using
leaves as explants. The explants were grown on Murashige and Skoog medium supplemented
with casein hydrolysate or coconut milk. The first resulted in an increased number of differentiated organs per callus (Sen and Gupta, 1979).
Regeneration of shoots have also been achieved from fenugreek protoplasts (Xu et al., 1982).
Protoplasts were isolated from the root apices of 48-h-imbibed seeds. The first divisions of root
fenugreek protoplasts were observed after a 3–4 day culture and subsequent divisions gave cell
colonies. However, a culture of these colonies gave only roots.
© 2002 Georgios A. Petropoulos
24
Caroline G. Spyropoulos
References
Bewley, J.D., Leung, D.W.M., MacIsaak, S., Reid, J.S.G. and Xu, N. (1993) Transient starch accumulation
in the cotyledons of fenugreek seeds during galactomannan mobilization from the endosperm. Plant
Physiol. Biochem., 31, 483–90.
Campbell, J. McA. and Reid, J.S.G. (1982) Galactomannan formation and guanosine 5⬘-diphosphatemannose: galactomannan mannosyltransferase in developing seeds of fenugreek (Trigonella foenumgraecum L., Leguminosae). Planta, 155, 105–11.
Cerdon, C., Rahier, A., Taton, M. and Sauvaire, Y. (1996) Effect of tridemorph and fenpropimorth on sterol
composition in fenugreek. Phytochemistry, 41, 423–31.
Dey, P.M. and Pridham, J.B. (1972). Biochemistry of -galactosidases. Adv. Enzymol., 36, 91–130.
Edwards, M., Dea, I.C.M., Bulpin, P.V. and Reid, J.S.G. (1989) Biosynthesis of legume-seed galactomannans in vitro. Cooperative interactions of -guanosine 5⬘-diphosphate mannose-linked (1→ 4)--Dmannosyltransferase and a uridine 5⬘-diphosphate-galactose-linked -D-galactopyranosyltransferase in
particulate enzyme preparations from developing endosperms of fenugreek (Trigonella foenum-graecum L.)
and guar (Cyamopsis tetragonoloba [L.] Taub.). Planta, 178, 41–51.
Edwards, M., Scott, C., Gidley, M.J. and Reid, J.S.G. (1992) Control of mannose/galactose ratio during
galactomannan formation in developing legume seeds. Planta, 187, 67–74.
Kontos, F. and Spyropoulos, C.G. (1995) Production and secretion of -galactosidase and endo--mannanase by carob (Ceratonia siliqua L.) endosperm protoplasts. J. Exp. Bot., 46, 577–83.
Kontos, F., Spyropoulos, C.G., Griffen, A. and Bewley, J.D. (1996) Factors affecting endo--mannanase
activity in the endosperms of fenugreek and carob seeds. Seed Sci. Res., 6, 23–9.
Leung, D.W.M., Bewley, J.D. and Reid, J.S.G. (1981) Mobilization of the major stored reserves in the
embryo of fenugreek (Trigonella foenum-graecum L., Leguminosae), and correlated enzyme activities.
Planta, 153, 95–100.
Malek, L. and Bewley, J.D. (1991) Endo--mannanase activity and reserve mobilization in excised
endosperms of fenugreek is affected by volume of incubation and abscisic acid. Seed Sci. Res., 1, 45–9.
Meier, H. and Reid, J.S.G. (1982) Reserve polysaccharides other than starch in higher plants. In
F.A. Loewus and W. Tanner (eds), Encyclopedia of Plant Physiology (new Series) 13A, Springer-Verlag,
pp. 418–71.
Meier, H. and Reid, J.S.G. (1977) Morphological aspects of galactomannan formation in the endosperm of
Trigonella foenum-graecum L. (Leguminosae). Planta, 133, 243–8.
Merkli, A., Christen, P. and Kapetanidis, I. (1997) Production of diosgenin by hairy root cultures of
Trigonella foenum-graecum L. Plant Cell Rep., 16, 632–6.
Oncina, C., Botía, J.A., Del Río, A. and Ortuño, A. (2000) Bioproduction of diosgenin in callus cultures of
Trigonella foenum-graecum L. Food Chem., 70, 489–92.
Radwan, S.S. and Kokate, C.K. (1980) Production of higher levels of trigonelline by cell cultures of
Trigonella foenum-graecum than by the differentiated plant. Planta, 147, 340–4.
Reid, J.S. (1971) Reserve carbohydrate metabolism in germinating seeds of Trigonella foenum-graecum
L. (Leguminosae). Planta, 106, 131–42.
Reid, J.S.G. and Bewley, J.D. (1979) A dual role for the endosperm and its galactomannan reserves in the
germinative physiology of fenugreek (Trigonella foenum-graecum L.), an endospermic leguminous seed.
Planta, 147, 145–50.
Reid, J.S.G., Davies, C. and Meier, H. (1977) Endo--mannanase, the leguminous aleurone layer and the
storage galactomannan in germinating seeds of fenugreek Trigonella foenum-graecum L. Planta, 133,
219–22.
Reid, J.S.G., Edswards, M.E., Gidley, M.J. and Clark, A.H. (1992) Mechanism and regulation of
galactomannan biosynthesis in developing leguminous seeds. Biochem. Soc. T., 20, 23–6.
Reid, J.S.G., Edswards, M.E., Gidley, M.J. and Clark, A.H. (1995) Enzyme specificity in galactomannan
biosynthesis. Planta, 185, 489–95.
Reid, J.S.G. and Meier, H. (1970). Chemotaxonomic aspects of the reserve galactomannan in leguminous
seeds. Z. Pflanzenphysiol., 62, 89–92.
© 2002 Georgios A. Petropoulos
Physiology
25
Reid, J.S.G. and Meier, H. (1972) The function of the aleurone layer during galactomannan mobilisation
in germinating seeds of fenugreek (Trigonella foenum-graecum L.), crimpson clover (Trifolium incarnatum L.)
and lucerne (Medicago sativa L.). A correlative biochemical and ultrastructural study. Planta, 106, 44–60.
Reid, J.S.G. and Meier, H. (1973) Enzymic activities and and galactomannan mobilisation in germinating
seeds of fenugreek (Trigonella foenum-graecum L.). Planta, 112, 301–8.
Scherbukhin, V. D. and Anulov, O.V. (1999) Legume seed galactomannans. Applied Biochem. Microbiol., 35,
257–74.
Spyropoulos, C.G. and Reid, J.S.G. (1985) Regulation of -galactosidase activity and the hydrolysis of
galactomannan in the endosperm of fenugreek (Trigonella foenum-graecum L.) seed. Planta, 166, 271–5.
Spyropoulos, C.G. and Reid, J.S.G. (1988) Water stress and galactomannan breakdown in germinated
fenugreek seeds. Stress affects the production and the activities in vivo of galactomannan hydrolysing
enzymes. Planta, 174, 473–8.
Zambou, K. and Spyropoulos, C.G. (1989) D-Mannose uptake by fenugreek cotyledons. Planta, 179,
473–8.
Zambou, K. and Spyropoulos, C.G. (1990) D-galactose uptake by fenugreek cotyledons. Effect of water
stress. Plant Physiol., 93, 1417–21.
Zambou, K. and Spyropoulos, C.G. (1993) Saponin-like substances inhibit -galactosidase production in
the endosperm of fenugreek seeds. A possible regulatory role in endosperm galactomannan degradation.
Planta, 189, 207–12.
© 2002 Georgios A. Petropoulos
4
Cultivation
Georgios A. Petropoulos
Climate and soil
Climate
Although fenugreek is a native of the Mediterranean region of Europe, it extends to central
Asia and North Africa as well. It is also grown very satisfactorily in central Europe, UK and
USA. This wide distribution of its cultivation in the world is characteristic of its adaptation to
variable climatic conditions and growing environments. Fenugreek is suitable for areas with
moderate or low rainfall. A temperate and cool growing season without extreme temperatures is
favourable for the best development of fenugreek. It can tolerate 10–15⬚C of frost (Duke, 1986).
Fenugreek is fairly drought resistant (Talelis, 1967) and fairly frost sensitive (Talelis, 1967;
Bunting, 1972). According to Del’ Gaudio (1952), fenugreek adapts well during summer
droughts and the wet and raining winter, while it does not like severe winter and raining summer, but it is resistant to winter cold, especially when it is covered with snow. Talelis (1967)
reports that in Greece fenugreek is generally grown as a winter crop in areas with mild winter
and as a spring crop in areas with soil that keeps moisture in the summer. Duke (1986) reports
that fenugreek in areas with mild winters is best sown in fall to mature in spring. Also, Rouk
and Mangesha (1963) notice that in Ethiopia fenugreek is grown primarily in regions where the
climatic conditions approach those of the Mediterranean area. The climate of these regions is
mostly subtropical and is characterised by a wet followed by a dry season. Also, they report that
the annual rainfall in the areas where fenugreek is grown is in the range 10–60 in. further Allen
and Allen (1981) have noticed a range of 20–60 in., while the area of widest distribution seems
to fall within the 20–40 in. in the rainfall belt. Perkins (1962) reports that in India fenugreek is
normally grown as a winter annual in areas described as tropical savannah and humid subtropical,
with the following temperature conditions:
●
●
hot summer and cool winters
hot summer and mild winters.
Sinskaya (1961) reports that in Transcaucasia fenugreek reaches mountain altitudes of up to
1,300–1,400 m and in Ethiopia 3,000 m, but its main zone of distribution in that country is
between 2,150 and 2,400 m. Duke (1986) reports that fenugreek, ranging from cool temperate
steppe to wet through tropical very dry forest life zone, is reported to tolerate an annual
precipitation of 3.8–15.3 dm and an annual mean temperature of 7.8–27.5⬚C. We cultivated
fenugreek successfully in England in an area with an annual rainfall of around 700 mm
and an average temperature for the growing season from 7–16⬚C (minimum 1.5 and
© 2002 Georgios A. Petropoulos
Cultivation
27
maximum 24⬚C and an altitude of 80–175 m) (Petropoulos, 1973). There are indications of the
possible benefit of colder nights on the sapogenin content of the seed (Fazli and Hardman,
1968).
The conclusion is that fenugreek evolved in areas that have a pronounced temperate climate
with mild winters and cool summers. However in the growing areas, warm and dry conditions
are desirable for field ripening of the pod.
Soil
Fenugreek does not require specific soil conditions, however one of the most important characters of a good fenugreek soil is its capacity to supply sufficient moisture throughout the growing
season.
Rosengarten (1969) states that fenugreek is grown best in well-drained loams, Piper (1947)
states the same adding that it is not very exact. Duke (1986) reports also that fenugreek grows
fairly well on gravely or sandy soils and it is not adaptable to heavy clay or soil that becomes hard
and it is fairly tolerant to salt. Bunting (1972) reports that heavy and wet soils are unsuitable for
cultivation of fenugreek and mentions as an optimum pH 8–8.5. According to the appropriate
Polish Institute (Anonymous, 1987) suitable soils for a successful cultivation of fenugreek are
those where alfalfa grows well, as well as rendzinas, loss, alouvian, sunny and protected from
winds, while unsuitable are gold, heavy, wet, very light and dry soils. Orvedahl (1962) notices
that the areas of Ethiopia, India and Turkey, where fenugreek is cultivated, are characterised by
soil types that are closely related to the great soil groups of the Mediterranean area, which he
describes as following:
●
●
Mountain soils of Brown Forest, Terra Rosa, and Rendzina soil regions with Lithosols,
including Podzolised and Alpine Meadow soils at high elevations.
Reddish Prairie, Reddish Chestnut and Reddish Brown.
The conclusion is that for successful fenugreek cultivation well drained loams and generally
slightly alkaline soils are ideal, lime application in some strongly acid conditions may be
necessary.
Sowing
It is well known that the final result of any legume crop, like fenugreek, will be satisfactory if
the supply of a reliable seed is insured and better sowing practices are followed. The failure of an
individual viable seed to produce a plant may be due to seed hardness, poor seedbed preparation,
sowing too deep, inadequate moisture mainly after germination, freezing, competition for light
and nutrients with other fenugreek seedlings or weeds etc. So, insuring of reliable seeds, seedbed
preparation, sowing techniques and postsowing management should be patterned to minimise
losses from these causes.
Soil preparation
Deep plowing and thorough harrowing are essential for a successful soil preparation before
a fenugreek sowing (Duke, 1986; Anonymous, 1987). An ideal seedbed is moist and fairly firm. It
should be sufficiently fine and granular not powdery, for good seed coverage when compacted.
© 2002 Georgios A. Petropoulos
28
Georgios A. Petropoulos
Plowing and disking are the usual practices for a good preparation. Plowing may not be
necessary and can be omitted when fenugreek follows most cereal crops, because a satisfactory
seedbed can be prepared rapidly and at low cost, by only disking and harrowing. Also
compaction prior to sowing is not necessary, except if the soil moisture is limited.
Seeds
In the growing of a fenugreek crop the use of reliable seeds is very important, both to ensure
quality and identity. The quality of the seeds depends on various characteristics, especially
genuineness, purity and viability. Heeger (1989) suggests that for fenugreek seed to be suitable
for sowing, it should possess at least 95 per cent seed purity and 80 per cent germination
ability. Other points of more or lesser importance are size, colour, one thousand seed weight,
source of the seeds etc. Especially for fenugreek the percentage of ‘hard’ seeds is also to be
considered seriously, since late emerging seedlings are likely to perish due to competition or
winter injury.
For these reasons, fenugreek seeds should be purchased under guarantee, although there is
a limited supply of certified fenugreek seed of named varieties. Fenugreek seed should be
inoculated with the proper Rhizobium bacterium (see section on ‘Nodulation’).
Methods of sowing
Two methods of sowing, namely broadcasting on the surface of the soil and drilling are applied
in the case of fenugreek sowing. In the first method, the seed is sown over the surface of the prepared soil either by seed tubes that are set to broadcast the seed from a height of about 2 ft above
the soil, or by a broadcast seeder where the front roller compacts the seed bed and the rear roller
covers the seed and it compacts the soil. Traditionally the seed that is broadcast sown is trampled
into the ground. The second method is the drill with seeder attachment modified by extending
the seed tubes to within 5–10 cm of the soil surface, this is a significant advance in sowing and
is recommended especially under adverse conditions.
The soil is watered immediately after sowing in both methods, if rain is not expected.
Spacing and seed rate
Uniformly distributed fenugreek plants are necessary for maximum yield.
Row planting of fenugreek has more advantages than the solid one, such as more erect plants,
lighter seed rates, better penetration of chemicals, lower humidity on the plant canopy etc. Plant
density within the row also influences the yield and is controlled by the seed rate.
Optimum spacing on the row and within the rows depend mainly upon soil texture, depth of
sowing, fertility, available moisture, temperature and variety. High densities favour monostalk
plants, while lower densities favour multistalk plants (see Figure 4.1). Rosengarten (1969) and
Duke (1986) recommend that fenugreek plants be spaced in rows 45 cm apart having 8 cm
within rows and a seed rate of 22.5 kg/ha for broadcast, while Talelis (1967) and Bunting (1972)
suggest the sowing of fenugreek in rows 30–50 cm apart with a seed rate 40–67 kg/ha. Piper
(1947) recommends a seed rate of 17–22 kg/ha for seed production and 35 kg/ha for green
manure, while the appropriate Polish Institute (Anonymous, 1987) suggests rows 30–40 cm
apart with a seed rate of 15–20 kg/ha. Mohamed (1990) found that the number of branches, average plant weight and pod number increased whereas plant height was unaffected by increase in
row width from 10 to 30 cm, while the highest seed yield (1,650 kg/ha) was achieved with a row
© 2002 Georgios A. Petropoulos
Cultivation
29
Figure 4.1 Multistock and monostock plants of fenugreek, due to the corresponding low and high
plant density (1 ⫽ monostock, 2 ⫽ multistock).
width of 20 cm. Dachler and Pelzman (1989) suggest sowing of fenugreek in rows 25 cm apart
with a seed rate of 25 kg/ha.
The above contradiction regarding the spacing and the seed rate of fenugreek and the fact that
some growers have generally advanced the opinion that close spacing results to higher profit from
the increased plant population, led to a trapezoidal spacing experiment being carried out
(Petropoulos, 1973), as was described by Bleasdale and Nelder (1960). It was found that for fenugreek an optimum spacing of 0.0631 m2/plant was needed. So, the optimum plant density that
must be applied to obtain the maximum yield of fenugreek seed is 158,480 plants/ha. Estimating
that 1 kg seeds of fenugreek contains approximately 35,000–53,000 seeds for different varieties
and conditions of cultivation with 50 per cent losses for different reasons (hard seeds, reduced seed
germination capacity, unreleased cotyledons etc.), the maximum seed rate of a broadcast seeding is
10–14 kg/ha. When drill seeded, lesser quantities of seed could give satisfactory results.
Time of sowing
As fenugreek is fairly drought resistant (Talelis, 1967) and fairly frost resistant (Talelis, 1967;
Rosengarten, 1969), it is generally grown as a winter crop in areas with mild winter and as
© 2002 Georgios A. Petropoulos
30
Georgios A. Petropoulos
a spring crop in areas with soil that keeps moisture in the summer (Talelis, 1967). In India it is
grown as a traditional winter crop (Pareek and Gupta, 1981) similarly in Egypt (Rizk, 1966).
Under certain conditions early fall sowings are satisfactory, however spring sowings are recommended for all areas with prolonged periods below freezing, as in Germany where sowing takes
place in April (Dachler and Pelzmann, 1989; Heeger, 1989). But the risk of poor germination
increases and yield decreases as planting time prolongs into spring. Rathore and Manohar (1989)
found that in India early sowing in the fall (15 October) gave a higher yield than late sowing
(14 November).
An experiment was carried out in England (Petropoulos, 1973) to test the effect of three different dates of planting with monthly intervals starting from March in four cultivars in a spring
crop of fenugreek. The conclusions drawn from this experiment are:
i
There is a linear response between earliness of sowing and earliness of flowering and consequently of maturity, as it is presented in Figure 4.2.
ii There was insufficient time for the majority of the late sowing plants to attain full maturity,
especially those of the late cultivars.
iii Fenugreek by England conditions (Bath area) can be sown from mid-March to mid-April
when soil conditions allow and risks of severe frost recede.
Earliness in sowing (days)
60
30
0
20
10
30
Earliness in flowering (days)
40
Figure 4.2 Relationship between earliness of sowing and earliness of flowering and consequently of
maturity (based on sowing in mid-May).
© 2002 Georgios A. Petropoulos
Cultivation
31
Nodulation
The extraordinary property of legumes to fix atmospheric nitrogen (N) by symbiosis with
Rhizobium was known to botanists and agronomists of the last century (Hallsworth, 1958).
Fenugreek is grown mostly in subtropical areas and attempts to extend its culture to new soils
as a temperate crop often failed. There is a good possibility that many of those failures were
directly attributable to the lack of effective nodule bacteria. So, when fenugreek is introduced
into a new area, artificial inoculation is commonly applied the first year or two of planting
(Anonymous, 1961).
It is well known that there are many kinds of nodule bacteria, homologous and heterologous,
as the various leguminous have their preferences (Fred et al., 1932; Pattison, 1972) and
Rhizobium meliloti is homologous with Trigonella foenum-graecum that is able to form an effective
symbiotic association with fenugreek (Subba-Rao and Sharma, 1968). This Rhizobium nodulates
also alfalfa, sweet clover, burclover, button-clover, burrel medic and other species of Medicago,
Trigonella and Melilotus, but no other species of Leguminosae (Burton, 1975).
Rhizobium meliloti is one of the six designated species of nodule bacteria in the family
Rhizobiaceae. It is a typically fast growing Rhizobium, aerobic, nonspore forming gram-negative,
motile robs with peritrichous flagellation. These Rhizobia are grown best when cultured on
extracts of yeast, malt or other plant materials that provide readily available N and growth
factors. Strains of R. meliloti are the most sensitive to acidity and grown very poorly at a pH of
5.0 or below. Its nodules are at first spherical but later branch into a two-lobed or a fan-shaped
structure within 4–5 days of their initiation (Burton, 1975).
1 cm
Figure 4.3 A typical nodule of Rhizobium meliloti 2012 on fenugreek.
© 2002 Georgios A. Petropoulos
32
Georgios A. Petropoulos
cm
Figure 4.4 Small and scattered ineffective nodules over secondary roots of fenugreek.
The nodule is the focal point of reaction between Rhizobia and the fenugreek plant. There are
effective and ineffective nodules. The first are usually large, elongated, often clustered on the
primary roots (see Figure 4.3), while the second ones are usually small and are mainly scattered
over the secondary roots (see Figure 4.4). Both effective and ineffective nodules frequently occur
simultaneously on the plant root system. Burton (1975) claimed that a leguminous plant’s susceptibility to nodulation is related to its pollination characteristics and postulated that crosspollinating species carry genetic characters that make them promiscuous with diverse Rhizobia,
whereas in self-pollinating species, like fenugreek, the characters permitting nodulation are
limited or carried as recessives.
As fenugreek is cultivated in different environments, it is very likely that certain strains of
Rhizobia are better adapted than others in these various conditions. So, it is necessary to find the
proper strains of Rhizobia by selection or genetic manipulation for all these special conditions.
Hardman and Petropoulos (1975) found that the strain R. meliloti 2012 obtained from the
Rothamsted collection and originating from Sidney University, nodulates fenugreek satisfactorily (Pattison, 1972).
Rhizobia are applied either to fenugreek seeds or to soil. The first method is preferable as it is
easy and convenient to implant the Rhizobia into the soil where the roots of the young seedlings
© 2002 Georgios A. Petropoulos
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33
will grow. The seeds should be covered uniformly with vigorous inoculum of Rhizobia. The
viable rhizobial content of inoculants decreases rapidly with time, unless refrigerated. Effective
nodulation under any particular set of conditions depends greatly upon the type of inoculum
employed and the method of inoculating the fenugreek seeds. There are in commerce three types
of R. meliloti inocula available to growers: the moist powder peat-base that is the most popular,
the liquid or broth culture and an oil-dried rhizobial preparation absorbed in pulverised vermiculite (Burton, 1975).
There are three most used methods for inoculation for fenugreek and other leguminous seeds.
The sprinkle, where the seeds are sprinkled with a small amount of water and the dry inoculant
powder is mixed thoroughly with the moistened seed. The slurry, where the inoculum is suspended in sufficient water to cover the seed uniformly. The waterless, where the powdered inoculant is added directly to the seed in the drill hopper without using any water. Awasthi and
Narayana (1984) found that sprays of sucrose plus boric acid enhanced inoculation and N fixation of fenugreek. Hardman and Petropoulos (1975) used a pure culture of the Rhizobium in
skimmed milk for inoculation of the moistured seeds, which were dried away from light and
heat and sown immediately. On a global basis little arguments exist that inoculation is needed
in the majority of agricultural soils, as the difference between inoculated and uninoculated
plants is often markedly apparent. Campbell and Reid (1982) found in Egypt that the amount of
atmospheric N fixed by fenugreek was 42.4 kg/acre, which was more than double in comparison
6
Degree of nodulation (scale 0–10)
5
4
3
(b)
2
1
0
(a)
Control
Rhizobium
Figure 4.5 Degree of nodulation of fenugreek plants with Rhizobium meliloti 2012 in (a) virgin and
(b) non virgin soil.
© 2002 Georgios A. Petropoulos
34
Georgios A. Petropoulos
20.00
Seed yield (g/plant)
16.00
12.00
8.00
Control
Rhizobium
Figure 4.6 Effect of nodulation with Rhizobium meliloti 2012 on seed yield of fenugreek plants.
with that of soybean. The cost of inoculating fenugreek seed is low depending on the method
used, the farm application costs around $1/ha.
Hardman and Petropoulos (1975) tested inoculated and uninoculated seeds of the four cultivars in virgin and non virgin soil and the conclusion drawn from this experiment was that the
inoculated fenugreek plants were taller and well nodulated, especially in the case of non virgin
soil (Figure 4.5), with a higher seed yield (Figure 4.6), but delayed in maturing. The seed of
inoculated plants had a higher crude protein content and in agreement with this a higher
germ/husk index and a lower mucilage content than seed from the uninoculated controls and
there was no indication of any interaction between the tested cultivars and R. meliloti.
The final conclusion is that the inoculation of the fenugreek seed, before sowing, help the
insurance of N fixation, especially when fenugreek has not been grown in the area previously.
However the effectiveness of nodulation is generally improved with additional Rhizobia.
Depth of sowing
Soil moisture, soil type and time of planting influence the optimum depth of fenugreek sowing
for total emergence. Planting too deep was frequently the cause of sowing failures in fenugreek
cultivation. The appropriate Polish Institute (Anonymous, 1987) suggests a sowing depth of
© 2002 Georgios A. Petropoulos
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35
1.0–1.5 cm, while Dachler and Pelzmann (1989) report a depth of maximum 2 cm. Deeper seed
plantings are recommended for coarse textured soils, subject to drought or in arid areas. Shallow
depths are best when moisture conditions are favourable as in spring and greater depths are recommended when moisture conditions are less favourable. For shallow sowing depths and low
moisture conditions compaction may be necessary with a corrugated roller. Also, in shallow
depths there was a higher proportion of unreleased cotyledons from the husk, where the majority
of these seedlings usually die.
Seed germination and the first growth
According to our observations the curve protrusion of the radicle for more than 5 mm is
considered as sign of fenugreek seed germination, because only if the radicle has developed to
such a length can the cotyledons may be counted upon to follow. Zade et al. (1990) suggest
a new germination testing procedure. In order that fenugreek seeds may germinate perfectly, it
is necessary that they are well developed and have vigorous germs and an abundant supply of
stored food.
Three conditions are necessary for germination: (i) sufficient moisture, (ii) sufficient oxygen
and (iii) sufficient heat. An interrelationship exists among them. The presence of available water
is absolutely necessary for fenugreek seed germination. The minimum amount of this water for
four cultivars of fenugreek is presented in Table 4.1.
In the soil fenugreek seeds follow the epigeal way of germination. So, after the absorption
of water and swelling of the starch-free and high thickened cells of endosperm, the radicle is
the first part of the embryo to elongate and emerge from the husk and enters the soil, becoming
the primary root and developing secondary roots. The cotyledons are pulled above the soil
by the elongation of the hypocotyl, which makes a crock (curve), while the epicotyl is characteristically absent in the first stage of growth of fenugreek seedlings. The husk usually releases
the cotyledons into the soil, but sometimes the cotyledons are not detached and the husk
emerges covering the cotyledons. In this case, if it is not raining, irrigation may be necessary, as,
according to our observations, the average of unreleased cotyledons reach approximately
20 per cent and the majority of these seedings usually die (Petropoulos, 1973). The cotyledons
in fenugreek plants serve as foliage leaves and in certain cases remain for the whole life of
the plant.
The time of germination in soil usually varies from 3–10 days. Dachler and Pelzmann (1989)
report that fenugreek seeds germinate 10 days after sowing, while the appropriate Polish
Table 4.1 Determination of the water requirements for seed germination among four breeding cultivars of fenugreek
No.
1
2
3
4
Cultivar
Fluorescent
Ethiopian
Moroccan
Kenyan
© 2002 Georgios A. Petropoulos
One hundred
seed weight (g)
2.9
2.6
2.7
1.7
Absorbed water before
germination starts
Percentage of
seed weight
Per 100
seeds (g)
148
155
160
176
4.3
4.0
4.3
3.0
Georgios A. Petropoulos
36
Table 4.2 Determination of the hardness of fenugreek seeds due to the drying conditions
Seed sample
(seeds in pod
immediately after
harvesting)
Characteristics
Drying conditions
Room temperature
for 20 days (control)
Final
moisture
content
RH 3142
RH 3143
Kenyan
10.1
cultivar,
origin pods
of plants
produced
from hard
seeds of
RH 2926
Kenyan
10.2
cultivar,
origin pods
of plants
produced from
soft seeds of
RH 2926
35⬚C for 48 h
50⬚C for 24 h
Hard
Final
seeds (%) moisture
content
Hard
seeds (%)
Final
moisture
content
Hard
seeds (%)
8
7.5
34
5.3
72
6
7.5
32
5.3
68
100
90
Germination (%)
80
70
60
50
40
30
RH 2602 (Fluorescent)
RH 2699 (Ethiopian)
RH 2698 (Kenyan)
RH 2701 (Moroccan)
20
10
24
30
36
48
72
Time (h)
96
120
144
168
Figure 4.7 Prolonged period of seed germination of Moroccan and especially of Kenyan cultivar of
fenugreek, due to their higher percentage of hard seeds.
© 2002 Georgios A. Petropoulos
Percentage of germination in 48 h
Cultivation
100
37
RH 2698 (Kenyan)
RH 2701 (Moroccan)
80
60
40
20
20
40
60
80
Time of scarification by concentrated sulphuric acid (min)
100
Figure 4.8 Relationship between scarification time by concentrated sulphuric acid and percentage of
fenugreek seed germination, with optimum time in 35–40 min.
Institute (Anonymous, 1987) reports 10–14 days, although this also depends mainly on the
soil conditions (temperature, available moisture etc.), the osmotic concentration of the media
surrounding the seeds, the depth of sowing (earlier in shallow sowing), the quality of the seed
(germination energy) and the variety of fenugreek (seed coat, micropyle etc.). But there is a percentage of named ‘hard’ fenugreek seeds that are naturally slow to germination, because they are
unable to absorb water rapidly. In fact they start an irregular prolonged germination period of
even more than six months. This phenomenon is characteristic of the variety, but it also depends
upon external factors like the artificial drying of the pods, where we noticed that the faster the
rate of drying the greater the proportion of hard seeds (see Table 4.2).
Among the four tested cultivars named Fluorescent, Ethiopian, Kenyan and Moroccan, the
Moroccan cultivar and mainly the Kenyan one possess the highest percentage of hard seeds, as is
presented in Figure 4.7, by a prolonged germination period. To ensure an increase and acceleration of the hard fenugreek seed germination we found that a scarification with concentrated sulphuric acid for 35–40 min gives the best results, as is presented in Figure 4.8. It was found that
if the proportion of hard seeds exceeds 40 per cent, the fenugreek seed should be scarified before
planting (Petropoulos, 1973). Six to ten days after the fenugreek germination the seedlings
produce the first leaf, which is usually simple, there is still no noticeable epicotyl as the first
trifoliate leaf is formed after a further 5–8 days (see Figure 4.9).
Plant growth
After the seed germination and the first growth of the seedling, follows the main plant growth,
which includes the development of stems, flowers, pods and seeds. The fenugreek has an
© 2002 Georgios A. Petropoulos
Swelling 1
7
First trifoliate
leaf
development
Radicle 2
production
6
First simple
leaf
development
4 (a)
Released
cotyledons
Primary 3
root
development
5
Cotyledons
development
4 (b)
Unreleased
cotyledons
Figure 4.9 The first growth habit of a fenugreek seedling.
© 2002 Georgios A. Petropoulos
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39
indeterminate growth habit, which means the growth continues from the terminal and axially
buds, while the flowering and formation of pods are both in progress.
Stems
The stems of fenugreek are erect, hollow, with dark anthocyanin or complete green. The stems
according to variety, soil fertility and plant density are either monostalk without secondary
shoots, or multistalk where many shoots arise from the basal and higher nodes. In some cases the
main shoot does not differ markedly from the secondary shoots. This last plant shape is
resistant to lodging and produces an increased number of pods/plant.
Flowers
The flowering of fenugreek, according to variety, climate and season of sowing starts approximately 35–40 days from the sowing. The flowers of fenugreek are seated in the leaf axils mostly
paired (twin), more rarely solitary. There are two kinds of flower shoots. The common ones
with axillary flowers only that follow the indeterminate growth habit, where the shoot apex
Figure 4.10 ‘Blind’ shoot of fenugreek with axillary and terminal flower.
© 2002 Georgios A. Petropoulos
40
Georgios A. Petropoulos
continues to differentiate both vegetative and floral organs and the ‘blind’ shoots with axillary
and terminal flower bud, which become tip bearers (see Figure 4.10). Each flower consists of a
calyx, a corolla, ten stamens and a pistil. The calyx tube consists of five undivided sepals, ending
with five teeth about as long as the tube. The corolla is highly evolved and consists of five petals:
a large standard (banner), two lateral wing petals and two fused petals that form the keel (see
Figure 4.11). A sectional view of the fenugreek flower showing the relative position of the
stamens and pistil appears in Figure 4.12.
There are also two kinds of fenugreek flowers:
1
2
Cleistogamous (closed) flowers. In this category belong the majority of fenugreek flowers (see
Figure 4.13) in which the keel remains closed during the entire life of the flower, while the
standard and wings open some hours per day. These flowers, described in Chapter 5, are
usually self-pollinated.
Aneictogamous (open) flowers. These are flowers in which all the parts of the corolla remain
open almost continuously. These flowers usually present some abnormalities, that is, the
corolla fused on the calyx or two pistils etc., they are less than one per cent of the total
number of fenugreek flowers and are usually born on the ‘blind’ shoots (see Figure 4.14) and
offer many opportunities for cross-pollination.
Standard (banner)
Wing
Wing
Keel
Stamens
Stamenal
tube
Calyx
Figure 4.11 The different parts of the corolla of a fenugreek flower.
© 2002 Georgios A. Petropoulos
Nine stamen anthers
Free stamen anthers
Pistil
Stamen tube
Longitudinal section
Figure 4.12 The relative position of the stamens and pistil of a fenugreek flower.
Figure 4.13 A ‘cleistogamous’ (closed) flower of fenugreek, that favours self-pollination.
© 2002 Georgios A. Petropoulos
42
Georgios A. Petropoulos
Figure 4.14 An ‘aneictogamous’ (open) flower of fenugreek, that favours cross-pollination.
In the cleistogamous flowers of fenugreek there are four distinguished stages of development:
1
2
First stage (flower bud). This stage starts from the appearance of the flower bud until the
petals reach the length of the calyx teeth. During this stage the anthers are closed and
arranged in two circles (upper and lower), while both are lower than the stigma of the
pistil. Each circle is composed of the anthers of five alternate stamens. The stigma in this
stage is on the begging to be receptive, so it is suitable for emasculation in order to avoid
completely selfing or undesirable crossing in the case of artificial pollination, especially for
critical breeding studies. The duration of this stage is 3–4 days.
Second stage (main development). All the flower parts of fenugreek show a vigorous development during this stage. The corolla increases in length but remains straight and its colour
is yellow. Some openings of the standard and the wings are noticed at the end of this stage
for some hours daily, and this time is the main opportunity for cross-pollination for this
type of flower. The stamens elongate quickly and form the staminal tube, their anthers
reach and exceed the stigma, while they start to rupture and lightly dust the stigma with
pollen. The pistil is also developed but slowly in comparison with the stamens and its
stigma finally remains in a lower position than the anthers. This is the main stage of
development and its duration is 2–3 days.
© 2002 Georgios A. Petropoulos
Cultivation
3
4
43
Third stage (pollination). The corolla nearly takes its final curved shape and size and daily
openings of the standard and wings are noticed, but the corolla’s colour still remains yellow.
The rupture of the anthers is continued and completed and they dust the stigma with their
pollen. The stigma is completely receptive. This is chiefly the pollination stage and its
duration is 2–3 days.
Fourth stage (fertilisation). The corolla takes its final size and its colour may turn to white.
The opening of the standard and wings for some hours daily is also noticed. The anthers
have completely ruptured and there is a mass of pollen on the stigma. The process of
fertilisation starts. So, this is chiefly the fertilisation stage and its duration is 4–5 days.
A diagram of these four stages appears in Figure 4.15.
Fourth stage
(fertilisation)
Third stage
(pollination)
Second stage
(main development)
First stage (bud)
Figure 4.15 Diagram of the four stages of development in a fenugreek flower.
© 2002 Georgios A. Petropoulos
Georgios A. Petropoulos
44
Pods
The pod of the fenugreek is long and pointed and has a length (excluding beak) of 60–110 mm
(Ivimey-Cook, 1968) or 75–150 mm (Duke, 1986) and a width of 4–6 mm, erect or patent, linear, somewhat curved, glabrous or glabrescent with longitudinal veins. The beak persistent has
a length 10–30 mm (Ivimey-Cook, 1968) or 2–3 mm (Duke, 1986).
Fenugreek plants may be divided into two classes for the number of pods per node near the
top of the stem, namely ‘solidary pods’ when there is only one pod per node and ‘twin pods’
when two pods project in opposite direction from the same node of the stem (see Figure 4.16). It
must be emphasised that the position of growth of these twin pods should be near the top of the
stem, as on the base of the stem almost all the nodes of most varieties of the fenugreek plant
possess double pods. The twin pods as it is described in Chapter 5 is a very good index of selection for higher diosgenin seed content.
For the purpose of this edition, pods up to 5.5 mm in width will be termed ‘wide’ and pods
less than 5.5 mm will be termed ‘narrow’.
The stages of pod development are described in the section of ‘Harvesting’.
Seeds
Fenugreek seeds according to Wallis (1960) and Fazli and Hardman (1968) are about 2.5–6 mm
long, 2–4 mm wide and 2 mm thick. They are hard, yellowish-brown, irregularly rhomboidal,
round or square in outline (Fazli and Hardman, 1968), flattened and some of them fluorescent
under UV light (Petropoulos, 1973).
Figure 4.16 Twin pods on the top of the fenugreek mutant plant RH 3112.
© 2002 Georgios A. Petropoulos
Cultivation
45
Cuticle
Epidermis
Testa
Hypodermis
Husk
Aleurone layer
Mucilage cells
Endosperm
Epidermis
of cotyledons
Parechyma
of cotyledons
Embryo
Germ
Radicle
Figure 4.17 The different parts of a fenugreek seed.
Nearly in the centre of one of the long narrow sides, there is a small depression in which both
hilum and micropyle are situated. This depression is continued in the form of a furrow running
diagonally across parts of each of the adjoining sides, thus dividing the radicle-pocked from the
remainder of the seed, in which are placed face to face the two large cotyledons, the radicle being
accumbent. The embryo is yellowish and the cotyledons are surrounded by scanty, horny, dark
translucent endosperm. The endosperm swells up in water to a thick gelatinous sac (Fazli and
Hardman, 1968).
According to descriptions of Parry (1943), Fazli and Hardman (1968) and Reid and Bewley
(1979), the different parts of the fenugreek seed are presented in Figure 4.17.
For the purposes of this edition the following terms have been accepted for fenugreek seeds:
1
2
‘Large’ when the one thousand seed weight is more than 20 g, and ‘small’ when this weight
is less than 20 g.
‘Rectangular’ when the outline shape of seeds is approaching rectangular, and ‘round’ when
the outline shape is approaching that of type B presented by Fazli and Hardman (1968)
(see also Figure 4.18).
© 2002 Georgios A. Petropoulos
46
Georgios A. Petropoulos
RH 2820
RH 2821
RH 2822
RH 2823
cm
Figure 4.18 Rectangular (down) and round (upper) shape of fenugreek seeds.
3
The g/h index expresses the two decimal points of the division germ weight/husk weight, as
in all the cases of a mature fenugreek seed the germ weight is higher than the husk weight.
Fenugreek seeds, especially if powdered, possess a spicy, strong and characteristic odour and
their taste is slightly bitter, oily and farinaceous (Fazli and Hardman, 1968). Max (1992)
emphasises their pungent aromatic properties.
Cultural practices
The cultural practices or cares of a fenugreek crop mainly include irrigation, fertilisation, weed
control and disease-pest control, but only irrigation will be described in this section, as each of
the remaining three practices constitute separate chapters of this volume.
Irrigation
It is well known that the highest yields are obtained when irrigation practices prevent severe
plant stress and promote smooth and continuous growth process through the entire active growing period of any crop, including fenugreek. The problem is the availability of irrigation water
and if it is beneficial to be used for fenugreek or for other more profitable crops.
One of the most important characters of good fenugreek soil is its capacity to supply
sufficient moisture throughout the season for the active growth of the crop. Although fenugreek
is fairly drought resistant (Talelis, 1967; Duke, 1986), however if rainfall plus the residual water
does not cover the water requirements of a fenugreek crop, then the addition of water
by irrigation is necessary and this is significant for arid and semi-arid areas. Del’ Gaudio (1952)
© 2002 Georgios A. Petropoulos
Cultivation
47
supports that if the rainfall from September–April is less than 400 mm, irrigation of fenugreek
is necessary.
Irrigation requirements
Irrigation requirements for fenugreek seed or forage production are dependent upon soil depth
and texture, evaporation, temperature and cropping practices. Shallow and sandy soils need more
often but fewer amounts of irrigation water than the compact deep soils. Higher degrees of evaporation and temperature are required for more amounts of irrigation water. Cropping practices
include plant density, and the water requirements increase on increasing this density. For this
reason when fenugreek is grown as an irrigated crop, the sowing is broadcast rather thickly onto
beds (Duke, 1986).
When and how much to irrigate
Irrigation must start immediately after sowing to help in seed germination and be continued
when necessary. This early watering is necessary even for non irrigated fenugreek crops, if rain is
not expected after sowing (Fazli and Hardman, 1968; Duke, 1986). Water supply should be at a
depth that is within reach of the roots. As fenugreek possesses a shallow root system, heavy
watering is not needed.
The determination of soil moisture and the inspection of plant appearance, preferably, in the
morning are going to help the grower to decide a suitable time to apply irrigation. It is estimated that a water quantity of 200 m3/ha every time for sandy soils, and 250 m3/ha for heavier
soils replicated every fortnight is sufficient for a successful fenugreek crop. Pareek and Gupta
(1981) report the application of irrigation five times for the whole growing period of a fenugreek
crop under Indian conditions.
Quality of irrigation water
Although fenugreek is tolerant to salt (Duke, 1986) recently Yadar et al. (1996) reported that
irrigation with sodic water (EC 1.93 ds/m and residual sodium carbonate 12.0 me/l) resulted
in a greater percentage of deduction in seed yield of fenugreek than in the more tolerant spices
(fennel and black mustard).
Method of application
As far as the method of irrigation is concerned for fenugreek, both flood and spraying are usually
applied (Saleh, 1996).
Varieties
General
Although the main area cultivated with fenugreek is concentrated in some countries of Asia and
Africa, however it has been distributed in many countries throughout the world under different
environments. So, for a successful cultivation of fenugreek, varieties that are high yielding with
wide adaptability are needed.
© 2002 Georgios A. Petropoulos
48
Georgios A. Petropoulos
It is well known that for self-pollinated plants, like fenugreek, distinct and uniform varieties
exist. Information on the breeding work that has been performed on fenugreek for the creation
of improved varieties is scanty. Reports on this aspect are few and scattered even in India where
recently Edison (1995) reported that the research for spices in his country is still in its infancy.
He realises the lack of advanced breeding methods and adequate genetic variability for evolving
high yielding varieties, with greater stability. However, due to persistent efforts for releasing
improved varieties various research institutions of India have released five fenugreek varieties in
the last eight years and more have been recommended for wide cultivation (Edison, 1995). But
mostly improved fenugreek varieties in India have been created and evaluated locally, the introduction of germplasm from around the world to increase genetic variability and to adapt the crop
to a wide array of growing environments, has not been realised. For this reason serious efforts have
been made in India to promote the import/exchange of valuable germplasm as well as varieties
mainly from the Mediterranean region, in order to overcome the yield barrier (Edison, 1995).
Attempts have also been made for relevant research work on fenugreek, usually covered under
the framework of massive agricultural research in different institutes and universities throughout the world. Outside India some improved varieties and cultivars have been created
(Del Gaudio, 1953; Bunting, 1972; Petropoulos, 1973; Hardman, 1980; Cornish et al., 1983;
Saleh, 1996).
Until about 1970 the varieties of fenugreek used were directed mainly for flavouring purposes
in food and as a spice. The potential industrial use of fenugreek as a source of steroidal diosgenin
strengthens its position as a chemurgic crop and establishes a pattern for the development of
new improved varieties.
Varieties and cultivars1
The varieties or cultivars of fenugreek that are used most are listed in Table 4.3.
Five varieties in Table 4.3 named as ‘Co-1’, ‘Rajendra kanti’, ‘RMt-1’, ‘Lam Sel 1’ and ‘Pusa
Early Bunching’ (HM-57) are reported by Edison (1995) as the most interesting varieties of
fenugreek in India, most of them have been recommended for a wide cultivation by farmers.
The varieties reported in Table 4.3 by Kamal et al. (1987) collected from different geographical regions of South India and tested spectrophotometrically for their diosgenin content of seed,
ranged from 750 mg % in UM-112 to 70 mg % in UM-17. Among those with high diosgenin
content are also Co 1 (650 mg %) and CVT UM TC 2336 (455 mg %), while those with low
diosgenin content include UM-18 (87 mg %) and UM-75 (125 mg %).
The twenty varieties in Table 4.3 reported by Prasad and Hiremath (1985) were screened for
their resistance against Rhizoctonia solani, and only TG-18 and UM-20 showed some tolerance,
while none showed complete resistance.
The Egyptian variety ‘Gharbin-6’ is an old and productive one, it is the creation of the Giza
Cairo Experimental Plant Station.
Del’ Gaudio (1953) in Italy selected a new variety ‘Ali corte’ from the basic variety ‘Ali
lunghe’ with short wings to the flower. It is more productive of fresh forage and seed.
Vaitsis (1985) in Greece evolved the variety ‘Ionia’ with long stems, resistant to the fungus
Sclerotinia sclerotiorum, with high precocity, good adaptability, tolerant to cold and high yielding.
It has been listed in the official Journal of the European Communities (Anonymous, 1996).
1 We use the term ‘cultivar’ only for genetic materials of fenugreek that have not been released yet for a wide cultivation by farmers, while the term ‘variety’ is used for the genetic materials that have been released for a wide cultivation
usually by certified seed and have been registered in relevant catalogues.
© 2002 Georgios A. Petropoulos
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49
Table 4.3 List of the most used varieties or cultivars of fenugreek in the world
No.
1
2
3
4
Varieties or cultivars
References
Country
Remarks
CO-1, Rajendra
Kanti, RMt-1,
LamSel 1, Pusa
Early Bunching
UM-9, UM-17, UM-18,
UM-23, UM-25,
UM-26, UM-27, UM-32,
UM-33, UM-36,
UM-50, UM-52, UM-58,
UM-67, UM-70,
UM-75, UM-77, UM-79,
UM-83, UM-84,
UM-105, UM-112,
UM-113, UM-114,
UM-115, CVT UM-5,
CVT UM-17, CVT UM-32,
CVT UM-34,
CVT UM-35, CVT
UM TC 2336,
CVT TG 1084, CVT
GF 1, CVT CC,
CVT NLM, NLM,
CO 1, Local check,
CT Lam Sel 1
RG-07, TG-3, TG-13,
TG-18, TG-24,
TG-34, UM-5, UM-6,
UM-17, UM-20,
UM-34, UM-35,
UM-38, NI-01, MP-14,
IC-99, LamSel 1,
Local Bobes,
Pusa Earlier,
Bangalore-Local
T-8
Edison, 1955
India
Details in the text
Kamal et al., 1987
India
Details in the text
Prasad and Hiremath, 1985
India
Details in the text
Paroda and Karwasra, 1975
India
5
HM-46
Singh et al., 1994
India
6
IC-74
Singh and Singh, 1974
India
7
8
9
‘Gharbin-6’
‘Ali Lunghe’, ‘Ali Corte’
Ionia
Egypt
Italy
Greece
10
11
12
Gouta
Barbara, Margaret, Paul
Fluorescent, Ethiopian,
Kenyan, Moroccan
Bunting, 1972
Del’ Gaudio, 1953
Vaitsis, 1985; Anonymous,
1996
Haefele et al., 1997
Hardman, 1980; Evans, 1989
Petropoulos, 1973
Highly unstable
especially in poor
environments
No reduction of
phenol at maturity
Mother of the
mutant ‘Trailing
Green’
Old variety
Details in the text
Details in the text
France
England
England
—
Details in the text
Details in the text
© 2002 Georgios A. Petropoulos
50
Georgios A. Petropoulos
The three varieties in Table 4.3 created by Hardman (1980) named ‘Barbara’, ‘Margaret’ and
‘Paul’, are entered in the UK National List. Their main characteristics are the following:
1
2
3
Barbara: Soft seeds, fluorescent under UV light, suitable for forage production, also high
in protein, fixed oils and mucilage content of seed. Diosgenin: 1.2 per cent, D-value: 89,
resistant to autumnal fungi attacks.
Margaret: High average of hard seeds and may need scarification. Similar to Paul variety.
Medium in protein and fixed oils content. Diosgenin: 1.5 per cent, D-value: 81.
Paul: High percentage of hard seeds and may also need scarification. Low in protein and
fixed oils content. Diosgenin: 1.4 per cent, D-value: 81. Resistant to frost.
Four cultivars in Table 4.3 named ‘Fluorescent’, ‘Ethiopian’, ‘Kenyan’ and ‘Moroccan’ are
described in more details as follows. They are being published for the first time.
1
2
3
Fluorescent (RH 2602). This cultivar was created by continuous mass selection of a spontaneous mutation from the Ethiopian population RH 2475 with criteria the wide and long
pods and the uniform plants. Its main characteristics are: large and round in outline seeds
that look like the shape B as described by Fazli and Hardman (1968), these are fluorescent
under UV light and this property is controlled by a single recessive gene (Petropoulos,
1973). The wide and long pods contain 10–15 seeds, they change from green to a light
straw colour when ripe. This cultivar belongs to a pallida type (see Chapter 5). It possesses a
high proportion of ‘open’ flowers. It is characterized by the absence of hard seeds. It is a very
tall cultivar with a high g/h index.
The advantages of this cultivar are the simultaneous and relative high content of the four
active constituents (diosgenin, protein, fixed oils and mucilage) of seeds, and its usefulness
for genetic studies, as many distinguishing morphological characters are controlled by
recessive genes (Petropoulos, 1973). Also it possesses a very high specific seed weight, resistance to fungi Ascochyta sp. and Oidiopsis sp. and tolerance to Bean Yellow Mosaic Virus. The
susceptibility to fungus Heterosposium sp., mineral deficiencies, winds, premature germination of seeds in the pods, late maturity and the quick loss of its seed viability are some of its
disadvantages.
Ethiopian (RH 2699). This cultivar was created by continuous mass selection of a spontaneous mutation from the Ethiopian population RH 2278 with criteria the wide pods and the
uniform plants. It belongs to the colorata type (see Chapter 5) and reddish secondary shoots
arise from the base. The pods, when ripe, take a light brown colour with 9–14 round seeds,
belonging to punctate olivacea according to Serpukhova’s classification (Serpukhova, 1934).
The advantages of this cultivar are the high percentage in crude protein and fixed oils
and its resistance to the fungi Ascochyta sp. and Oidiopsis sp. The susceptibility to the fungus
Heterosporium sp., the prematurity of the seeds in the pod, the late maturity and the
relatively low yielding nature, are some of its disadvantages.
Kenyan (RH 2698). This cultivar was created by continuous mass selection of the Kenyan
population RH 2591 with criteria the high proportion of twin pods on the top of the stem,
the resistance to mineral deficiencies and winds, the high yielding and the property of no
sprouting in the pod. The main shoot does not differ markedly from the secondary shoots,
which arise from the base. This cultivar belongs to the colorata type. The pods are narrow
and short and turn from slight reddish before ripening to light brown when ripe, they contain 14–20 seeds, and belong to the nanofulfa type, according to Serpukhova’ s classification
(Serpukhova, 1934). They look like the shape C as described by Fazli and Hardman (1968).
© 2002 Georgios A. Petropoulos
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4
51
The advantages of this cultivar are: the very high diosgenin content of seeds, the high
seed yielding nature, the earliness in maturity, the absence of sprouting in pod, the resistance to damp weather and to winds because of the strong stems and the secondary shoots
that arise from the base, and finally its fair resistance to the fungus Heterosporium sp. Among
its disadvantages are included the susceptibility to attacks by the fungi Ascochyta sp. and
Oidiopsis sp., attacks by the Bean Yellow Mosaic Virus and to mineral deficiencies. Also the
high proportion of hard seeds that impose the need of scarification before sowing, the scattering and shattering of the seeds, the low protein content and the low g/h index.
Moroccan (RH 2701). This cultivar was created by continuous mass selection of the
Moroccan population RH 2283 with criteria the uniform plants with large seeds and high
proportion of twin pods.
Although it belongs to the colorata type the stems, the petiolules and the blades of the leaves
are without anthocyanin. The pods are green before ripening and turning to light straw or silver
when ripe, long but narrow, containing 12–16 seeds that belong to the magnofulva type according to Serpukhova’s classification (Serpukhova, 1934). They look like the shape A as described
by Fazli and Hardman (1968).
The advantages of this cultivar are the earliness of ripening, the resistance to winds because of
the shortness of the plant, the absence of sprouting and shedding of the seeds and the fair resistance to the fungus Heterosporium sp. and to mineral deficiencies. The susceptibility to fungi
Ascochyta sp. and Oidiopsis sp. and to Bean Yellow Mosaic Virus, the quite high proportion of hard
seeds and the low percentage in fixed oils and mucilage content are some of its disadvantages.
Typical leaves of these four cultivars are presented in Figure 4.19, while typical seeds of the same
cultivars are presented in Figure 4.20. The agronomic and chemical evaluation of these four breeding cultivars are presented in Table 4.4. A detecting pigment paper chromatogram (Figure 4.21) of
RH 2602
RH 2699
RH 2698
RH 2701
Figure 4.19 Leaves of four breeding cultivars of fenugreek (from left to right: Fluorescent, Ethiopian,
Kenyan and Moroccan).
© 2002 Georgios A. Petropoulos
52
Georgios A. Petropoulos
RH 2699
RH 2701
RH 2602
RH 2698
Figure 4.20 Seeds of four breeding cultivars of fenugreek (RH 2602 ⫽ Fluorescent, RH 2699 ⫽
Ethiopian, RH 2698 ⫽ Kenyan, RH 2701 ⫽ Moroccan).
Table 4.4 Agronomical and chemical evaluation of four breeding cultivars
Characters
Agronomic characters
Seed yield (g/plant)
Height (cm)
Fertility (ovules fertile %)
Pods per plant
Twin pods (% of total)
Seeds per pod
Shedding of the seeds (scale 1 → 5)
Mineral deficiencies (B, Mg, Mn)
sensitivity
Hardness of seed (%)
One thousand seed weight (g)
Specific seed weight
G/h index
Endosp./Testa ratio
Chemical evaluation of seed (m.f.b)
Diosgenin (column/I.R. %)
Crude protein (%)
Fixed oil (%)
Mucilage (%)
Cultivars
Fluorescent
Ethiopian
Kenyan
Moroccan
12.1*
80
95.6
120.2
3.3
13.4
2.2
32.2
12.0
70
94.8
121.4
8.9
13.1
3.1
26.4
17.1
75
84.2
160.4
19.8
16.4
4.1
30.4
15.0
58
97.3
90.8
9.3
14.6
1.8
25.3
0
29
82–86
57
1.8
0
26
78–81
46
1.6
40
17
77–79
32
1.4
15
27
75–78
43
1.3
1.38
30.7
9.3
21.2
1.18
31.8
9.4
18.9
1.51
25.7
8.4
20.1
1.19
30.1
7.6
17.0
* A high figure indicates that the cultivar shows the character to a high degree.
© 2002 Georgios A. Petropoulos
Cultivation
Fluorescent
Ethiopian
(whole seeds) (whole seeds)
Rutin
53
Kenyan
Moroccan
(whole seeds) (whole seeds)
Figure 4.21 Chromatogram of fenugreek seeds of four breeding cultivars, showing the presence
of only one colour spot in the Fluorescent cultivar (Solvent: Butanol : Acetic acid :
Water 4 : 1 : 5. Visualisation with ammonia).
these cultivars indicates that in the Fluorescent cultivar there is only one pigment and this is in the
germ while there is no pigment in its testa (Petropoulos, 1973).
Although the agronomic and other characteristics of a fenugreek cultivar vary greatly between
localities, most of them are quite well adapted in the environments in which they are grown.
This means the four breeding cultivars are better adapted in northern countries with cold and
wet climates.
Comparing the seed yield components among the four cultivars for UK conditions (area of Bath)
as seen in Table 4.5 it is concluded that Moroccan and Kenyan were the highest seed yield producers, while Ethiopian and Fluorescent the poorest ones. The superiority of the Moroccan is mainly
due to its precocity ensuring a higher percentage of full mature pods while the Kenyan, although
it has very small seeds, possesses more pods/plant and seeds/plant than the other cultivars.
© 2002 Georgios A. Petropoulos
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Georgios A. Petropoulos
Table 4.5 Theoretical seed yield of four breeding cultivars, based on seed yield components by UK
conditions (area of Bath)
No.
1
2
3
4
5
6
Seed yield components
Pods per plant
Seeds per pod
Plants/ha
Percentage of pods reached full maturity
One thousand seed weight (g)
Seed yield (kg/ha)
Cultivars
Fluorescent
Ethiopian
Kenyan
Moroccan
120.2
13.4
158.480
31.3
29
2.317
121.4
13.1
158.480
37.2
26
2.288
160.4
16.4
158.480
42.3
17
2.998
90.8
14.6
158.480
53.2
27
3.018
Table 4.6 List of some promising genotypes of fenugreek
No.
Genotypes
References
Country of
creation
Remarks
1
HFM 1, HFM 7, HFM 8, HFM 13, HFM 14,
HFM 17, HFM 18, HFM 19, HFM 20, HFM 22,
HFM 25, HFM 27, HFM 29, HFM 30, HFM 34,
HFM 37, HFM 39, HFM 54, HFM 61, HFM 63,
HFM 65, HFM 116
RH 3112, RH 3113, RH 3114, RH 3116,
RH 3117, RH 3119, RH 3120, RH 3122,
RH 3109/32, RH 3109/33, RH 3109/42,
RH 3110/66
Green trailing
Paroda and
Karwasra,
1975
India
Details in
the text
Petropoulos,
1973
England
Details in
the text
Singh and
Singh, 1974
India
Details in
the text
2
3
Promising genotypes
The most promising genotypes of fenugreek are summarised in Table 4.6.
The genotypes of Table 4.6 reported by Paroda and Karwasra (1975) were studied for genotype – environment interactions for green fodder yield. Thus, the genotypes HFM 8 and 19 were
found to be stable with a high response to changes in environments, while the genotypes HFM
17, 34, 37, 39 and 63 were stable and good for poor environmental conditions. The genotype
HFM 39 in particular gave a significantly higher yield over the control and so it was strongly
recommended to be included in future breeding programs.
Also, the genotypes in Table 4.6 as reported by Petropoulos (1973) are considered very
promising (see Chapter 5) as they were found superior, in comparison with the tested varieties
and cultivars, for the following agronomic and chemical composition properties: high yielding
(RH 3109/32), resistance to fungus Ascochyta sp. (RH 3113, RH 3122), resistance to
fungus Heterosporium sp. (RH 3114, RH 3120), resistance to winds (RH 3117, RH 3119), high
precocity (RH 3114, RH 3116), high diosgenin content of seed (RH 3109/42, RH 3110/66)
and high protein content of seed (RH 3109/33). The genotype RH 3112 in particular is an
induced mutant and it is very promising and valuable as it is simultaneously high yielding. It is
15 per cent higher in diosgenin content than the mother Kenyan cultivar. It has a short period
between the start of ripening and full ripening of pod, has no shedding of seeds and is resistant
to winds.
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The genotype ‘Green trailing’, which is a spontaneous mutant, is very promising as it is 30
days earlier in flowering and consequently in maturity than the mother clone ‘IC-74’ (Singh and
Singh, 1974).
Rotation and intercropping
Cropping systems
The cropping or production systems that are usually applied in a fenugreek crop are: (i) The fall
and the spring crops and (ii) the pure and the intercropped crops.
As fenugreek is fairly drought resistant (Talelis, 1967; Duke, 1986) and fairly frost resistant
(Talelis, 1967; Bunting, 1972) it is generally sown either in the fall and grown as a winter crop
in areas with mild winter, or it is sown in spring and grown as a summer crop in areas with soil
that keeps moisture during this growing season.
Fenugreek is cultivated either as a pure (unmixed) crop or it is intercropped with other plant
species.
Rotation
In the pure crops a rotation system is usually applied where the growing of different crops takes
place in a regular order or sequence, and the means of preceding and following crops are used.
The continuous or too frequent growing of different crops results in the rapid breakdown of
organic matter and leaves the soil bare and exposed to erosion, while the loss of organic matter
also reduces the water absorbing and water holding capacity of the soil.
In choosing a rotation for any given farm or field its relative fertility, the erosion dangers, the
diseases, insects or weeds control, the use of equipment, the distribution of labour, the requirements of foods for humans and livestock and finally the achievement of the greatest profit from
the farm as a whole over a period of years, must be taken into consideration. As Edison (1995)
has reported for spices, including fenugreek, research on crop rotations and the cropping system
needs intensification.
Fenugreek is considered a good soil renovator (Duke, 1986). Also, it is very effective in
conserving moisture because of its weakly developed root system and it was considered very suitable as green manure in California (Piper, 1947). In contrast all the deep rooted legume crops,
such as lucerne or sweet clover, when they are turned under for green manure the soil has
usually dried out to a depth of several feet (Arnon, 1972).
The earlier the fenugreek is harvested the higher the amount of residual moisture. It may be
said that the most promising approach towards raising the level of soil fertility mainly in the
semi-arid regions of sufficient rainfall is the inclusion in the rotation of a fenugreek forage crop
and second a fenugreek seed crop. This is because when the fenugreek is cut before the seed is
formed the amount of plant nutrients removed from the soil are relatively small, while the soil is
enriched in N and organic matter and weeds are cut before flowering and are therefore well controlled. Also fenugreek as a means of increasing soil moisture in dry areas is of overriding importance, and it is very effective for maintaining soil fertility.
As far as the types of rotation are concerned, the areas devoted to a soil improving crop may
vary from one-half, one-third, to one-sixth of the total area (Arnon, 1972). Hence, we get a
plethora of two-, three-, four-, five- and six-year crop rotations.
So, a very good two year rotation crop is fenugreek–wheat, which is widely practised (Dachler
and Pelzmann, 1989). The two crops complement each other culturally and nutritionally in the
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Georgios A. Petropoulos
making of different types of bread. The usefulness of fenugreek as a commercial crop is now
being recognised and also as a break-crop for cereal areas (Hardman, 1969). The introduction of
fenugreek into rotation rapidly restores the productivity of worn-out wheat soils.
As fenugreek requires a field free of weeds (Anonymous, 1987) it must not be sowed after
a crop that is favourable to the growth of weeds or that may destroy the texture of the soil
(Anonymous, 1987), and because it is a legume that fixes the atmospheric N, it could follow
a high N consumer crop like tobacco (Anonymous, 1987; Heeger, 1989). So, a successful threeyear crop rotation system could be cereal–fenugreek–tobacco.
A specific rotation usually has one or more cultivated or row crops, at least one small grain
crop and a sod crop (Hughes and Henson, 1957). Thus, an effective four-year rotation could be
potatoes–wheat–fenugreek–tobacco.
It appears that the crop yield can be economically maintained regardless of the rotation,
providing it contains a legume like fenugreek at least once in 5 years, and the crops are
reasonably fertilised (Hughues and Henson, 1957). So, a very good five-year rotation could be
corn–potatoes–wheat–fenugreek–tobacco.
All these rotation systems are based on observations, adaptation trials and discussions among
the scientists, who conducted the trials in many countries. The influence of these crop rotations
on crop yields and other effects of certain crops on succeeding ones has been reported from most
of the corresponding agricultural experiment stations. For example, it has been estimated that in
rotation the effect of fenugreek as a preceding crop on the amount of residual moisture in soil
(30–120 cm depth) at time of sowing, and of the following wheat crop, was: fenugreek for
green-manure 3,500 m3/ha and fenugreek seed 2,520 m3/ha (Arnon, 1972).
It should be emphasised that there are many different rotations including fenugreek in use
and there may be several different rotations that will give equally satisfactory results for any one
soil and climatic condition.
Intercropping
When fenugreek is intercropped it is used either as a main crop or as first, second etc. intercrop.
Fenugreek, as an erect crop, offers support in the inter-creeping legumes (Talelis, 1967), while
in the case of fenugreek for forages the intercropping reduces its peculiar smell that causes tainting in milk and meat and their derivatives (Talelis, 1967; Duke, 1986). Fenugreek for forages is
intercropped in Greece with vetch, faba beans, horse bean (Talelis, 1967; Dalianis, 1987), barley
and clover (Talelis, 1967) and in Europe with alfalfa (Talelis, 1967) and faba beans (Heeger,
1989). Fenugreek for seed is intercropped in India with coriander, gingelly, bengal gram (Duke,
1986), turmeric (Sekar and Muthuswami, 1985) and sugarcane (Singh and Rai, 1996), and in
Poland with anise (Anonymous, 1987). It must be emphasised that when turmeric (main crop)
was intercropped with fenugreek (first intercrop) the highest net income was obtained in comparison with other applied combinations of turmeric intercropping (Sekar and Muthuswami, 1985).
Harvesting
Maturation
The maturation of the fenugreek plant, especially of the pod, should be studied before the examination of the plant harvesting itself. It is known that fenugreek has an indeterminate, growth
habit continuing from the terminal and axillary buds, while flowering and formation are even
and maturation of pods are still in progress. The process of fenugreek maturation depends to
© 2002 Georgios A. Petropoulos
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57
some degree upon conditions external to the plant, such as, first climate and season, second the
natural character of the soil and third on artificial factors concerned with cultivated practice.
Fenugreek seed development lasts approximately 120 days after anthesis (Campbell and Reid,
1982).
Stages of pod development
It was found that the pod of fenugreek has the following four distinguishing stages of
development (Petropoulos, 1973):
1
2
3
4
First stage (Length development). It starts from the time of flower fertilisation until the pod
takes its approximately final length, but it is still narrow. The seeds are very small. There is
no differentiation between testa and endosperm of seed, while the germ is invisible.
Duration of this stage: 25–30 days.
Second stage (Width development). The pod is chiefly developed in width. The husk of the seed
increases characteristically and the differentiation between testa and endosperm is clear, but
the weight quotient endosperm/testa is smaller than 1. The germ is visible now but the
ratio of germ/husk is also smaller than 1. Duration of this stage: 20–25 days.
Third stage (Germ development). The size of the pod remains nearly the same, while the germ
(embryo) of the seed increases characteristically and the quotient of germ/husk starts to
become higher than unity. The husk increases slowly but the ratio of endosperm/testa starts
to become higher than unity. This stage takes 35–45 days.
Fourth stage (Ripening). The pod, according to the variety, changes colour from green to
light straw for some varieties and from green to light brown for others, starting from the
tip of the pod to the base. At the same time, the embryo of the seed changes colour from
green to yellow for some varieties and from green to purple for others, starting from the area
of the radicle. Pods open slowly, hence the fenugreek crop is easily handled for seed production (Duke, 1986). But in some cases the shattering of pods and scattering of seeds takes
place especially in some varieties, which are sensitive from this aspect. Duration of this
stage is from 15 to 20 days.
It was found that when the first lower pod of each shoot is completely ripe, the pods up to the
fifth or sixth node have started to ripen and their maturation, especially for experimental purposes,
could be continued artificially at room temperature for about 3 weeks (Petropoulos, 1973).
Harvesting for forage
Although the use of fenugreek for forage is very limited today, mainly because of its peculiar
smell that causes tainting of animal products and their derivatives (Molfino, 1947; Talelis, 1967;
Dalianis, 1987), it is still used in India and Turkey as green fodder and hay for cattle. Hardman
(1997) suggests it can be used as an alternative to lucerne or forage peas, while he confirms its
use as silage in Japan, and says that fenugreek seed and straw are shown to be superior to other
legume seeds and straws in a balanced feed with sheep in vivo experiments in Spain.
Time of harvesting
It is evidently important to harvest fenugreek crop for forage at the time that will allow the
greatest yield, and at the same time ensure a product of high quality.
The losses resulting from the delayed harvesting of forage fenugreek are due to the shattering
of the leaves, reduction of palatability and decrease in nutritive value, while the disadvantages of
© 2002 Georgios A. Petropoulos
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Georgios A. Petropoulos
its premature harvesting are the lower yields of food constituents and dry matter and the greater
difficulty in curing.
Hence, according to all indications, the best harvesting time of fenugreek for green fodder
should be when the pods of the base are in the first stage of their development, where the plants
are a well formed mass and are very tender. For hay these pods complete the second stage of their
development and the germ of the seed that is rich in protein has started to increase in size, which
at the same time increases the protein content of the hay.
Harvesting in a manner to save the most leaves with the stems is a primary goal. In India, for
forage, October plantings are cut in February–March, while when sown in January the plantings
are cut in April (Duke, 1986).
There is a theory that the responsibility for the peculiar odour of fenugreek plant is the alkaloid trigonelline (Marques de Almeida, 1940), during germination and growth the trigonelline
content varies and a marked decrease is noted during the first 30 days followed by a regular
increase up to seed formation. This may be taken into consideration as far as the time of harvesting is concerned, although Molfino (1947) believes that this odour is due to the contented
coumarin.
Methods of harvesting
Fenugreek can be cut and handled either by labourers or with ordinary farm cutting equipment
or by conventional mowers, conditioners and rakes. Also, the use of rectangular balers and forage
harvesters are recommended for special farm situations in the future.
Drying of hay
The moisture reduction of the fenugreek hay from up to 75 per cent to less than 12 per cent for
storing, constitutes one of the most difficult of all crop harvesting jobs. In a warm dry climate,
drying is affected by simply exposing the cutting hay to the air in shallow layers. But under
humid conditions, in most cases, the fresh hay has often been oven-dried.
Mode of use
When fenugreek is used as forage it is mostly harvested as hay. Under adverse climatic conditions, however, it is often saved as brown hay. It may also be preserved as silage but this is
seldom done, except when weather conditions prevent drying and a silo is available. Fenugreek
is also used as fodder as a sort of straw, that is, after the seed has been threshed, but its palatability
is quite low.
Harvesting for seed
Fenugreek is cultivated mainly for seed production (Piper, 1947; Hidvegi et al., 1984; Dalianis,
1987). So, the harvesting for seed presents special interesting information.
Time of harvesting
Mature pods on the lower part of the plants are usually ready to be harvested, while new flowers
and pods are still forming at the top because of its indeterminate growth habit. The decision as
to when to harvest, is always arbitrary. Harvesting too late permits ripe pods to shatter
© 2002 Georgios A. Petropoulos
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59
and scatter and the seeds are lost, while harvesting too early means an excessive amount
of unripe pods with green shrivellent seeds. So, in most of the cases, especially under wet
conditions, harvesting starts when most of the pods are mature (Anonymous, 1987; Heeger,
1989).
Fenugreek ripens usually c. 3–5 months after planting (Fazli and Hardman, 1968), but this is
true for spring sowing, as in Greece for fall sowing in November this time exceeded 7 months.
In Poland for sowing in April with fine weather, the harvest is in August – beginning of
September (Anonymous, 1987).
Methods of harvesting
Two methods of harvesting fenugreek seed are usually employed: the traditional method, where
the plants are cut and handled mainly by labourers, and the modern one of mechanical
harvesting.
According to the first method, the plants are cut by labourers with ordinary farm equipment
when most of the pods are mature. The uprooted plants are left in the field to dry for
a few days until the maturation of the green pod seeds especially those of the nearly mature.
Then they are thrashed with a grain thrasher, winnowed (by wind sifting), further dried and
stored. This method, which is still applied by some farmers in underdeveloped fenugreek producing countries, is laborious and is characterised by a high cost of production and a high percentage loss of seed. This is because of the shattering of pods and scattering of seed, mainly from
the many removals of the plants.
Mechanical harvesting usually has two versions: the direct combining and the windrow
curing and then threshing with a pick up combine.
Direct combining is applied in countries with a dry climate and in fields with low moisture
content soils and winds apt to disturb windrows. An advantage is that the harvest can be delayed
until nearly all the pods are ripe, but not too delayed, as extensive losses can result from shattering. Direct combining should start as soon as the pods and the leaves are dry (15–20
per cent moisture) even though the stems are still relatively green (40 per cent). The seed should
be aired within 24 h of harvest.
It is necessary to adjust the combining machine for seed harvesting to prevent heating, as the
first pods of the base are very close to the surface of the soil and also to adjust the auger speed,
usually reducing it below what has been recommended by the manufactures.
Windrow curing is preferable where fields are late maturing with a high proportion of green
pods caused by high soil moisture, as the maturation can be continued in the windrow especially
with the nearly mature seeds. A conventional mower should cut plants when up to
80 per cent of the seed pods are mature. Windrow curing follows for a few days until the maturation of most of the green pod seeds and then threshing with an adapted pick-up combine used
for harvesting seed legumes (preferably for lentil), when the moisture content of the foliage is
from 12–18 per cent. In Poland (Anonymous, 1987) the uprooted plants are put in a truss
obliquely like a cone on the soil, or on a three-legged wooden skeleton to dry and then they are
threshed. Windrow losses could be higher if winds in the area are troublesome.
In both of these versions mechanical injury to the seed from improper combining adjustment
may cause losses and a deterioration in the yield. It is important to check each combine for
mechanical damage of seed when harvesting begins. If the percentage of visible injury exceeds
5 per cent, the combine should be stopped and necessary adjustments should be made to
minimise the seed damage.
© 2002 Georgios A. Petropoulos
60
Georgios A. Petropoulos
Harvesting in wet climates
In wet climates and generally in prolonged wet weather during the harvesting period of
fenugreek, many problems are created (Petropoulos, 1973; Jorgensen, 1988). In these cases, the
peculiarity of indeterminate growth of fenugreek becomes intensely obvious with the continuous regrowth of the plant, resulting in the simultaneous presence of ripe pods on the base and
complete unripe ones on the top. So, seeds germinate while they are still in the pods on the
plant, especially in sensitive cultivars like Fluorescent, and shattering on the pods on the base
and scattering of the seeds occur because of the prolonged growth of the plants. Under these wet
conditions, in order to help the full maturation of the seed and to avoid the above losses the
following actions may be necessary before threshing:
i to stop any late feeding by N;
ii to sacrifice the pods of the upper top of the stem by top cuttings in order to obtain timely
harvesting of the rest and reduce shattering losses; and
iii to apply a desiccant chemical, like reglone, dinoseb, diquat, etc., which should be used
according to the instructions from the manufacturer and based on local experience, and left
for at least ten days before direct harvesting.
Despite all these actions, it was found (Petropoulos, 1973) that in England by natural ripening,
the proportion of the seeds per plant that reach full maturity varies according to the cultivar
and the average is only 40 per cent. But we must not ignore the fact that under these wet conditions the potential productivity of fenugreek is very high in comparison with the non irrigated
crops of traditional fenugreek producing countries. But in very heavy wet conditions it is often
difficult to avoid the oven-drying of the raw material to 10 per cent moisture content, before
threshing.
Drying
As had been reported previously, in warm dry climates drying is effected by simply exposing the
cut plant material to the air in shallow windrows, or in an oblique truss on the soil, or in rainy
weather on a three-legged wooden skeleton. But under very heavy humid conditions, the plant
material has nearly always been oven-dried, especially for valuable experimental stock.
The temperature and the total time of drying are important. Generally for seed production
the temperature of drying air should not exceed 32–43⬚C (Anonymous, 1961). It was found for
the production of certified seed of fenugreek, especially for some sensitive cultivars (i.e. Kenyan
and Moroccan), that the temperature should not exceed 35⬚C to limit the proportion of hard
seeds (see Table 4.2). Also, drying in high temperatures, sets up stresses between the inner and
outer areas of the fenugreek seed particularly at high moisture levels, which can result in the
severe cracking of the seed coat, especially in the sensitive Fluorescent cultivar (Petropoulos,
1973).
It is important to find the proper balance between too rapid drying with resulting coat cracking or coat hardening and preventing complete drying and too slow drying with deterioration of
the seed, especially under bad ventilation conditions. So, the total drying time for any seed is
influenced by its initial and final moisture content, its drying rate, the rate of airflow and the
temperature of the drying air.
The final moisture content for safe storage of seed is generally 4–14 per cent, depending on
(i) the kind of seed, that is, for fenugreek it has been estimated to be 10 per cent (Petropoulos,
© 2002 Georgios A. Petropoulos
Cultivation
61
1973), while the appropriate Polish Institute (Anonymous, 1987) reports 11 per cent, (ii) the
type of storage and (iii) the anticipated storage period. It must be said that fenugreek seeds
retain their viability for many years (Petropoulos, 1973; Duke, 1986). Lower moisture levels are
generally desirable for longer storage time and confined storage conditions.
A rule of thumb that can be used to determine drying time is that about 0.3 per cent of the
moisture can be removed per hour with an air flow rate of 11.5 m⫺3 per minute per ton
(m3/min ˙ ton) at 43⬚C (Anonymous, 1961). This drying rate varies with different seed, temperature and initial moisture. The hourly rate will be less if the initial moisture content is low and
if the drying air is unheated or is at temperatures below 43⬚C.
It was found, by England conditions, that the fresh harvested raw material of fenugreek (stem
with pods) at the stage of approximately 20 per cent ripe pods, contains 65–70 per cent of moisture that is distributed among the different plant parts in the following proportion: stems and
leaves 47 per cent of total moisture (weighting 42 per cent of the total weight with a moisture
content of 73 per cent) and pods including seeds 53 per cent of the total moisture (weighting 58
per cent of the total weight with a moisture content of 59 per cent) (Petropoulos, 1973).
Also, it was found that every time 11.4 bushels of this raw material was dried with good
results to a final moisture content of around 10 per cent in an electric oven volume 130 c.f. with
air intake 20⬚C, oven air temperature around 36⬚C and air flow rate 57.2 c.f.m., in a drying time
of 182 h (Petropoulos, 1973).
Cleaning
Fenugreek after threshing and collecting should be cleansed of the extraneous matter and the
other impurities by a suitable seed cleaning machine. There are many types of seed cleaning
machines that operate on the basis of size, shape, density and surface texture. In Greece adapted
wheat seed cleaning machines are used for cleaning fenugreek seeds.
A suitable cleaning system should permit efficient handling of seeds, prevent injury to them,
avoid mixtures and maximise return from labour and supervisory personnel. The method of handling, whether in bulk, sacks or both will influence the overall design.
After the seed cleaning, the threshold of quality standards that should not be exceeded for
a first and second class quality seeds of fenugreek, according to the appropriate Polish Institute
(Anonymous, 1987), as far as the purity is concerned are respectively: (i) extraneous organic
matter: 2 and 3 per cent, (ii) extraneous mineral matter: 0.5 per cent in both cases, (iii) other
parts of the plant: 1 per cent and 5 per cent, (iv) seeds with different colour: 5 per cent and 10 per
cent and (v) matter that goes through from a sieve 1.6 mm: 3.5 per cent, in both cases.
Storage
Special care is needed mainly for the storage of the fenugreek seeds, as the storage of hay is an
easy story. The distinguishing of storage of seeds for common use and of seeds for seeding is
necessary. In the first case interest presents the preservation of seed, while in the second case the
primary purpose is to retain their viability and vigour for many years.
Several factors may determine the healthy situation and longevity of fenugreek seeds stored in
a natural environment, like moisture, temperature, seed coat character, maturity and insect
infestation. For best results fenugreek seeds must be stored in an environment with less than
10 per cent moisture with a temperature near 0⬚C.
Fenugreek seeds retain their viability for long periods. In Greece, fenugreek seeds forgotten
in a truck for 47 years germinated very well. There are some indications for the Fluorescent
© 2002 Georgios A. Petropoulos
62
Georgios A. Petropoulos
cultivar that the viability of its seeds is reduced rapidly in comparison with other cultivars, this
may be due to the homologous pair of recessive genes that control the lack of colour and the natural splitting or crazing (cracks) of the seed coat, which often appears in this cultivar
(Petropoulos, 1973). It has been reported that certain homologous recessive characters are
related to the reduction of vitality of corn seeds (Anonymous, 1961). Also the Fluorerscent cultivar possesses soft instead of hard seeds and according to Mercer (1948) the hardness of the seed
coat protects the viability of seeds.
Yield
Fenugreek as a cultivated crop, as has been reported previously, is grown and harvested
principally for the seeds and secondarily as forage.
Seed yield
Fenugreek, as a legume crop, produces its seeds in pods. So, seed productivity is related to the
yield components that include at the time of harvest (i) seeds/pod, as an average of the variety,
(ii) pods/plant, as an average of the variety, (iii) the proportion of pods that reach the full ripe
stage, mainly according to climate and weather conditions at harvesting time, (iv) one thousand
seed weight and (v) plants/unit area according to the applied plant density.
These yield components for the average of four breeding cultivars by English conditions
(Petropoulos, 1973) and the Ionia variety in Greek conditions (personal experience) are presented in Table 4.7.
As different varieties of fenugreek are cultivated in different conditions throughout the world,
a wide range of seed yields have been reported by various authors. So, Banyai (1973) reported
that in India from twenty-nine ecotypes of fenugreek tested, seed yields are 500–3,320 kg/ha
and that yields of 1,800 kg/ha were economically viable, while the average seed yield of the last
twenty years (1975–95) in India is 1,203 kg/ha (Anonymous, 1996a). Mohamed (1990)
reported a seed yield of 1,595 kg/ha in Egypt, Piper (1947) reported 1,680 kg/ha in USA, while
Talelis (1967) estimated the seed yield in Greece as 2,465 kg/ha. In Ethiopia, the seed yield for
Table 4.7 Yield components for different varieties and various environmental
conditions
No.
Yield components
Variety: the average of the four
breeding cultivars
(Fluorescent, Ethiopian,
Kenyan, Moroccan)
environment: wet and cold
Variety: Ionia
environment:
dry and hot
1
2
3
4
Seeds/pod (Average)
Pods/plant (Average)
Plants/unit area (N/ha)
One thousand seed
weight (kg)
Percentage of full ripe
pods
Seed yield/unit area
(kg/ha)
14
123
158.480
0.025
10
48
158.480
0.018
5
6
© 2002 Georgios A. Petropoulos
40.5
2.763
95
1.300
Cultivation
63
fenugreek was presented as very low, fluctuating between 582 and 608 kg/ha (Anonymous,
1970), while in Poland (Anonymous, 1987) this value was 495–1,480 kg/ha and in Germany
1,700–2,100 kg/ha (Dachler and Pelzmann, 1989). In England, a seed yield of 3,700 kg/ha has
been reported from experimental fields (Petropoulos, 1973; Evans, 1989).
Forage yield
Fenugreek has long been recognised as good forage, especially in ancient times where the species
takes the name foenum-graecum that means ‘Greek hay’. But in modern times this use has dwindled greatly and other forages have replaced it (Pantanelli, 1950; Rouk and Mangesha, 1963).
As different varieties of fenugreek are cultivated in different conditions and are cut for forage
at different stages of growth, a broad range of forage yields has been reported. So, Piper (1947)
reports that the yield of fenugreek as fresh matter was estimated to be 13,170 kg/ha at Santa
Paolo of California and 17,400 kg/ha in San Joaquin Valley, while Duke (1986) reported that
according to the Wealth of India the green forage production of fenugreek is estimated at
9–10 M.T./ha. Paroda and Karwasra (1975) studying twenty-four genotypes, reported that
forage dry matter yields about 1,500–2,750 kg/ha with a mean of c.20,000 kg/ha, while Heeger
(1989) reports a green hay yield of 2,000 kg/ha and for dry hay 5,000 kg/ha. The straw production of fenugreek in Greece is estimated at 1,850 kg/ha.
Uses
Fenugreek is a chemurgic cash crop, usually cultivated as a break crop for cereal, as it is considered a good soil renovator. The whole plant is used as forage and vegetable, while the seeds
(whole, powdered, in flour, or roasted) are used as human and animal food, spice, dyeing,
flavouring, as well as for medicinal and industrial purposes.
Animal food
Originally, it was grown in the ancient world and especially in Europe and was recognised as a
good forage, hence the name ‘Greek hay’ or foenum-graecum (Rouk and Mangesha, 1963). In India
and Turkey it is used as green fodder and hay for cattle. Hardman (1997) suggests it as an alternative to lucerne or forage peas, while in Japan, according to this researcher, it is used as silage.
Mildewed or ‘sour’ hay is made palatable to cattle when fenugreek herbage is mixed with it. Also
Hidvegi et al. (1984) report that fenugreek seeds are used for feeding cattle. Ground fine and
mixed with cotton seed it is fed to cows to increase the flow of milk. An extract of fenugreek seed
is added to animal food to increase its palatability (Smith, 1982), for example, when powdered
mineral magnesite is added to cattle feed to maintain milk production or when the feed requires
it (see section on ‘Flavour extracts’).
But in modern times other forages have replaced fenugreek (Pantanelli, 1950; Rouk and
Mangesha, 1963). In the Middle Ages it is recorded that it was added to inferior hay because of
its pleasant but peculiar smell (Howard, 1987). Molfino (1947) and Talelis (1967) notice that
fenugreek hay causes the tainting of milk and its derivatives. Also Duke (1986) reports that
fenugreek increases the flow of milk in cows but impacts its aroma. According to our observations and experience, if the flavour is unwanted in the meat then fenugreek fodder should be discontinued several weeks before slaughter (Petropoulos, 1973), while Hardman (1997)
suggests that in order to avoid tainting of milk and meat it should be withdrawn from the diet
3 weeks before milking or slaughter.
© 2002 Georgios A. Petropoulos
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Georgios A. Petropoulos
Human food
Young plants and fresh tips of fenugreek are succulent and eaten as a salad, or cooked and generally served as a condiment in India and Egypt, as the fresh plant is very rich in vitamin C
(207 mg per cent) (Saleh et al., 1977).
The fenugreek seed is rich in protein, fixed oils and minerals and so it is nutritive and a tonic
(Anonymous, 1994). It is an important fodder crop for those countries in the Middle and Far
East where meatless diets are customary for cultural and religious reasons. Fenugreek protein is
rich in lysine (345 mg/g) and in comparison to the data for human requirements, calculated
from the amino acid pattern, approaches that of soybeans (Hidvegi et al., 1984). Fenugreek contains c.5 per cent oil with a strong celery odour and is used in butterscotch, cheese, licorise,
pickle, rum, syrup and vanilla flavours (Duke, 1986). It is supposed to stimulate the appetite
(Parry, 1943) and the digestive process (Fazli and Hardman, 1968). Egyptians and Hindus cultivated it for food (Howard, 1987). In Sudan and Egypt the seeds are used in making beverages
and in some countries the roasted seeds are used as a coffee substitute, probably because of the
alkaloid trigonelline content, which is a basic constituent of the coffee seed. While in Ethiopia
the seeds are prepared for infant feeding by boiling the whole seed (Fazli and Hardman, 1968),
in North Africa it is mixed with breadstuff (Manniche, 1989); in Egypt also the seeds of the
fenugreek are added to bread as a supplement of wheat and maize (Hidvegi et al., 1984). In
Yemen it is widely used everyday by the general population. Fenugreek was considered a warming herb and poor people used it to gain weight, probably because of the high fat content of the
seed (Manniche, 1989). Harem women were said to consume roasted fenugreek seeds to attain
buxomness (Duke, 1986), while William and Thomson (1978) report that the seeds cause an
alluring enhancement and roundness of the breast. Sprouting seeds are used as vegetables
(Stuart, 1986).
Spice
As a spice, fenugreek seeds add nutritive value to food, as well as flavouring and are used in
soups and curries (Duke, 1986). In the UK and the US it is used in the manufacture of chutneys
and various spice blends, for example, in some curry powders (Rosengarten, 1969). Fenugreek
seed is commonly used for seasoning purposes and as an ingredient of curry powder and sauces
(Fazli and Hardman, 1968). In Greece and Turkey with seed powder and beef, it is used to make
the bacon ‘pastrumas’ (Petropoulos, 1973; Dalianis, 1987), while in the Middle East with fenugreek seed powder and other ingredients the confectionery ‘halva’ is made (Stuart, 1986).
Repellent–flavouring–perfume
Fenugreek, as most of the species of the genus Trigonella, is strongly scented (Anonymous, 1994)
and serves as an insect repellent (Duke, 1986). Chopra et al. (1965) report that in the Punjab
district of Pakistan they mix the dry plant of fenugreek with grains in order to protect them
from attacks of insects, particularly during the rainy season. In Turkey fenugreek seed is
placed between cloths to repel cloth moths, while Evans (1989) reports that leaf extracts repels
numerous common insects.
The main use of the imported quantities of fenugreek seeds from countries of Europe and
America is the extraction of a flavour liquid (Smith, 1982). This flavour extract in the USA and
Canada is used mainly as an artificial imitation of maple syrups, in tobacco flavours and some
spice seasonings, while in Europe (UK, Germany, Netherlands, Belgium, etc.) its main use is in
© 2002 Georgios A. Petropoulos
Cultivation
65
animal feed flavours and secondarily in food flavours (Bread, cheese, tea, pizza, etc.) (Smith,
1982).
The seeds of the fenugreek are well known for their pungent aromatic properties (Max, 1992).
The aroma of the fenugreek volatile oil is strong, sweetish, pleasantly bitter and reminiscent of
burnt sugar (Anonymous, 1982) and it also possesses a strong smell of goats (Schauenberg and
Paris, 1990), while its main constituent is the 3-hydroxy-4.5-dimethyl-2(5H)-furanone
(Girardon et al., 1986). Its aroma may in fact be the secret of a very successful french perfume
(Igolen, 1936; Fazli and Hardman, 1968).
There is a contradiction regarding the origin of the peculiar smell of fenugreek that causes the
tainting of animal products. So, according to Marques de Armeida (1940) it is due to alkaloid
trigonelline, while Molfino (1947) supports that the contained coumarin is responsible for this
peculiar smell.
Dyeing
The fenugreek seed contains a yellow dye that is used for dyeing cloth and could be used for
other colouring purposes, including possibly food and pharmaceutical products. This dye, when
mixed with copper sulphate, produces a fine permanent green (Fazli and Hardman, 1968). The
same workers report the use of fenugreek in the preparation of imitation carmine.
Remedy
Fenugreek seeds have been known and valued as medicinal material from very early times.
Fenugreek was widely cultivated as a drug plant (semen foenugraeci) until the nineteenth century.
The mucilaginous seeds are reputed to have many medicinal virtues, as a tonic, emollient, carminative, demulcent, diuretic, astringent emmenagogue, expectorant, restorative, aphrodisiac and
vermifugal properties and were used to cure mouth ulcers, chapped lips and stomach irritation
(Duke, 1986). When soaked in water, the seeds swell and produce a soothing mucilage said to
aid digestion (Fazli and Hardman, 1968; Rosengarten, 1969). The decoction is given to
strengthen those suffering from tuberculosis or recovering from an illness (Lust, 1986). Also the
decoction is used for gargling for sore throat and internal inflammation of the stomach,
intestines and ganglia (Schauenberg and Paris, 1990). Crushed seeds with powdered charcoal are
used to make a hot mushy for external use in cataplasms, ointments and plasters, applied to
bruises, swellings, boils and ulcers (Potterton, 1983; Bunney, 1984), like the swelling of testicles (Reger, 1993). As the seeds contain up to 50 per cent of mucilaginous fibre they have been
used internally because of their ability to swell and relieve constipation and diarrhoea (Evans,
1989; Sharma et al., 1996). A poultice of seeds is used for gouty pains (Sharma et al., 1996), neuralgia, sciatica, swollen glands, wounds, furncless, fistulas, tumours, sores, skin irritation,
abscesses and carbuncles (Potterton, 1983). Fazli and Hardman (1968) report that a decoction of
the seed is taken in East Africa as a remedy for gonorrhoea, a former use in European medicine
and a poultice of seeds as a local remedy for vermin. In Malaya, they poultice the seeds onto
burns and use them for chronic coughs, dropsy, hepatomegaly and splenomegaly (Duke, 1986;
Bhatti et al., 1996; Sharma et al., 1996). The Chinese use the seed for abdominal pain, chilblains,
cholechystosis, fever, hernia, impotence, hypogastrosis, nephrosis and rheumatism (Duke,
1986). Fenugreek tea is mucilaginous, nutritious, and soothing to the intestinal canal
(Potterton, 1983). Fenugreek also has been reported as a lactogogue and a spermicidal (Duke,
1986). Externally cooked seeds with water into a porridge, can be used as hot compresses on
boils and abscesses in a similar manner to the usage of linseed (Fluck, 1988). As a coarsely
© 2002 Georgios A. Petropoulos
66
Georgios A. Petropoulos
ground powder the seeds make a soothing, quietening and convalescent drink (Ceres, 1984).
Aqueous and alcoholic extracts have been reported to have a stimulating effect on the isolated
guinea pig uterus, especially during the last period of pregnancy, indicating that those extracts
may have a high oxytocic activity (Leung, 1980). It has been renowned for expelling poisons and
unwanted materials from the human body (Howard, 1987). In India the seeds are used to form
the base of a medicinal confection called ‘Luddoo’ (Rouk and Mangesha, 1963). One report in
Java indicates that the seeds were used to prevent baldness but it is not clear as to the nature of
the treatment, whether one should eat the seeds or wear them as poultice (Leung, 1980).
Externally, the seeds are an emollient and accelerate the healing of suppurations and inflammations (Fluck, 1988).
Aqueous extracts of seeds in Pakistan showed antibacterial activity against a series of bacteria
(Bhatti et al., 1996). In veterinary medicine the seeds are used to increase milk production
(Bunney, 1984). In Greece and elsewhere in recent times the decoction of the seed is taken as
a remedy for diabetes (Evans, 1989; Khosla et al., 1995; Sharma et al., 1996), while in Israel
it is used as an oral insulin substitute (Oliver-Bever, 1986). As the fenugreek seed contains very
little starch and the polysaccharides are present in the form of silicon-phosphoric ester of
Table 4.8 Recapitulation of the reported therapeutical properties of fenugreek
No.
Therapeutical and
pharmacological
properties and activities
References
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
Antibacteric
Antidiabetic
Antihelminthic
Antidiarrhoeal
Antihepercholestrolaimic
Antipyretic
Antitumour
Aphrodisiac
Astringent
Carminative
Convalescent
Coughing (ease)
Demulcent
Digestive
Diuretic
Emmenagoque
Emollient
Expectorant
Galactagoque
Hypocholesterolaemic
Hypoglycaemic
Insulin substitute
Ionic neutral
Oxytocic
Restorative
Spermicidal
Stomachic
Suppurative
Tonic
Vermifugal
Bhatti et al., 1996
Evans, 1989; Khosla et al., 1995; Sharma et al., 1996
Fazli and Hardman, 1968
Fazli and Hardman, 1968
Vallette et al., 1984; Oliver-Bever, 1986; Sharma et al., 1991
Duke, 1986
Singhal et al., 1982; Evans, 1989
Fazli and Hardman, 1968; Duke, 1986
Duke, 1986
Duke, 1986
Ceres, 1984
Duke, 1986; Bhatti et al., 1986; Sharma et al., 1996
Duke, 1986
Fazli and Hardman, 1968; Rosengarten, 1969
Duke, 1986
Duke, 1986
Duke, 1986; Fluck, 1988
Duke, 1986; Howard, 1987
Bunney, 1984; Duke, 1986
Vallette et al., 1984; Sharma and Ragharam, 1991
Khosla et al., 1985
Oliver-Bever, 1986
Duke, 1986
Leung, 1980
Duke, 1986
Duke, 1986
Duke, 1986; Schauenberg and Paris, 1990
Fluck, 1988
Fazli and Hardman, 1968; Duke, 1986
Duke, 1986
© 2002 Georgios A. Petropoulos
Table 4.9 Human and animal diseases or disorders that have been reported as cured by using
fenugreek, as a remedy
No.
Reported as cured
diseases or disorders
References
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
31
32
33
34
35
36
37
38
39
40
41
42
43
44
45
46
47
48
49
50
Abdominal pain
Absesses
Baldness
Boils
Bruises
Carbuncles
Chilblains
Chapped lips
Cholecystosis
Chronic cough
Constipation
Convalescence
Diabetes
Diarrhoea
Dropsy
Dyspepsia
Fibromas
Fever
Fistulas
Furunculosis
Gaglia
Glands
Gonorrhoea
Gouty pains
Hepatomegaly
Hernia
Hypercholesterolaemia
Hypogastrosis
Impotence
Inflamations
Intestines
Mouth ulcers
Nephrosis
Neuralgia
Recovering from an illness
Rheumatism
Scatica
Skin irritation
Sores
Splenomegaly
Stomach irritation
Suppurations
Swellings
Throat sore
Tuberculosis
Tumours
Ulcers
Uterus
Vermin
Wounds
Duke, 1986
Potterton, 1983; Fluck, 1988
Leung, 1980
Potterton, 1983; Bunney, 1984; Fluck, 1988
Potterton, 1983; Bunney, 1984
Potterton, 1983
Duke, 1986
Duke, 1986
Duke, 1986
Duke, 1986; Bhatti et al., 1996; Sharma et al., 1996
Evans, 1989; Sharma et al., 1991
Ceres, 1984
Evans, 1989
Evans, 1989; Sharma et al., 1996
Duke, 1986; Bhatti et al., 1996; Sharma et al., 1996
Duke, 1986; Sharma et al., 1996
Singhal et al., 1982; Evans, 1989
Duke, 1986
Potterton, 1983
Potterton, 1983
Schauenberg and Paris, 1990
Potterton, 1983
Fazli and Hardman, 1968
Sharma et al., 1996
Duke, 1986; Bhatti et al., 1996; Sharma et al., 1996
Duke, 1986
Vallette et al., 1984; Oliver-Bever, 1986
Duke, 1986
Duke, 1986
Fluck, 1988
Potterton, 1983; Schauenberg and Paris, 1990
Duke, 1986
Duke, 1986
Potterton, 1983
Lust, 1986
Duke, 1986
Potterton, 1983
Potterton, 1983
Potterton, 1983
Duke, 1986; Bhatti et al., 1996; Sharma et al., 1996
Duke, 1986; Schauenberg and Paris, 1990
Fluck, 1988
Potterton, 1983; Bunney, 1984
Schauenberg and Paris, 1990
Lust, 1986
Potterton, 1983
Potterton, 1983; Bunney, 1984
Leung, 1980
Fazli and Hardman, 1968
Potterton, 1983
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Georgios A. Petropoulos
manogalactan, which is not hydrolysed by ptyalin or pancreatic amylase (Kamel, 1932) and it
may be related with anti-diabetic activity. Fenugreek seeds possess hypocholesterolaemic effects
as it reduces serum cholesterol in animals under laboratory conditions (Valette et al., 1984;
Oliver-Bever, 1986; Evans, 1989; Sharma et al., 1991). A French patent has been granted to a
product purported to have anti-tumour activity, especially against ‘fibromas’ (Singhal et al.,
1982; Evans, 1989). Also, crushed leaves are taken internally for dyspepsia (Duke, 1986; Sharma
et al., 1996).
The recapitulation of the therapeutical properties of fenugreek are presented in Table 4.8,
while the human and mainly animal diseases that have been cured by using, are listed in
Table 4.9.
Industrial material
Fenugreek as a chemurgic crop has a wide use for industrial purposes. Its seeds are considered to
be of commercial interest as a source of a steroid diosgenin, which is of importance to the pharmaceutical industry as a starting material in the partial synthesis of corticosteroids, sex hormones and oral contraceptives (Fazli and Hardman, 1968; Hardman, 1969; Khanna et al., 1975;
Kiselev et al., 1980).
After diosgenin extraction a series of side-products like protein, fixed oils, oleoresin
(coumarin, mucilage, gums) might be extracted (Duke, 1986). These by-product residues may
be used for organic (biomass, fuels, manure) and inorganic (chemical fertilisers as fenugreek
seeds are rich in N and potassium) purposes.
The husk of the seed may be removed for its mucilage with the remainder partitioned into oil,
sapogenin and protein rich fractions (Duke, 1986), while the oil can be used in food and soap
industries and also as a galactogogue (Fazli and Hardman, 1968).
Seed polysaccharide mucilage (galactomannan), about 25 per cent, could be prepared from the
mark left after the extraction of fixed oils (used as a lactagogue). Its relatively high viscosity
makes it a good emulsifying agent to be used in the pharmaceutical and food industries. Due to
its neutral ionic properties it is comparable with other drugs or compounds sensitive to acids
(Duke, 1986). Efforts have been made to identify the mechanisms of fenugreek galactomannan
biosynthesis (during seed development) and hydrolysis (during germination) in order to produce
transformed fenugreek plants in the future, where the ratio Gal./Man. from 1/1 (to T. erata is
1/1.6) (Reid and Meier, 1970), to be appropriate one-third or one-fourth for a wide industrial
use. This includes pharmaceutical, textile, printing and painting industries and it may find
applications in industries where starch, agar, tragacanth, acacia, carob, pectin or gelatine are at
present used (Fazli and Hardman, 1968).
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© 2002 Georgios A. Petropoulos
5
Breeding
Georgios A. Petropoulos
General
Fenugreek is grown under a wide range of soil and climatic conditions, in many countries
of Europe, Asia, Africa, Australia and America. Its wide diversity makes any improvement
a dynamic challenge.
For any crop species the nature of genetic variation, its reproductive behaviour, adaptation to
different environments, the mode of inheritance of some morphological characters and usage
have a bearing on the objectives and methods chosen for its genetic improvement. In addition to
knowing about fenugreek phenology and reproductive system, breeders also need to be aware of
its origin, existing genetic variability in the species and its wild relatives.
Fenugreek is botanically a short living (4–7 months) annual crop. Sinskaya (1961), based
on the growing period, morphological characters and habits, classified fenugreek into series,
subseries and ecotypes and into five groups: very early (80–85) days, early (80–90) days, midearly, late (90–100/115) days and very late (120–140) days. Serpukhova (1934) classified the
fenugreek seeds according to their shape, size and colour and distinguished three groups with
six varieties in the case of one of them, while Furry (1950) also divides fenugreek according to
seeds into six types (races) with names of their main habits. Serpukhova (1934) on the basis
of N.I. Vavilev’s collection of fenugreek in Yemen and Abyssinia, divided fenugreek into two
subspecies, iemensis and culta, according to their morphological characters and the vegetation
period.
As we shall see in the section on selfing and crossing, the plant is self-pollinated, but there are
opportunities for natural out crossing. The inherent variation in fenugreek is quite immense and
so it is grown today in the wide range of climatic conditions of all continents.
Fenugreek according to Darlington and Wylie (1945) has 2n ⫽ 16 chromosomes, while Joshi
and Raghuvanshi (1968) have investigated the presence of B-chromosomes. Singh and Singh
(1976) isolated five double trisomics along with primary trisomics from the progenies of
autotriploids, which had 2n ⫹1⫹1⫽18 chromosomes.
The diploid nature of the normal fenugreek genetic structure is a guarantee of simplicity
and existing relative experience, as diploid genetics has been evaluated extensively. So, an
impressive body of information has accumulated on the theory of segregation inbreeding, selection and the genetic variances of diploids. This information is the genetic foundation for
the breeding theory of fenugreek, in such a manner that the practical application of its breeding
succeeds. Breeders have produced a large number of varieties and mutants that are characterised
by productivity, vigorous growth, chemical and structural composition. The demand for fenugreek varieties, mainly with a higher diosgenin content, prompted more directed breeding
efforts.
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Georgios A. Petropoulos
Origin
Sinskaya (1961) reports that the direct wild ancestor of cultivated fenugreek belonging to
the species Trigonella foenum-graecum L. has not been exactly determined, and the existence of
these wild forms (that have not escaped from cultivation) is problematic. Many authors maintain
that the direct ancestor of cultivated fenugreek is the wild T. gladiata Ste. that differs from
T. foenum-graecum in respect of the entire aggregate of characters, of which seed tuberculation
and the small size of the pods are only the most striking. It is possible that the species T. foenumgraecum evolved from T. gladiata, which had possibly given rise to some new extinct forms of
T. foenum-graecum.
Fenugreek is an ancient crop plant. De Candolle (1964) and Fazli and Hardman (1968)
notice that fenugreek grows wild in Punjab and Kashmir, in the deserts of Mesopotamia
and Persia, in Asia Minor and in some countries in Southern Europe such as Greece, Italy and
Spain. De Candolle (1964) believes that the origin of fenugreek should be Asia rather than
Southern Europe, because if a plant of fenugreek nature was indigenous in Southern Europe it
would be far more common and not be missing in the insular floras of Sicily, Ischia and the
Balearic Isles.
Serpukhova (1934) and some other authors do not fail to note that the species has probably
escaped from cultivation.
Selfing and crossing
Self-pollination requires tripping the flower without introducing foreign pollen, while
cross-pollination is the transmission of foreign pollen on the stigma. It is well known
that for flowering plants, like fenugreek, the relative length of the stamens and pistil, the
time of the anther maturing, the time of the pollen’s ripening, the possibility of tripping by
insects and other environmental factors such as wind, rain, heat and cold and the presence or
absence of self-incompatibility and self-sterility or male sterility are the chief factors that determine what is going to occur, and give rise to self- or cross-pollination and fertilization. Allard
(1960) and Darlington and Wylie (1945) have classified the plants as self- and cross-pollinated,
while Del’ Gaudio (1952; 1953) has studied the physiology of the fenugreek flower and has
investigated its self-fertility.
The conclusion drawn from our relative experiments, observations and experience about the
selfing and crossing of fenugreek can be summarised as follows:
1
2
After the half part of the second stage of the cleistogamous flower development, the pistil is
shorter than the stamens. This to a considerable extent enables the free deposition of pollen
on the stigma inside the flower (Figure 5.1) and as there is no reported phenomena of selfincompatibility, self-sterility or male sterility, self-pollination and fertilization takes place.
The closed form of the flower, especially of the keel, is a natural obstacle to insects from
reaching the stigma of the cleistogamy type of fenugreek flower. However, if during some
openings of the standard and wings, which normally occur some hours daily, an insect
depresses the keel then the stamens and the stigma are made to protrude. But since the
stigma is shorter than the stamens it touches the already opened anthers and the stigma is
dusted by their pollen, before the lower surface of the insect touches the stigma, and still
self-pollination occurs. Cross-pollination can take place only if the last fact takes place at
the beginning of the second stage of flower development when either the stamens are lower
than the stigma or the anthers are still closed, while the stigma is receptive and at this time
cross-pollination could take place.
© 2002 Georgios A. Petropoulos
Breeding
75
1 cm
Figure 5.1 The lower position of the pistil in comparison to the stamens, after the half part of the
second stage of a cleistogamous flower of fenugreek, that enables the free deposition of
pollen on the stigma, favouring self-pollination.
3
4
5
6
7
Visits by insects help self-pollination, because of the pressure on the keel and of course on
the anthers, which are in touch with the keel to complete the deposition of the pollen on the
stigma, inside the flower.
We believe that the main opportunities for natural cross-pollination of fenugreek are first
via the ‘aneictogamy’ (open) type of flowers, especially when these are in the early stages of
their development, and second the exception of the above (2) case.
The fraction of fenugreek cross-pollination has been estimated at 0.27 per cent
(Petropoulos, 1973), but as the number of experimental plants were comparatively small
more research is needed to confirm this fraction. Woodworth (1922) by alternating plants of
different varieties of soybean concluded that the corresponding fraction for the soybean
plant was 0.16 per cent.
According to Allard (1960) legumes are described as cross-pollinated crops, when
frequently more than 10 per cent are out-crossed. On this basis fenugreek could be
described as a rarely cross-pollinated plant.
More study is needed to fully understand the role of the ‘open’ flowers of fenugreek and the
daily opening for some hours of the standard and corolla’s wings.
Breeding objectives
The aim of a plant breeder is to develop improved varieties with increased yield and an acceptable grain quality and stability. This is the major breeding objective for fenugreek, as recently
© 2002 Georgios A. Petropoulos
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Georgios A. Petropoulos
reported by Edison (1995) in countries such as India. Stability in production is sought by incorporating resistance or tolerance to biotic and abiotic stresses, although fenugreek has been
reported tolerant to diseases, insects, drought, high pH, poor soils and salt (Duke, 1986).
Fenugreek is grown for multiple uses (Hardman, 1978) and breeding programmes need to be
concerned with the suitability of the product according to its existing uses, such as high diosgenin content of seed for steroidal industry, high protein content for human and animal feeding,
high mucilage (galactomannan) content with appropriate ratio of Gal./Man. for industrial uses
and as the case may be for fixed oils, aromatic and spicy substances, as well as pharmaceutical
constituents etc.
The proper maturity, no shattering of seed, high harvest index, more determinate growth
habit and suitability for mechanisation, creation of genotype without the peculiar smell that
taints the meat, milk and their derivatives, for its unlimited use as forage, are some of the other
breeding objectives. According to Dachler and Pelzmann (1989) the criteria for the creation of
an improved variety of fenugreek should be (i) resistance of pods to shattering, (ii) wide adaptability and (iii) uniform growth.
Not all of the above issues can be tackled simultaneously, some will not be pursued until
advances in screening techniques are made and genetic variation studied further.
Genetic variation
Although Fenugreek grows well in temperate climates and the majority of the world cultivated
with fenugreek is concentrated in certain countries (India, Morocco, Egypt, Ethiopia etc.), fenugreek is cultivated in most countries of all the continents for a variety of uses (food, spice, condiment, pot herb, dyeing, flavouring, perfume, mucilage, medicine etc.). It is obvious therefore
that manual and natural selection has resulted in the development of plant and grain types that
suitable for different uses, environments and cropping systems. So, the collaboration on an international basis for collection, evaluation, preservation and utilisation of the fenugreek germplasm
is evident to all. The fact that fenugreek is diploid and self-pollinated are two factors that favour
this purpose.
Edison (1995) realises that in India there is a lack of adequate genetic variability with the
existing varieties and cultivars. For this reason he suggests the import/exchange of valuable
germplasm, as well as promising varieties from the Mediterranean region to overcome the yield
barrier and also for the production and distribution of quality planting material.
Breeding methods
In actual practice three methods namely selection, hybridisation and mutation used separately or
in combination, may be involved in the development of an improved variety of fenugreek.
Selection
Selection is a simple but very important method of improving plants, as it is a basic process in
plant breeding. This consists of selecting the outstanding types and discarding those that are
undesirable because of certain characteristics. This method is more suitable for the improvement
of fenugreek, which possesses a diploid genetic structure, and as Busbice et al. (1975) concluded
under comparable assumptions the response to selection would be more rapid in diploid populations. Marques de Almeida (1940) investigated a new selection method for the isolation of
genotypes of fenugreek, which are alkaloid-poor.
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Improvement by selection method is not possible, unless the qualities of the superior
types of plants can be readily detected and as it is known, differences in appearance between
plants are often small and hard to detect. So, keen observation based on experience and scientific
knowledge are necessary in selecting the most desirable ones.
The investigation of suitable morphological and physiological characters as an index of
selection for different inherited traits of fenugreek should provide a reliable basis to predict the
performance of their progenies, and could simplify relative breeding programmes. So, knowledge about the way of inheritance of ten morphological characters of fenugreek, which are presented in Table 5.1, was studied among the F2 generation plants of three crosses in order to find
indexes of selection (Petropoulos, 1973) for some specific traits.
The first six characters of Table 5.1 appear to be inherited together, thus the allelomorphic
genes that control them should be in the same pair of chromosomes and have a linkage. The
fact that there are separate genes for these six characters has been confirmed in the field among
the plants of different cultivars and populations. The linkage phenotype with the presence of
the above characters has been called ‘colorata’, and it is completely dominant to the phenotype
without these characters that has been called ‘pallida’ and with segregation ratios of
3 : 1 (Petropoulos, 1973; Cornish et al., 1983). Four of the above characters are presented
in Figure 5.2. The phenotype with solitary pods is also completely dominant to the phenotype
with twin pods, while the phenotypes with narrow pods, large seeds and rectangular seeds
are completely dominant to the corresponding phenotypes with wide pods, small seeds and
round seeds.
Two procedures are commonly used for the process of selection to develop improved varieties
of fenugreek: the individual or simple plant selection and the mass selection.
Individual or simple plant selection
This procedure also called pedigree and pure line selection is more effective in the case of selfpollinated plants like fenugreek, for which there is no evidence of inbreeding depression. When
this method is applied individual plants of fenugreek, which like all self-pollinated species are
considered normally homogynous and therefore have been selected as superior for certain characteristics according to the breeding objective and the seed from each plant, are planted in a head
row of its own to give a progeny. Comparisons between the different progenies are made and
those with undesirable characteristics are discarded. The superior plants are planted in longer
rod rows and for fenugreek three of them are usually sown. Their plants are carefully observed
Table 5.1 List of ten morphological characters of fenugreek, for which the way of
inheritance has been investigated
No.
Morphological characters
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
Pigment in the seed coat
Bluish spots on the standard
Bluish spots on the keel
Bluish spots on the calyx tube
Bluish spots on the stipules
Anthocyanin on stem and leaves
Number of pods/node near the top
Pod width
Seed size
Seed shape
© 2002 Georgios A. Petropoulos
Remarks
Presence (Colorata-type)
Linkage
Absence (Pallida-type)
Solitary or twin
Narrow or wide
Small or large
Rectangular or round
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Standard
Keel
Calyx tube
Stipules
Subsp. Colorata
Subsp. Pallida
Figure 5.2 Difference in four characters between colorata and pallida type plants of fenugreek.
and the middle row is then harvested and each year the yield compared with those of the
standard varieties, which are grown under the same conditions. A multiplication of the seed follows if the strain proves to be superior to the standard varieties, for distribution to farmers. For
fenugreek this process takes about 8–10 years. Green et al. (1981) observed that pedigree selection has generally been useful in breeding for highly inheritable traits such as seed size, seed
colour, growth habit and seed number per pod.
A great number of improved varieties of fenugreek have arisen by utilising this method
(Del’ Gaudio, 1953; Saleh, 1996).
© 2002 Georgios A. Petropoulos
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Mass selection
Although this method is more suitable and applied to largely cross-pollinated plants, it can also
be applied for the genetic improvement of fenugreek.
This method consists of selecting a fairly large number of individual plants that possess
the desired characteristics to be planted in a row of its own, as in individual plant selection
their seeds are mixed and bulked and sown together. The better individuals are again selected
or the poorer ones discarded at anytime during this procedure. This process of selection
is repeated for a few years until the plants are reasonably uniform in desired characters, according to the breeding objective. This method has helped to develop varieties of fenugreek
with a higher content of diosgenin and other characteristics (Petropoulos, 1973; Saleh,
1996).
Hybridisation
Hybridisation is the crossing of two or more varieties of fenugreek that differ in one or more
characteristics, which differ markedly from the parental plants in order to produce a hybrid.
Various special techniques are used during hybridisation such as chromosome transfer by aneuploids, chromosome addition and substitution and gene transfer by translocation induced by
mutagenesis.
Hybridisation offers high probability for increasing variability for further selection and the
greatest possibilities for improvement of fenugreek. The parents for hybridisation should be
chosen to comply with the breeding objectives and the special attributes of the lines and generally to provide planned genetic variability for subsequent selection. A special technique consisting of dialled or line tester mating schemes should be used to determine the combining ability
of the varieties, that are going to be crossed.
Fenugreek is not inbred before it is crossed as it is naturally inbreeding. In fenugreek, crosses
are normally made by hand, emasculation and pollination. It was found that the emasculation of
its flower should be done at the end of the first stage of its development (see Chapter 4) in order
to avoid selfing completely, especially for critical genetic studies. In this stage the stigma of the
pistil is beginning to be receptive while the anthers of the stamens are closed and lower than the
stigma. A technique of fenugreek flower emasculation is given by Cornish et al. (1983): after the
pollination is made a bag is placed over the flower to eliminate the chance of uncontrolled crosspollination. Successful hybridisation is generally influenced by weather conditions, particularly
temperature, humidity and sunshine. After a cross has been made the progenies are grown in
special plantings and the process of selection and testing are applied.
Hybridisation is a complex and time consuming process and usually hundreds of crosses must
be made before an individual is found that possesses the combination of characteristics desired,
but it is a method commonly used in the genetic improvement of all important seed-bearing
plants and of course for fenugreek, too. By this method a great number of improved fenugreek
varieties have been developed. (Petropoulos, 1973; Cornish et al., 1983; Edison, 1995; Saleh,
1996).
Mutation
Plant breeding is a controlled evolution and mutation is one of the three major factors, the other
two are selection and recombination. The mutation technique can be used more often in
conjunction with the other breeding methods.
© 2002 Georgios A. Petropoulos
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Georgios A. Petropoulos
The result or offspring of a mutation that is called mutant can be utilised in various ways
in plant breeding and in the case of self-pollinated species, like fenugreek, is used either
immediately as a mutant, offering the greatest advantages, or in cross breeding.
Spontaneous and induced mutation can be distinguished. Spontaneous mutation is produced
mainly by cosmic radiation and is the main factor of natural evolution ultimately responsible for
all variability in living things. Several mutants of fenugreek from spontaneous mutations have
been isolated and today are in use all over the world (Petropoulos, 1973; Singh and Singh, 1974;
Laxmi et al., 1980; Laxmi and Datta, 1987). The interest in induction of mutations in plant
breeding has increased considerably all over the world in the last thirty years (Dubinin, 1961;
Anonymous, 1961; Manha et al., 1994).
For diploid plants, like fenugreek, the majority of the induced mutations are recessive and
segregate in a 3 : 1 ratio (Gaul, 1961; Petropoulos, 1973; Singh and Singh, 1974). For the induction of mutations in fenugreek and other plants, ionising radiations and different chemical
mutagens are used, while genetic engineering, which is a recent biotechnological speculation,
concerning the potential impact of new technique in cell and molecular biology on plant
improvement, could also be used.
Ionising irradiation, which includes electromagnetic radiation (x- and gamma rays) and the
so-called particulate radiation (alpha, beta, protons, etc.), is used to artificially increase the rate
of spontaneous mutations.
The effects of ionising radiations are on nuclei, chromosome (breakage and aberration)
and genes. In practical breeding work, selection of mutants can start in the M1 generation, but
are commonly done in the M2 generation and should be continued in the M3 and following
generations.
In an effort to induce mutations in fenugreek two methods were applied: gamma-irradiation
of isotope Cobalt-60 as chronic rays in an open irradiated field, and acute rays on the dry seeds
(Petropoulos, 1973). A 26 m diameter open field at Bath University with a source of Cobalt-60
in the centre, which held 165 millirads/hour, was used. A special mechanism was operated to
raise the source (see Figure 5.3) or to lower it into its protective lead shield (see Figure 5.4) during visits to the experimental area. The seeds were sown in twelve orbit rows each being at a distance of 1 m apart (see Figure 5.5). The amount of irradiation received by fenugreek plants is
presented in Figure 5.6, while the corresponding irradiation received by its reproductive organs
is presented in Figure 5.7. Although the source proved quite low, interest was concentrated on
the seeds of the first and less on those of the second row plants, where some promising mutants,
which are described in the following sections, were isolated.
Acute gamma ray application on the dry seeds was used to investigate the relative sensitivity
of fenugreek. For four cultivars the ‘critical dose’ in which about 40 per cent of the plants survive
was found to be: Fluorescent 140–145 Kr, Ethiopian 135–140 Kr, Kenyan 110–120 Kr and
Moroccan 140–145 Kr. A delay in flowering (Figure 5.8) and a decrease of height (Figures 5.9
and 5.10) and seed yield (Figure 5.11) were found. The main reason for the marked depression
in plant growth appeared to be the reduction in root length (see Figure 5.12). It was found that,
in order to produce useful fenugreek mutants, the applied dose should be much lower
(50–60 Kr), and some promising mutants, which are described in the following sections, are isolated (Petropoulos, 1973).
The chemical mutagens belong to different groups and very little is known about the action of
most of them (Auerbach, 1961). A lot of fenugreek mutants have been isolated by the treatment
of dry seeds with different chemical mutagens (Laxmi et al., 1980; Singh and Raghuvanshi,
1980; Laxmi and Datta, 1987; Jain and Agrawal, 1987), while shoot apexes of fenugreek treated
by colchicine produced tetraploid plants with promising economic characteristics (Roy and
© 2002 Georgios A. Petropoulos
Figure 5.3 A radiation device (installation) with the special raising mechanism for irradiating the
source, in operation.
Figure 5.4 The same device with the special mechanism to lower the source into its protective lead
shield, during visits to the experimental area.
© 2002 Georgios A. Petropoulos
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Georgios A. Petropoulos
Figure 5.5 Orbitic sowing of the field irradiation area 1 m apart.
Singh, 1968). The effect of mutagens on tissue cultures of fenugreek with UV-irradiation and
methyl methane sulphonate, increased steroidal sapogenin about two- to three-fold ( Jain and
Agrawal, 1994).
Breeding for higher yield
Increased yield with acceptable seed quality and stability is determined by a complex interaction
between its genetic makeup and environmental (biotic and abiotic) factors. In the genetic factors
are included the production of a higher number of pods with more and larger seeds, the proper
precocity, the uniform maturity, the resistance to lodging, the less shattering of pods and scattering of seeds, etc. Biotic stresses include diseases, pests and weeds, while abiotic limitations
mainly include temperature, moisture and wind.
Improved stability and performance are obtained from varieties that incorporate resistance/
or tolerance to the above stresses, although fenugreek generally tolerant to most of these
biotic and abiotic stresses and eliminations (Sinskaya, 1961; Fazli and Hardman, 1968; Duke,
1986).
Traditional yields have been measured in terms of dried seeds (11 per cent moisture) per acre
and per year. As Edison (1995) reports, in India, among the efforts to increase productivity of
spices is the evolution of high yielding varieties with greater stability. It must be emphasized that
there is a negative correlation between yield and quality, in general.
Del’ Gaudio (1953) by selecting a single fenugreek plant with a short winged flower,
created the very productive cultivar ‘Ali Corte.’
© 2002 Georgios A. Petropoulos
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400
350
300
Radiation (r)
250
200
150
100
50
0
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
Rows
8
9
10
11 12
Figure 5.6 Amount of irradiation received by the fenugreek plants according to their distance from
the center of the source.
Using the rich collection of fenugreek at the University of Bath, England, (Petropoulos,
1973) the following productive and promising hybrid and mutant genotypes have been isolated:
1
2
3
The genotypes RH 3109/32, RH 3110/37, RH 3105/15 and 3111/8, which are products of
crosses between the cultivars Fluorescent and Kenyan, gave seed yields of more than
two-fold over the average of those from the best parents.
The mutant RH 3112 from induced mutation in the open field of irradiation from the
Kenyan cultivar, gave a seed yield of almost double that of the mother cultivar.
The selected line RH 3128 from the Kenyan cultivar gave a seed yield that was more than
double of the corresponding yield from the mother cultivar.
Breeding for a superior quality of yield
General
The contribution of plant breeding to the creation of improved varieties of superior quality seed
is well documented. The quality of fenugreek seed affects its value, ultimate use, how it is
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Georgios A. Petropoulos
20
18
16
14
Radiation (r)
12
10
8
6
4
2
0
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
Rows
8
9
10
11 12
Figure 5.7 Amount of irradiation received by the reproductive organs of the fenugreek plants, according to their distance from the center of the source.
processed and further affects the humans or livestock consuming the seed. The term quality is
difficult to define because the grower, the processor and the ultimate user have different criteria
for determining quality. The quality of seed definition in establishing grades and prices is based
on colour of seeds, freedom from diseases and pests, low percentage of shrivellent seeds and high
percentage content of the active constituents (diosgenin, protein, mucilage, medicinal, spicy,
etc.). This is without estimating the influence of post harvest treatments like extraneous matter
and impurities, proper moisture content, etc. Breeders need better definitions of inheritable
characteristics contributing to quality, as well as better techniques for their measurements in
segregating populations. The quality obtained in the mature fenugreek seed is a result of both
the genetic make-up of the plant and the environment in which it grew.
© 2002 Georgios A. Petropoulos
Breeding
65.0
= Fluorescent
LR = 66 Kr
= Ethiopian
MR = 99 Kr
= Kenyan
HR = 132 Kr
85
= Moroccan
= Average
Flowering days
60.0
55.0
50.0
45.0
Control
LR
MR
HR
Irradiation
Figure 5.8 Correlation between seed irradiation dose with acute gamma rays and flowering days of
fenugreek.
The environmental influences can be divided into physical (temperature, wind, precipitation,
soil fertility) and biological (diseases, pests and weeds).
Genetic effects for the improvement of seed quality usually determine importance and effectiveness, because many quality traits of fenugreek are inheritable. These traits are either simple
and controlled by a small number of genes or inherited more complexly, and are difficult to
manipulate in a breeding programme (Collins and Petolino, 1984). The genotype ⫻ environment interaction is usually the reason of the failure of a genotype to perform similarly in
different environments. However the final goal of a fenugreek breeder is the development of a
variety of excellent quality over a wide range of environments (Paroda and Karwasra, 1975).
When genetic variance for a desirable trait in a breeding population is low compared to
non-genetic influence on the trait, selection procedures become more complex, often involving
progeny testing in replicated trials in varying environments (Collins and Petolino, 1984).
The effort of the plant breeder to develop fenugreek varieties like other species, with superior
quality seed for certain special traits could result in commercially unacceptable varieties, unless
© 2002 Georgios A. Petropoulos
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Georgios A. Petropoulos
= Fluorescent
LR = 66 Kr
= Ethiopian
MR = 99 Kr
= Kenyan
HR = 132 Kr
= Moroccan
= Average
15.00
13.00
Plant height (cm)
11.00
9.00
7.00
5.00
3.00
1.00
Control
LR
MR
Radiation
HR
Figure 5.9 Correlation between seed irradiation dose with acute gamma rays and height of fenugreek
plants.
the marketplace will pay a premium for the improved quality to compensate for the probable
lack of an improved yield (Collins and Petolino, 1984).
Several notable achievements have been obtained concerning the development of improved
varieties of fenugreek with superior quality seed such as higher content of diosgenin in the seed,
protein, fixed oils and mucilage.
Breeding for a higher diosgenin content in the seed
The steroidal diosgenin is a monohydroxysapogenin, and it is of importance to the pharmaceutical industry as a starting material in the partial synthesis of corticosteroids, sex hormones and
oral contraceptives.
Hardman (1969) considers the fenugreek seed to be of commercial interest as it is a source of
diosgenin, but its content is relatively low for economical and beneficial exploitation. There are
some possibilities for increasing the diosgenin contained in the seed, either during the growing
© 2002 Georgios A. Petropoulos
Figure 5.10 Reduction in height of fenugreek plants, due to seed irradiation with acute gamma rays.
2.50
= Fluorescent
LR = 66 Kr
= Ethiopian
MR = 99 Kr
= Kenyan
HR = 132 Kr
= Moroccan
= Average
Seed yield (g/plant)
2.00
1.50
1.00
0.50
0
Control
66 Kr
99 Kr
Irradiation
132 Kr
Figure 5.11 Correlation between seed yield and seed irradiation dose with acute gamma rays.
© 2002 Georgios A. Petropoulos
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Georgios A. Petropoulos
Figure 5.12 Reduction in root length of fenugreek plants, due to seed irradiation with acute
gamma rays.
period by using different cultural techniques (Kozlowski et al., 1982; Mohamed, 1983), or
during post harvest treatments by different techniques (enzymes, hormones, etc.) of germination
with incubation (Hardman and Fazli, 1972a,b), different conditions of incubation (Elujoba and
Hardman, 1985a), and fermentation (Elujoba and Hardman, 1985b), by storage (Hardman and
Brain, 1972), by the use of tissue and cell culture (static or suspension) (Khanna and Jain, 1973;
Stevens, 1974; Stevens and Hardman, 1974; Khanna et al., 1975; Hardman and Stevens, 1978;
Trisonthi et al., 1980) and by biological manipulation of the steroidal yield (Hardman and
Brain, 1970). However, the main effort is still the increase of the diosgenin content by genetic
improvement of plant. In the seed, diosgenin is present only in the embryo, but it is absent from
the testa and endosperm (Fazli and Hardman, 1968), it is also in other parts of the plant (stems,
leaves etc.) but their content is very low (Hardman and Fazli, 1969; Varshney et al., 1980).
The demand for fenugreek varieties with a higher diosgenin content in the seed prompted
more directed breeding efforts. The diosgenin content is an inheritable character (Petropoulos,
1973; Cornish et al., 1983) and as a quantitative one should be controlled by more than one gene
(Poehlman, 1979). There are also indications that the diosgenin content of fenugreek depends on
genotypic and geographical differences (Kamal et al., 1987). The F1 generation can be seen as
intermediate, while the F2 shows a wide range of concentrations (Cornish et al., 1983). Also, in
a case of a cross there was no evidence of potency or epistasis in the control of diosgenin content
and the broad inheritability was estimated at around 40 per cent. This indicates a significant
segregation of the genes controlling the diosgenin yield (Cornish et al., 1983). Sufficient genetic
variation exists in the yield of diosgenin from fenugreek seed that permits a plant breeder using
© 2002 Georgios A. Petropoulos
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a suitable breeding method, to select promising lines for increased diosgenin content (Cornish
et al., 1983).
The diosgenin content of the fenugreek seed according to Duke (1986) fluctuated
between wide limits ranging from 1–2 per cent. Sharma and Kamal (1982) reported the
diosgenin content of the seed as 0.33–1.90 per cent from seeds collected from different regions
of India. It must be emphasized that the results about the diosgenin content of fenugreek seed,
which are presented in the related literature are not comparable all the time for different reasons.
First because these have been determined by different analytical methods (infrared spectrometry,
combined column chromatography, thin-layer chromatography, gas and liquid chromatography,
etc.) as have been described by various researchers (Hardman and Jefferies, 1972; Dawidar and
Fayez, 1972; Jefferies and Hardman, 1972; Dixit and Srivastava, 1977) and second these express
dissimilar things, that is, pure diosgenin or the natural mixture of diosgenin plus yamogenin in
the ratio 3 : 2 as commonly found in fenugreek seed (Cornish et al., 1983). Pasich et al. (1983)
have reported this ratio to be 2 : 1.
The development of improved varieties of fenugreek with a higher diosgenin content in the
seed should be obtained at first from the existing populations, cultivated or landraces, using
known breeding methods especially those with the induction of mutations.
Apart from better definitions of inheritable characteristics contributing to the higher diosgenin content, plant breeders need accurate and mainly quicker techniques for their measurements in segregating populations. Since the determination of diosgenin content is, at the
moment laborious, the evaluation of a large number of isolated progenies is very difficult. So, the
investigation of a selection index for a higher diosgenin content of seed based on the morphological characters of the fenugreek plant for a rough detection and isolation of the most promising progenies, is desirable. There are firm indications that there is a linkage of the quantitative
character of diosgenin content with the morphological character of the number of pods per node
near the top of stem, and that high content of diosgenin is inherited together with the formation of
twin pods. So, the phenotype of twin pods in comparison with that of solidary pods is a good
index of selection and should provide a reliable basis to predict the performance of their progenies for a higher diosgenin content of seed, from very early generations. This will simplify
planned research programmes of genetic improvement for this purpose (Petropoulos, 1988). The
index of twin pods could be utilised without any decrease of seed yield, as there is no correlation
between the property of twin pods and seed yield. The superiority of this phenotype was confirmed when it was used as a criterion of mass selection in the case of the creation of Moroccan
and Kenyan cultivars, where the diosgenin content was increased by 23 and 12 per cent respectively (Petropoulos, 1973).
A lot of improved fenugreek varieties, cultivars and promising genotypes, as far as higher
diosgenin content of seed is concerned, have been developed through the utilisation, as the case
may be, of one or more of the known breeding methods (Cornish et al., 1983). From the breeding work at Bath University, England, using a rich collection of fenugreek the following
improved cultivars and promising hybrid progenies and mutants have evolved (Petropoulos,
1973).
1
2
The cultivar Moroccan (RH 2701) with 1.19 per cent diosgenin, that was created by
continuous mass selection of the population RH 2283, which originated from Morocco,
with 0.97 per cent diosgenin (progress 23 per cent).
The cultivar Fluorescent (RH 2602) with 1.38 per cent diosgenin that evolved by spontaneous mutation from the Ethiopian population RH 2475 with 1.18 per cent diosgenin
(progress 17 per cent).
© 2002 Georgios A. Petropoulos
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3
The cultivar Kenyan (RH 2698) with 1.51 per cent diosgenin that was created by continuous
mass selection of the population RH 2591, which originated from Kenya, with 1.35
per cent diosgenin (progress 12 per cent).
The hybrid progeny RH 3109/42 from a cross of Fluorscent ⫻ Kenyan, with 1.83 per cent
diosgenin (progress 21 per cent over the best parent).
The hybrid progeny RH 3110/66 from another cross of Fluorscent ⫻ Kenyan with 1.81 per
cent diosgenin (progress 20 per cent over the best parent).
The mutant RH 3112 induced by gamma rays in an open field irradiation, with 1.78 per
cent diosgenin from the Kenyan cultivar with 1.51 per cent diosgenin (progress 15 per cent
over the mother cultivar).
The spontaneous mutant RH 3129 with a shorter and broader standard of flower and high
proportion of twin pods, with 1.35 per cent diosgenin from the Moroccan cultivar with
1.19 per cent diosgenin (progress 13 per cent).
4
5
6
7
It must be emphasized that in all of the above cases the main criterion of selection or detection was the high proportion of twin pods of the plants, near the top of the stem.
Breeding for higher protein content of seed
The fenugreek seed is quite rich in protein content in comparison with other cereal grains and
legumes (Petropoulos, 1973; Awadala et al., 1980; Ullah, 1982), but the increasing protein deficiency all over the world, justifies every effort for the genetic improvement of fenugreek in this
direction. This will also help in the easier valorisation of the by-products for animal feeding,
after the probable extraction of diosgenin for industrial purposes.
The genetic variability for protein content among a collection of 123 hybrid lines of fenugreek that was varied from 20.4–39.3 per cent have been reported (Petropoulos, 1973), while
Duke (1986) gives an average of 23.2 per cent. Hidvegi et al. (1984) reported a protein content
of 26.4 per cent for their samples.
The protein quality of fenugreek seed, calculated from the amino acid pattern in comparison
with the data for human requirements, approaches that of the soybean (Hidvegi et al., 1984).
The same researchers report that fenugreek protein is rich in lysine, higher than that found in
an ‘average legume’, but it has a relatively low (32 per cent) multienzymatic digestibility and
bitter and anti-nutritive components, mainly because of the sapogenin content. Duke (1986)
reports also that fenugreek protein is rich in lysine, but poor in S-amino acids and tryptophan.
The same author gives the analytical composition of fourteen amino acid values for
fenugreek protein (percentage of protein).
To increase the crude protein content of fenugreek seed, the relationship of several morphological and physiological characters to protein content was investigated (Petropoulos, 1973;
1990), and such relationships for different traits are used for many plants (Olson, 1960; Evans,
1984; Tungland et al., 1987). Evaluation of the phenotypic correlation of a lot of characters of F2
plants, of three crosses, indicated that among these characters four of them namely wide pods,
fluorescent under UV light seeds, large seeds, and ellipsoid (round) in outline seeds, were proved
superior to the corresponding opposite phenotypes: narrow pods, no fluorescent seeds, small
seeds and rectangular in outline seeds, as far as the protein content of seed is concerned.
Regression analysis of this data showed that the simultaneous presence of these four favourable
phenotypic characteristics in the same plant gives the best results for protein content
(Petropoulos, 1990). In these four favourable phenotypes only the large seeds are controlled by
dominant incomplete genes, while the other three are controlled by recessive genes and so bred
true. Also the two phenotypes: fluorescent seeds and wide pods are essential as far as the protein
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content is concerned, as they represent 74 per cent of the total variability for protein, bred true
and are easily detected in the field (Petropoulos, 1990). The superiority of the favourable phenotypes was confirmed when they were used as the criteria of mass selection in three fenugreek
populations, where the protein content has been increased by a positive selection from 11–17
per cent and decreased by negative selection (use of opposite phenotypes) by 10 per cent. A simple explanation of this superiority is that these favourable phenotypes correlate with
a higher g/h index of seeds and it is well known that the protein content of the germ is higher
than that of the husk.
The correlation between the protein content of fenugreek seed and the number of favourable
phenotypic characters in the same plant is linear and follows the equation: y ⫽23.94 ⫹
2.208 x (r ⫽0.9092) (Figure 5.13).
The use of the favourable phenotypes and mainly the simultaneous presence in the same plant
of more than one as an index of selection, provides a reliable basis to predict the performance of
their progenies for higher protein content from very early generations. This will simplify planned
research programmes for genetic improvement in this direction without any decrease of seed
yield, as there is no indication of any relationship between seed yield and protein content in fenugreek (Petropoulos, 1973; 1990) in contrast with other plants, where a negative correlation has
been found (Caldwell et al., 1966). For example in soybean increased grain protein percentage is
commonly associated with reduced grain yield per unit of land area.
The above observations apply on the condition that these results are tested in one and only
one environment for it is known that these phenotypes and the protein contained in other plants
are influenced by environmental conditions (Ries and Everson, 1973). A lot of improved
fenugreek varieties, cultivars and promising genotypes, regarding higher protein content of seed
have been developed using different breeding methods.
At the University of Bath following extensive breeding work using a rich collection of fenugreek samples from all over the world and applying known breeding methods, the following
improved cultivars and promising lines, as far as higher protein content of seed is concerned,
were developed (Petropoulos, 1973):
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
the cultivar Ethiopian (RH 2699) with 32.95 per cent protein, by continuous mass
selection of the population RH 2278, originated from Ethiopia, with 28.06 per cent
protein (progress 17 per cent);
the hybrid progeny RH 3109/39 from a cross of Fluorescent ⫻ Kenyan with 39.29 per cent
protein (progress 27 per cent over the best parent);
the hybrid progeny RH 3110/83 from a cross of Fluorescent ⫻ Kenyan with 36.31 per cent
protein (progress 18 per cent over the best parent);
the hybrid progeny RH 3109/37 from a cross of Fluorescent ⫻ Kenyan with 35.56 per cent
protein (progress 15 per cent over the best parent);
the mutant RH 3112 with 32.29 per cent protein, from induced mutation with
chronic gamma rays in an open irradiation field, from the Kenyan cultivar (progress 34
per cent);
the mutant RH 3118 with 28.42 per cent protein, from induced mutation, also from
Kenyan cultivar (progress 15 per cent);
the mutant RH 3115 with 30.56 per cent protein from induced mutation using acute
gamma rays on dry seeds from Kenyan cultivar (progress 26 per cent).
Breeding for higher fixed oils content of seed
Fenugreek seeds contain c. 8 per cent oil (Petropoulos, 1973; Duke 1986) extracted by either,
but Varshney et al. (1980) report an oil content of 20 per cent. It possesses a strong celery odour
© 2002 Georgios A. Petropoulos
Georgios A. Petropoulos
Percentage of crude protein content in seed (on dry matter)
92
35.00
y = 23.94 + 2 208x (r = 0.9092)
31.00
27.00
23.00
0
1
2
3
4
Number of favourable phenotypes
Figure 5.13 Correlation between protein content of fenugreek seed and the number of favourable
phenotypes of plant to this direction.
and is used in butterscotch, cheese, licorise, pickle, rum, syrup and vanilla flavours and may be
of interest to the perfume industry (Duke, 1986).
Oil content as quantitative character is a trait in which, as in soybean and other plants,
a number of genes are involved (Brim, 1973). Such characteristics are quantitatively inherited by
considerable environmental influence (Collins and Petolino, 1984).
The proportion of fatty acids in the oil affect oil quality. In fenugreek fixed oils the proportion
of fatty acids to percentage of total acids is: 35.1 per cent oleic, 13.8 per cent linolenic, 9.6 per
cent palmitic, 4.9 per cent stearic, 2.0 per cent arachidic, 0.9 per cent behenic, 33.7 per cent
linoleic (Duke, 1986), while Varshney et al. (1980) report sapon values 202, unsaponifiable matter 0.9 per cent and 30 per cent octadecatrienoic acid. For the fatty acids composition of many
plants, several simply inherited alleles that alter this composition, have been reported (Collins
and Petolino, 1984). The breeding effort for fenugreek should be like that of soybean selection
for high oleic acid and low linolenic acid, as this improves the flavour and stability of the oil
(Collins and Petolino, 1984). The linolenic acid content, as in soybean, exhibited significant
genotype ⫻ environment interaction, therefore the selection for low linolenic acid content
should be done over locations and years (Collins and Petolino, 1984).
Most seed quality characteristics are related to the relative chemical and physical characteristics of the seed and as such many of them are interrelated. For example, in fenugreek and
especially in the cultivar Moroccan (RH 2701) an increase of oil content by 13 per cent resulted
in a corresponding decrease of protein content by 11 per cent, in comparison with the original
population RH 2283, indicating a negative correlation between the oil and protein content in
fenugreek seed.
© 2002 Georgios A. Petropoulos
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93
Although the breeding effort to increase the fixed oils content in fenugreek, as in most
grain crops, is quite difficult as this characteristic tends to be under multigenic control, some
interesting cultivars have been developed in this direction:
1
2
The cultivar Moroccan (RH 2701) with 8.10 per cent fixed oils created by continuous
mass selection, was proved superior in fixed oil content by 13 per cent over the original
population RH 2283, with 7.14 per cent oil (Petropoulos, 1973).
Among mutant plants of fenugreek after induced mutations by chemical mutagens and
gamma rays, some of them were detected for their superiority in oil content over the
control (Laxmi et al., 1980).
Breeding for higher mucilage (content and quality) of seed
The well developed endosperm of the fenugreek is rich in polysaccharide mucilage (galactomannan) that possesses high viscosity and neutral ionic properties (Duke, 1986), which can be used
widely in industry including pharmaceutical, cosmetics, hair preparations, paper products,
paints and plasters. The industrial use of fenugreek galactomannan is limited because of its inappropriate ratio of Gal./Man. which is around 1 : 1, while the appropriate ratio is 1 :3 or 1 :4 (Reid
and Meier, 1970).
The main breeding effort should be toward the creation of improved fenugreek varieties with
the appropriate Gal./Man. ratio, using a special methodology in which genetic engineering techniques may be included. The identification of the mechanisms of fenugreek galactomannan
biosynthesis during seed development, and galactomannan hydrolysis during germination, may
be of help in this direction.
The genetic variability of fenugreek for mucilage was found to contain 17–22 per cent
(Petropoulos, 1973), while Duke (1986) reports that fenugreek seeds contain 26.3 per cent
mucilaginous material. The effort of a plant breeder to develop fenugreek varieties with higher
mucilage content could result in commercially unacceptable varieties, as an increase in such
characteristics may lead to a reduction of some others, unless the marketplace will pay a premium for the increased mucilage content to counterbalance the probable reduction of some
other characteristics.
It was found that some samples of Indian origin possessed a higher mucilage content of seeds
followed by samples of Ethiopia, while samples from the Mediterranean area were inferior as far
as the mucilage content is concerned (Petropoulos, 1973).
Breeding for resistance to diseases
General
Even though fenugreek is considered to be a disease tolerant crop (Sinskaya, 1961; Duke, 1986),
it often suffers from various diseases, especially under environmental conditions favourable for
the development of corresponding fungi and viruses (Sinskaya, 1961; Gopal and Maggon, 1971;
Raian et al., 1991). The Review of Applied Mycology (Anonymous, 1968) lists a number of fungi
infecting fenugreek.
Plant resistance is the most practical means of controlling most fenugreek diseases, and so the
development of varieties resistant to economically important diseases is a big contribution from
fenugreek breeding programme. The goal of such a fenugreek programme should be the incorporation of resistance to as many important diseases and insects as possible, without disturbing
desirable agronomic traits. Varieties of fenugreek which are resistant to disease provide built-in
insurance for growers, at a very low cost.
© 2002 Georgios A. Petropoulos
94
Georgios A. Petropoulos
The principles of breeding for disease resistance of fenugreek are those used for breeding most
of its other characteristics, except that knowledge of the pathogen, the host and host ⫻ pathogen
interactions, is needed.
Breeding for resistance to specific diseases
The diseases and viruses for which some breeding work or evaluation for incorporation of resistance or tolerance has been carried out are as follows:
Root rot (Rhizoctonia solani). It appears to be the most important root disease of fenugreek
(Prasad and Hiremath, 1985; Raian et al., 1991; Haque and Ghaffar, 1992).
Prasad and Hiremath (1985) reported that among twenty varieties of fenugreek screened for
their resistance against Rhizoctonia solani (colour rot) only TG-18 and UM-20 showed some tolerance, by giving 43.3 and 35.2 per cent seedling stand respectively, a week after sowing, while
none of the varieties tested showed complete resistance.
Leaf spot (Ascochyta sp.). Leaf spot is a serious disease afflicting fenugreek (Anonymous, 1968;
Petropoulos, 1973) like most other legumes (Walker, 1952; Anonymous, 1970). Inheritance of
leaf spot resistance of fenugreek is not fully understood.
Selection of resistance in leaf spot-sick plots was carried out in two locations during experimentation and after continuous evaluation some leaf spot tolerant cultivars and mutants were
isolated (Petropoulos, 1973). So variation in the sensitivity to attack by the fungus Ascochyta sp.
was found among four breeding cultivars as is indicated in Table 5.2. This table shows that the
cultivars Ethiopian and Fluorescent had consistently low disease levels and consequently should
be considered as tolerant to this disease, while the cultivar Moroccan is the most susceptible.
Also, phenotypic selection for leaf spot resistance among different induced mutants resulted in
the isolation of the following resistant ones:
1
2
3
The mutant RH 3113 from induced mutation using chronic gamma rays in an open irradiation field from Moroccan cultivar.
The mutant RH 3118 from induced mutation, like the above, but from Kenyan
cultivar.
The mutant 3122 from induced mutation by seed irradiation with acute gamma rays from
Kenyan cultivar.
Powdery mildew (Oidiopsis sp.) Palti (1959) has described this disease in Israel and considers it
one of the most important diseases of fenugreek, while Rouk and Mangesha (1963) report that
in Ethiopia fenugreek is attacked by powdery mildew, which does considerable damage to the
plants. Petropoulos (1973) reports attacks of this fungus in fenugreek plants in England,
although Agrios (1969) reports that this fungus causes damages in arid and semi-arid environments and is not favoured by wet weather. Inheritance of the powdery mildew resistance of
fenugreek is not fully understood.
Four breeding fenugreek cultivars were evaluated for their susceptibility to powdery mildew
and the results are presented in Table 5.2. According to these results the Fluorescent and the
Ethiopian cultivars were found fairly tolerant to the powdery mildew, while the Moroccan cultivar was proved the most susceptible and this difference appears in Figure 5.14.
Pod Spot (Heterosporium sp.). This disease was described for the first time by Petropoulos
(1973). The inheritance of this new disease in fenugreek has not been studied yet.
The four breeding fenugreek cultivars were evaluated for their susceptibility to the pod spot
and the relevant results are presented in Table 5.2. The Kenyan cultivar was proved tolerant and
© 2002 Georgios A. Petropoulos
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95
Table 5.2 Sensitivity of four breeding cultivars of fenugreek to attacks by three different
pathogens
No.
1
2
3
Diseases
Pod spot (Heterosporium sp.)
Leaf spot (Ascochyta sp.)
Powdery mildew (Oidiopsis sp.)
Sensitivity of cultivars (in angles)
Fluorescent
Ethiopian
Kenyan
Moroccan
5.1*
5.7
2.4
5.2
5.6
2.7
1.7
13.9
13.3
2.5
24.5
29.6
Note
* A high figure indicates that the cultivar shows the character to a high degree.
Figure 5.14 Susceptibility of Moroccan cultivar of fenugreek to attacks by the fungus Oidiopsis sp.
the Moroccan cultivar fairly tolerant, while the Fluorescent and the Ethiopian were found the
most susceptible to the pod spot disease. The fact that both these susceptible cultivars are late in
maturing suggests that their sensitivity is linked to their stay in the tender form for a longer
time. There are indications that the inoculation of the fenugreek seed with Rhizobium meliloti
increases the sensitivity of the plants to attack by the Heterosporium sp.
White mould (Sclerotinia sclerotiorum). White mould is the most important fenugreek disease in
Greece. The inheritance of resistance to white mould in fenugreek is not fully understood.
© 2002 Georgios A. Petropoulos
96
Georgios A. Petropoulos
(a)
(b)
Figure 5.15 Aphid and mechanical transmission of BYMV to fenugreek plants. (a) aphid transmission
(mild symptoms) and (b) mechanical transmission (severe symptoms).
Vaitsis (1985) working on fenugreek breeding isolated a clone resistant to this disease, after
multiplication of seed the released variety named ‘Ionia’ is considered resistant to this fungus
(Anonymous, 1996).
Bean Yellow Mosaic Virus (BYMV). There are strong indications that a common gene controls
the resistance of fenugreek to BYMV and this is supported by Schroeder and Providenti (1971)
in the case of Pisum sativum. An experiment was carried out within the facilities of the
Glasshouse Crops Research Institute at Littlehampton (Brunt, 1972) in order to investigate any
resistance to BYMV infection among four breeding cultivars (Fluorescent, Ethiopian, Kenyan,
Moroccan) using the techniques of aphid and mechanical inoculation (transmission) of the virus.
© 2002 Georgios A. Petropoulos
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97
An interaction was found between cultivars and mode of transmission, as far as the severity of
infection is concerned. So, the Fluorescent cultivar showed the mildest symptoms in the case of
the aphid transmission and the most severe in the case of the mechanical one, while the
Moroccan cultivar showed the opposite result.
Totally, the plants infected by mechanical transmission showed more severe symptoms
(dwarfness and chlorosis) than those infected by aphid transmission (Figure 5.15). This is very
favourable, as aphid transmission is the only mode of infection in the field.
The conclusion drawn from this experiment is that in the field the Fluorescent cultivar is
more resistant to BYMV than the other three cultivars, followed by the Ethiopian one, while the
Moroccan cultivar is the most susceptible.
Breeding for special traits
Precocity
Precocity is pursued mainly under adverse (usually wet) climatic conditions in fenugreek cultivation. Inheritance of fenugreek precocity is not fully understood. The criteria of selection for
precocity used in England were the earliness of flowering, the shorter duration of the stage of
pod ripening that is usually more than 25 days and the limited appearance of the property of
indeterminate growth habit (Petropoulos, 1973).
Phenotypic selection and screening for higher precocity among the four breeding cultivars
and mutants induced by different methods, resulted in several promising precocious ones. The
variation in the precocity of the four breeding cultivars is indicated in Table 5.3.
Thus the Moroccan cultivar is the earliest of the four cultivars in the ripening of pods,
followed by the Kenyan and Ethiopian ones, while Fluorescent is the last to achieve maturity
(at least 20 days in comparison with the Moroccan).
Also phenotypic selection and screening among mutant plants induced by chronic gamma
rays in an open irradiation field and dry seed irradiation by acute gamma rays was effective, and
resulted in the following precocious mutants (Petropoulos, 1973):
1
2
3
The mutant RH 3112 induced by chronic gamma rays from the Kenyan cultivar that is
earlier than the mother cultivar by 20 days.
The mutant RH 3114 induced by chronic gamma rays from the Fluorescent cultivar whose
pods are ripening simultaneously with the Moroccan cultivar, which is characterised by its
earliness of ripening (progress of the mutant over the mother cultivar by 14 days).
The mutant RH 3116 induced by chronic gamma rays from the Fluorescent cultivar also
starts to ripen at the same time as the Moroccan cultivar (progress 14 days).
Singh and Singh (1974) reported the isolation of the mutant named ‘Trailing Green’ induced
by spontaneous mutation from the clone ‘IC-74’ that flowers 30 days earlier than the mother
clone.
Resistance to lodging
Although the fenugreek stem is naturally erect and strong, there is always the danger of strong
winds and rains that cause lodging and the crop to lay down. So, the creation of fenugreek
varieties resistant to lodging, especially in areas where strong winds predominate have a high
priority.
© 2002 Georgios A. Petropoulos
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Georgios A. Petropoulos
Table 5.3 Precocity of four breeding cultivars of
fenugreek
No.
Cultivars
Earliness of ripening (%)
1
2
3
4
Fluorescent
Ethiopian
Kenyan
Moroccan
31.3*
37.2
42.3
53.2
Note
* The figures express the percentage average of the
pods reached in full maturity under UK conditions.
Table 5.4 Resistance to lodging of four
breeding cultivars of fenugreek
No.
Cultivars
Resistance to winds
(scale 1 5)
1
2
3
4
Fluorescent
Ethiopian
Kenyan
Moroccan
1.4*
1.9
3.0
3.9
* A high figure indicates that the cultivar
shows the character to a high degree.
The criteria for resistance to lodging that have been applied at Bath University were: the
shortness and thickness of the shoots, the presence of a shoot hollow that is as narrow as possible
and the production of secondary shoots arising from the base of the stem (Petropoulos, 1973).
After a 2 year evaluation, the variation in lodging resistance of the four breeding cultivars
is indicated in Table 5.4. Thus the Moroccan cultivar followed by the Kenyan are the most
resistant to lodging because of the short and narrow hollow shoots and the presence of secondary
shoots arising from the base, while the most susceptible is the Fluorescent cultivar because of its
tall and wide hollow shoots and the absence of secondary shoots from the base.
Phenotypic selection and screening for lodging resistance among mutant plants induced by
irradiation with chronic gamma rays of the plants and acute gamma rays of the seeds was effective and resulted in the following lodging resistant mutants:
1
2
The mutant RH 3112 induced by chronic gamma rays from the Kenyan cultivar with very
erect and strong stems, thick shoots and secondary shoots arising from the base.
The mutant RH 3119 induced by acute gamma rays, also from the Kenyan cultivar, with
dwarf like stem and shoots.
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seeds. Z. Pflanzenphysiol., 62, 89–92.
Ries, S.K. and Everson, E.H. (1973) Protein content and seed size. Relationships with seedling vigour of
wheat cultivars. Agron. J., 65, 884–6.
Rouk, H.F. and Mangesha, H. (1963) Fenugreek (Trigonella foenum-graecum L.). Its relationship, geography
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Roy, R.P. and Singh, A. (1968) Cytomorphological studies of the colchicine-induced tetraploid Trigonella
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Saleh, N.A. (1996) Breeding and cultural practices for fenugreek in Egypt, National Research Centre, Cairo
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Georgios A. Petropoulos
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© 2002 Georgios A. Petropoulos
6
Nutrition and use of fertilizers
Panagiotis Kouloumbis
Introduction
In the old times, a fenugreek yield of 1 ton of seeds per hectare was considered very good, but
nowadays yields of more than 2 tons per hectare are being obtained. The large yields of fenugreek are mainly dependent upon plentiful supplies of plant food in a form that fenugreek plants
can readily use.
Meagre or sparse plant growth, slow growth and poor quality of grains and forage often
indicate that there is a poor supply of plant food, which necessitates fertilization. The continuous cultivation of a soil by any rotation system results in a depletion of mineral nutrients. It is
quite likely that one or more nutrients will become deficient even in fertile soils. Fenugreek is
also sensitive to mineral deficiencies (Petropoulos, 1973).
Due to its sensitivity, especially in wet environmental conditions, it is very probable that the
yellowing leaves of some fenugreek plants, described by Sinskaya (1961) as normal characteristics of some ecotypes, might be due to mineral deficiencies, particularly of boron (B),
magnesium (Mg), manganese (Mn) and potassium (K) (Petropoulos, 1973).
Factors affecting nutrient needs
A number of factors must be taken into consideration when determining the amount of fertilizer
that should be applied. As fenugreek is grown either as a fall or spring crop there are demands
for nutrients under a wide range of environmental conditions. So, a good consideration of the
effect of climatic and edaphic factors as well as cultural practices on the growth of fenugreek is
necessary, in order to ensure adequate levels of all the essential elements throughout the growing
period.
Soil
It is well known that three mechanisms, root interception, mass flow and diffusion govern the
rate of supply of nutrients from the soil to the plant root (Oliver and Barber, 1966). In order to
make the correct fertilizer recommendations a good knowledge of soil property is absolutely necessary. Soil capacity to retain nutrients and moisture varies widely. The response of fenugreek to
phosphorus (P) and K is dependent upon the supplying content of the soil. Soil acidity also
affects the availability of trace elements: iron (Fe), zinc (Zn), Mg and B, which are required for
growth. The uptake of a nutrient depends on its concentration in the soil solution (Anonymous,
1990).
© 2002 Georgios A. Petropoulos
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Panagiotis Kouloumbis
Level of yield
When fenugreek is managed for maximum seed yield it results in greater nutrient removal. As
farmers obtain higher yields it will be necessary to increase the rates of maintenance application
of fertilizers. Also it may become necessary to apply such elements that may not have been
required in the past. So, increased yields are one of the major factors responsible for the increased
use of fertilizers. Unfortunately, most experiments on fenugreek fertilization were conducted at
yield levels that are low by present day standards. These results appear to be of questionable
value and possibly misleading when making fertilizer recommendations for present day fenugreek growers.
Rainfall and temperature
Rainfall and temperature have a pronounced effect upon fertilizer response. Availability of some
elements, like nitrogen (N) and P, is affected by temperature, since these nutrients become available from decomposing organic matter. Low soil temperature appears to limit the uptake of
P and K (Smith, 1969). Phosphorous, K and calcium (Ca) concentrations were lower during
growing seasons with high amounts of rainfall.
Intercropping system
Legumes, like fenugreek, are often richer competitors for Ca and Mg than grasses, while the
opposite occurs in the case of K. Thus, when fenugreek is grown as a forage intercropped with
barley or other grasses, in the case of K deficiency, the grain will tend to crowd out fenugreek
unless more K fertilizer is applied from the beginning.
Stage of harvesting
As the concentration of many elements is higher in young plants (Anonymous, 1990), when
fenugreek is grown as a forage early harvesting may result in the loss of more nutrients.
Nutrients removed annually
Petropoulos (1973) gives an analysis (Table 6.1) of fenugreek hay, as far as the percentage
of removed amounts of main nutrients is concerned. According to this analysis, the approximate
amounts of nutrients removed annually by the production of fenugreek hay per hectare (estimated hay yield: 2,000 kg/ha) is presented in Table 6.2. The approximate amounts of nutrients
removed annually by fenugreek seed production/ha (estimated seed yield: 1,500 kg/ha) based on
the analysis given by Duke (1986) is presented in Table 6.3, while Kouloumbis (1997) gives in
Table 6.4 an analysis of plant nutrients removed by stalks and empty pods.
Soil acidity and liming
The need for lime can best be determined by a soil test. Lime is usually applied primarily to correct soil acidity. Although a pH value between 7.5 and 8.5 appears ideal for maximum fenugreek
© 2002 Georgios A. Petropoulos
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105
Table 6.1 Proportion of main nutrients removed by
fenugreek hay
No.
Nutrients
Percentage (f.m.b.)
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
N
P
K
Ca
Mg
Mn
Cu
B
2.60
0.28
1.72
0.86
0.14
ppm (f.m.b.)
26
7.4
39
Table 6.2 Amount of nutrients removed annually by the production of fenugreek
hay/ha (estimated yield of dry hay ⫽
2,000 kg/ha)
No.
Nutrients
Removed amounts (kg)
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
N
P
K
Ca
Mg
Mn
Cu
B
52
5.6
34.4
17.2
2.8
0.052
0.0148
0.078
Table 6.3 Amount of nutrients removed annually
by the edible portion of fenugreek seed
production/ha (estimated yield of seed ⫽
1,500 kg/ha)
No.
Nutrients
Removed amounts (kg)
1
2
3
4
5
N
P
K (Ash)
Ca
Fe
67.7
5.4
54
3.3
0.36
production the optimum pH for a fenugreek crop may vary considerably, depending upon soil
characteristics such as texture, organic matter and lime in the subsoil.
Liming reduces the solubility of Fe, aluminum (Al) and Mg in the soil, while it can increase
the availability of molybdenum (Mb) (Rhykerd and Overdahl, 1975). But overliming can
decrease the availability of P and B.
Agricultural lime is a mixture of Ca or Ca and Mg and thus these nutrients are added in
the soil when liming. Calcium promotes the root development of fenugreek and is essential for
© 2002 Georgios A. Petropoulos
Panagiotis Kouloumbis
106
Table 6.4 Analysis of plant nutrients in fenugreek stalks and
empty pods
No.
Nutrients
Mature stalks
Mature pods
without seeds
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
N%
P% (mg/100 g)
K% (g/100 g)
Ca (g/100 g)
Mg (g/100 g)
Cu (mg/kg)
Zn (mg/kg)
Mn (mg/kg)
1.00
1.40
0.987
0.51
0.51
7.15
12.05
15.75
0.675
0.750
0.395
0.63
0.27
3.10
5.70
7.85
nodulation and N fixation (Rhykerd and Overdahl, 1975), the fenugreek plant was found to be
rich in Ca (Talwalkar and Patel, 1962).
The most important materials for liming are calcitic and dolomitic limestone. Dolomitic is
often less effective than calcitic limestone. Lime is slow to react with soil and should be applied
at least 1 year prior to sowing in strong acidic soils, and preferably not later than the fall of the
year prior to sowing. Surface application without incorporation by plowing or disking is not
recommended, due to the very slow movement of lime.
The recommended amount of lime is about 5 tons per acre. Half of it should be applied before
plowing and half after plowing, followed by disking.
Nutrient macroelements
Nitrogen
Nitrogen is seldom applied to fenugreek crops that are pure and properly inoculated with
Rhizobium meliloti (Del’ Gaudio, 1962), except for a small amount called ‘infantile nitrogen’
about 20 kg/ha (Petropoulos, 1973; Heeger, 1989) at sowing time in soils that are low in
organic matter. This is beneficial because it provides N for the first and rapid growth of fenugreek seedlings, until nodules form on the roots and the Rhizobium are able to fix large quantities
of atmospheric N (Molgaard and Hardman, 1980). A liberal application of N fertilizer for fenugreek crop merely depresses the fixation of atmospheric N. In Egypt, it was found that in horse
beans, when the soil contained 25–44 ppm mineral N, the N fixed amounted to 107 pounds per
acre, where as when the initial content of mineral N was about 10 ppm, the N fixed rose to
114–154 pounds per acre (Rizk, 1966). In alfalfa, 18 pounds of N per acre was banded with P
aided establishment, while 30 pounds proved detrimental (Rhykerd and Overdahl, 1975). In
general, N fertilization in alfalfa tended to decrease the yield and stand and increase weeds
(Rhykerd and Overdahl, 1975).
Recently, with the improved high yielding and high protein content of seed varieties of
fenugreek and other legumes, the question has been raised as to whether nodule bacteria are
capable of fixing adequate N for these cases. So, an increased interest has developed in studying
the response of fenugreek to N fertilization in relation to these improved varieties.
The N content of healthy fenugreek plants is at least 2.5 percent (Table 6.1) and it is a basic
constituent of the substances that are essential for protein synthesis. It is a constituent of chlorophylls and cytochrome enzymes, which are required for photosynthesis and respiration. Also
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Nutrition and fertilizers
107
many of the vitamins and alkaloids contain N. Nitrogen increases growth and defers maturity. It
produces good leaves, aids stem development and gives a luxuriant dark-green color to plants,
which is so desirable in growing crops.
The main source of N fertilization for fenugreek is limey nitrate ammonia for acid soils and
sulfate ammonia for limey soils.
Phosphorous
Although the P content of a fenugreek plant is usually in the range of around 0.25 percent
(Table 6.1), it participates in many vital life processes as the most important compounds containing P are nucleic acids and phospholipids, which play a vital role in photosynthesis, carbohydrate and protein synthesis and some coenzymes, necessary in oxidation–reduction reactions
in all cells. It is quite mobile in the plant and moves from older to younger tissue when P is limited. Phosphorous hastens maturity of crops and hence lessens danger from frost damage in the
fall, in wet and cold areas. It also aids in transferring substances from the stalk, leaves and other
growing parts to the seed, making the grains plump and full. Phosphorous is absorbed very
rapidly by young plants and in the case of alfalfa, when these tender plants have attained about
25 percent of their total dry weight, they may have accumulated, as much as 75 percent of their
total phosphorus (Rhykerd and Overdahl, 1975).
Phosphates are relatively immobile in soil and the depth of its penetration appears to
be related to the rate of P application and to soil texture. Alkaline and calcareous soils favour
the solubility of P and in this respect liming can have a pronounced influence on availability
of soil P.
As fenugreek is an annual crop, P fertilizer should be applied prior to sowing so it can be
covered by plowing or disking. A depth of 10 cm in a normal soil was found to be an effective
method of placement.
The most common source of P fertilizers are the ordinary and concentrated super phosphates,
the latter containing between 40 and 50 percent of available P2O5.
The rate of application of P fertilizer depends mainly on the amount of available P in the soil
and the yield level of fenugreek. Since the hay and seed production of fenugreek per hectare,
according to Tables 6.2 and 6.3, would probably remove only about 5.6 and 5.4 kg/ha respectively, the rate of application of P appears quite small. However as the recovery of P fertilizer by
a crop is generally low and usually ranging from 10–30 percent, the rate of application of P for
high yields of fenugreek is often considerably greater than that which appears necessary, based on
available P in the soil and crop removal.
Frequency of application does not appear to be critical with P in fenugreek, so the entire
amount of fertilizers for each growing period is added once in the beginning, as it was
mentioned above.
Symptoms of P deficiency are shown in Figure 6.1.
Potassium
The role of K affects a number of plant processes, like synthesis of carbohydrates, translocation
of starch, synthesis of protein, control of activities of numerous essential mineral nutrients,
neutralization of organic acids and activation of several important enzymes. Also K is essential
for the formation of starch, sugar and cellulose, and when it is insufficient plants do not
mature well.
© 2002 Georgios A. Petropoulos
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Panagiotis Kouloumbis
Mg
1
2
3
1
2
3
Mn
B
1
2
P
1
Mg 1:
2:
3:
Mn 1:
2:
3:
Fluorescent
Ethiopian
Moroccan
Fluorescent
Ethiopian
Kenyan
2
3
B 1: Moroccan
2: Kenyan
P 1: Fluorescent
2: Ethiopian
3: Kenyan
Figure 6.1 Leaves of different fenugreek cultivars with symptoms of mineral deficiencies (Photo:
G. Petropoulos). (See Color Plate I.)
Potassium is present in fenugreek in a higher concentration than any other mineral element,
except N. The concentration of K in healthy fenugreek plants was found to be 1.72 percent
(Table 6.1), while in alfalfa early studies suggested that at the beginning a K concentration of
1–2 percent were adequate (Rhykerd and Overdahl, 1975). But more recent studies suggest that
a concentration of 2 percent or higher is necessary for maximum yield and longevity of the crop
(Rhykerd and Overdahl, 1975). So, K fertilizer is required in large amounts in many soils
poor in K for a successful fenugreek production, while in soils rich in K its addition was found
ineffective (Petropoulos, 1973).
© 2002 Georgios A. Petropoulos
Nutrition and fertilizers
109
The concept of critical percentage of mineral nutrients in plant tissue was developed by
Macy, and is reported by Rhykerd and Overdahl (1975), but a number of factors, such as
temperature and stage of development have a pronounced effect on K concentration in the
plant.
Temperature affects K concentration in plants in alfalfa. The concentration of K under
a cool temperature regime was 1.34 percent, as compared to 2.35 percent under warm temperature. These results suggest that, when the temperatures are cool, higher exchangeable K in the
soil is required to ensure adequate K in the plant (Smith, 1969).
The stage of growth often influences concentration of K in plants to a greater extent than its
availability in soils. The efficiency of K uptake appears to be closely related to the total root
area of the plant (Oliver and Barber, 1966). A number of factors, such as soil, climate and yield
level of fenugreek affect the rate and time of application of K fertilization. The determination
of how much K the soil will supply and how much the fenugreek crop will remove make up
the difference with the addition of K fertilization, since the hay and seed production of
fenugreek per hectare, according to Tables 6.2 and 6.3, would probably remove about 34.4
and 72 kg/ha K respectively. This is a guide for estimating the amount of K fertilization of
fenugreek.
On sandy loam soils with a pH value at least 6.5, 90 kg/ha of exchangeable K are recommended (Petropoulos, 1973), while Heeger (1989) suggests 80 kg/ha K2O. Soil K is less in dry
years, since the plant tries to feed in the subsoil, where the concentration of K is lower (Rhykerd
and Overdahl, 1975). But the availability of K can also be reduced by excessive rainfall resulting
in a lack of oxygen, which is necessary for respiration and K uptake (Rhykerd and Overdahl,
1975).
Losses of soil K occur due to leaching, erosion and cropping and these losses must be replaced
frequently by the use of fertilizers. Muriate of potash (KCl) and potassium sulfate (K2SO4) are
the two main sources of K fertilizer in fenugreek.
Potassium is a little more mobile in the soil than P, but much less mobile than nitrate.
Potassium is absorbed on the base exchange complex, which accounts for its limited movement
in soils.
Potassium fertilizer must be applied, either before, or at the time of sowing, followed by
plowing or disking. Attention is to be given in case of the use of KCl, because of possible chloride injury to the seedlings (Rhykerd and Overdahl, 1975).
Dry matter, yield and total crude protein production increase, usually with an increasing rate
of K fertilization. The influence of various types of fertilizers on the composition of the fenugreek seed was investigated. The use of K best increases the yield and the nutrient qualities with
special effects on the oil content (Salgues, 1939). The feeding value of alfalfa increased as a result
of K fertilization, mainly because of the increase in digestibility (Rhykerd and Overdahl, 1975).
Trace elements
Boron
Although the concentration of B in fenugreek is very low, B shortages can cause a serious reduction in crop yield.
The role of B in plants is very important as it is involved in many processes: pollen germination, cell division, water and carbohydrate metabolism and other processes. Carbohydrate
translocation may be the most important function of B, since rapidly growing areas of the plant
first exhibit deficiency symptoms.
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Panagiotis Kouloumbis
Response from B is related more to yield than to quality. Soil organic matter and subsequent
B release during decomposition is the basic source of this element as a nutrient (Rhykerd and
Overdahl, 1975). Any difficulty in the bacterial action of decaying soil organic matter usually
reduces the B supply.
In dry soil conditions, that push the plant to absorb nutrients from subsoil, which as known
to be low in available B, its deficiency appears. Also a low soil pH inhibits bacterial activity
and reduces B release from organic matter. Overliming reduces B availability, too. Any farming
practice, like irrigation, that depletes soil organic matter, can magnify B deficiency. Leaching
losses of B can be considerable, depending on soil texture and rainfall. Boron is not very mobile
in the plant. In the case of shortage, B will be retained in the stem passing eventually to the
leaves, and only if it is available will pass to the flowers and fruits (Tanaka, 1967; Sauchelli,
1969).
Furthermore, inoculation of fenugreek seeds with Rhizobium means the Rhizobium’s B requirements must also be satisfied (Petropoulos, 1973), because, as Hallsworth (1958) reports,
Rhizobia may also have an absolute requirement for B, but lower than that of the host plant.
Although the actual amount of B needed by fenugreek plants is very small ranging around
40 ppm (Table 6.1), symptoms of B deficiency could occur if the soil is very low in B
(Petropoulos, 1973). The B range of soils is usually 2–100 ppm (Chapman, 1966). In alfalfa,
levels of B below 20 ppm in the top 6 in. of the plant indicated a deficiency of B (Anonymous,
1951). According to Chapman (1966), B deficiency in the early stages in many crops cannot be
easily identified, except by leaf and soil analysis, which is frequently used. But B soil analysis is
not a reliable measure of B availability, because less than 5 percent is in the available form. The
lowest content of B, in which plants in water culture are showing B deficiency symptoms (no
formation of pods), was 13 mg/g dry matter, and in this respect fenugreek is very similar to
alfalfa, a plant known to have high B requirements (Molgaard and Hardman, 1980). Fenugreek
possesses a high tolerance of excess B, as the very high B content of 62 mg/g dry matter in water
culture fenugreek plants indicates this tolerance (Molgaard and Hardman, 1980).
The main symptoms of B deficiency, regardless of cultivar or variety, are failure of flowering
or fertilization, decreased apical growth, small crisped leaves in a terminal rosette and a gradual
yellowing of the lower leaves. In combination with low N, the B deficiency plants had yellow
Table 6.5 Boron deficiency symptoms for four fenugreek cultivars
Cultivars
Deficiency symptoms
Fluorescent
Leaves near the growing point are yellowed, lower leaves remain healthy, green color
at the beginning but affected later. Lateral terminals are sometimes affected. Plants are
stunted by a shortening of the terminal internodes resulting in rosetting. Flowers fail
to form and buds appear as white or light brown dead tissue
Young leaves turning yellow. Edges of some of these leaves later become bright red and
then turn brown and die. Sometimes affects only the margins or the tip halves of
leaves. The abnormal color spreads over the entire leaf surface including the veins
Leaves near a growing point are yellowed. Sometimes reddened. Lower leaves at first
a healthy green, but later the symptoms are distributed over the entire plant. Plants
are stunded by a shortening of the terminal internodes resulting in rosetting, which is
characteristic. Affected leaves turning first dark brown and later light brown
Leaves of the younger portions of the plant are yellowed but later distributed over the
entire plant. Plants are stunted by a shortening of the terminal internodes. Affected
leaves die
Ethiopian
Kenyan
Moroccan
© 2002 Georgios A. Petropoulos
Nutrition and fertilizers
111
Figure 6.2 Boron deficiency symptoms in a hybrid fenugreek plant (Fluorescent ⫻ Kenyan)
(Photo: G. Petropoulos). (See Color Plate II.)
succulent leaves at a very early stage. High Ca and high N increased the demand for B (Molgaard
and Hardman, 1980). The B deficiency symptoms for four breeding cultivars, as described by
Petropoulos (1973), are tabulated in Table 6.5, while plants showing B deficiency symptoms are
presented in Figures 6.1 and 6.2.
Materials that can be used to correct B deficiency are borax, which contains about 11 percent
of B and boric acid. The correction is performed by foliar sprays using a solution containing
about 2 percent Na2B4O7 . 10H2O with a suitable wetting agent, at a rate of approximately twothirds of a fluid ounce per square yard. For soil application boric acid is usually used at a rate of
15 kg/acre (or 1–2 pounds of B per acre), which is adequate to limit B deficiency in
fenugreek. Borax should not be used with ammonium salts because of a possible chemical
reaction, whereas boric acid is compatible with it (Chapman, 1966). Soil applications give
a longer correction than foliar sprays.
Magnesium
Magnesium is essential for photosynthesis (as a constituent of the chlorophyll molecule), carbohydrate metabolism and synthesis of oil. It is readily translocated from older to young tissue,
© 2002 Georgios A. Petropoulos
112
Panagiotis Kouloumbis
in the case of Mg deficiency. There were strong indications of a lower content of fixed oils in
seeds from plants showing symptoms of Mg deficiency. This may be due to the fact that Mg generally plays a role in oil formation (Anonymous, 1951). Also it was found that a higher content
of Mg in fenugreek contributed to a higher fixed oils content in the seed (Petropoulos, 1973).
Soils that are developed on granites, sandstones and coastal sands are generally low in Mg,
while those developed on dolomitic limestone and basic rock contain large amounts of Mg
(Rhykerd and Overdahl, 1975). So, the content of Mg in soils varies widely. Magnesium deficiencies have developed due to many factors such as soil K (Rhykerd and Overdahl, 1975), the
high content of alkaline soils in natrium (Rhykerd and Overdahl, 1975) and the continuous use
of high calcitic limestone in soils low in Mg.
Dolomitic limestone is the main source of Mg. Potassium magnesium sulfate and MgSO4 are
mainly used to supply Mg, while magnesium chelate is used as a foliar spray, but it is expensive.
The sulfate form of Mg is more soluble than dolomitic limestone.
Magnesium deficiencies mostly occur in soils containing less than 100 pounds of exchangeable Mg per acre (Rhykerd and Overdahl, 1975). Legumes normally contain two to three
times as much Mg as do grasses (Chapman, 1966). It is recommended that some of the sulfate
should be applied along with the initial liming to ensure adequate Mg. Chapman (1966) reports
that the concentration of Mg in the mature leaves of plants without symptoms of deficiencies is
0.20–0.25 percent (m.f.b.), while for fenugreek plants it is 0.14 percent (Table 6.1), although
according to Kansal and Pahwa (1979) fenugreek plants were found to be rich in Mg. Typical
Mg deficiency symptoms, as described by Petropoulos (1973) for four breeding cultivars, are
tabulated in Table 6.6, while fenugreek plants with Mg deficiency symptoms are presented in
Figure 6.1.
It has been reported (Petropoulos, 1973) that fenugreek showed symptoms of Mg deficiency
when other plants did not show such symptoms, and when plants such as fat hay grew in the
margins of the experimental plots, according to Chapman (1966), it is an indicator of Mg deficiency. As Chapman (1966) states, the most common means of diagnosing Mg deficiency is by
the use of visual symptoms. The appearance of a few leaves with characteristic Mg patterns is
probably not serious enough to warrant the expense of corrective measures. The sufficient level
for fenugreek hay, as has been reported previously, was found to be 0.14 percent, while for alfalfa
the corresponding level also for dry hay is less than about 0.3 percent and for the top 6 inches of
plants sampled prior to blooming it is 0.31–1.00 percent (Rhykerd and Overdahl, 1975).
Table 6.6 Magnesium (Mg) deficiency symptoms in four fenugreek breeding cultivars
Cultivars
Deficiency symptoms
Fluorecent
In early stages the area between the main veins of the leaves become pale green, later
they turn a deep yellow except at the base of the leaf. Lower leaves are likely to be
affected first. A later stage gives the general appearance of early maturity. A gradual
yellowing from the margin and a bronzing over the entire leaf surface. Collapse of plants
Central internal chlorosis and reddish brown marginal band. Collapse of the plants
rarely occurs
Yellowing of broad margin of the leaf. The base and centre of the leaves and to some
extent the veins remain green. In severe cases there is an almost complete yellowing of
all leaves with a marked reduction in the growth
Central internal chlorosis of the leaves. Older leaves become chlorotic at the leaf margin
and later in the midrib. Collapse of the plants rarely occurs
Ethiopian
Kenyan
Moroccan
© 2002 Georgios A. Petropoulos
Nutrition and fertilizers
113
For correcting Mg deficiency, the application of a foliar spray with a solution containing 5–10
percent MgSO4 . 7H2O is recommended (this proportion depends on climatic conditions) with a
wetting agent, at a rate of about two-thirds of a fluid ounce per square yard. For soil application,
MgSO4 is recommended to be broadcast at a rate of 40 pounds per acre, although for alfalfa in
Ohio at a rate of 150–250 pounds per acre is recommended.
Manganese
Manganese along with Fe assists in chlorophyll synthesis and is involved in several
oxidation–reduction systems. Excess of Mn can prevent the normal and reduced form of Fe in the
plant.
Manganese deficiency in fenugreek, like alfalfa, can be produced by a neutral or alkaline
pH, poor drainage or by biological factors (Graven et al., 1965), as certain bacteria can
oxidize the available Mn to the unavailable manganic form (Rhykerd and Overdahl,
1975).
Overliming a soil can produce Mn deficiency, and for this reason in soil low in Mn only moderate amounts of lime should be used. The low content of Mn in combination with neutral to
alkaline soil favour the appearance of Mn deficiency in fenugreek (Petropoulos, 1973). In strong
acidic soils Mn is reduced from the insoluble oxidized form to an exchangeable and available
water-soluble form. Wallace (1951) stresses that Mn is more available in acid soils than in those
that are neutral to alkaline in reaction.
The sufficiency range for fenugreek plants according to Table 6.1 is up to 26 ppm, while
for alfalfa plants, sampled prior to bloom, it is from 26–100 ppm (Rhykerd and Overdahl,
1975). An excess of Mn causes a deficiency of Fe. Chapman (1966) reports that at least 3 ppm
of exchangeable Mn in alkaline soils would have to be present for satisfactory crop
production.
Very small differences were recorded from the Mn deficiency symptoms among the plants
of four breeding cultivars of fenugreek and these are tabulated in Table 6.7, while
fenugreek plants with Mn deficiency symptoms are presented in Figures 6.1 and 6.3.
Foliar sprays containing 4 percent MnSO4 . 4H2O with a suitable wetting agent are
recommended for the correction of Mn deficiency symptoms, at a rate of about two-thirds of
a fluid ounce per square yard, while for soil application manganese sulfate at a rate of about
20 pounds per acre (Petropoulos, 1973). Also about 50 pounds per acre of manganese
sulfate (approximately 15–20 pounds Mn) in soils where the deficiency is known, is usually
a satisfactory rate.
Table 6.7 Manganese (Mn) deficiency symptoms on four fenugreek breeding cultivars
Cultivars
Deficiency symptoms
Fluorescent
Symptoms are first seen in the young leaves. Light green to yellow leaves with
distinctly green veins. Areas between the veins over the whole leaves become pale
green and then pale yellow. In severe cases brown spots (necrotic areas) appear in
leaves. Leaves drop off prematurely
Symptoms as in fluorescent but less distinctly green veins
Symptoms as in fluorescent cultivar but the brown spots (necrotic areas) appear in
higher proportion
Symptoms as in fluorescent
Ethiopian
Kenyan
Moroccan
© 2002 Georgios A. Petropoulos
Panagiotis Kouloumbis
114
Figure 6.3 Manganese deficiency symptoms on a fenugreek plant of the Ethiopian cultivar
(Photo: G. Petropoulos). (See Color Plate III.)
Zinc
Zinc plays an important role in several enzyme systems. Diminished growth and auxin concentration accelerates Zn concentration. Zinc deficient plants have a reduced water uptake.
Although soils have an adequate Zn, in some of them there is a problem of availability, mainly
in calcareous soils and in soils where high rates of P are applied.
The soluble forms of Zn are zinc sulfate and the chelated one, although the latter is very useful with a high Zn fixing capacity it is very expensive. The deficiency level is near 15 ppm for
the whole alfalfa plant and a sufficiency range of 21–70 ppm for the top 6 inches of the plant
sampled prior to blooming (Rhykerd and Overdahl, 1975). Five to 15 pounds per acre of Zn are
generally applied as a soluble salt on soils where deficiencies are known.
Iron
Iron is involved in respiration since it is a constituent of the cytochromes. A deficiency of Fe is
usually a consequence of low solubility rather than a mere absence. Iron is physiologically active
in the ferrous state, but it is absorbed in the ferric state. The most common causes of Fe deficiency are overliming and the excess of Mn, which prevents the reduction of Fe in plant cells
(Rhykerd and Overdahl, 1975).
Cold soil temperatures reduce the absorption of Fe. The sufficiency range is 30–250 ppm for
alfalfa plants sampled prior to blooming (Rhykerd and Overdahl, 1975), while the fenugreek
© 2002 Georgios A. Petropoulos
Nutrition and fertilizers
115
plant was found to be rich in Fe (Talwalkar and Patel, 1962). Tissue analysis may be the best
indicator of Fe need. As Fe is poorly translocated a foliar application may correct deficient leaves,
however new leaves may still be deficient.
Copper
Copper (Cu) is an enzyme activator and its role is complex and not clear. There are indications
that Cu may be involved in the metabolism of root, protein and amino acids, in the rate of
photosynthesis and in oxidation–reduction reactions.
Although the Cu content in soil varies with soil type (Rhykerd and Overdahl, 1975), most
mineral and fine textured soils have enough native Cu content. Soil Cu is less available in alkaline than in acid soils. Some sandy and perhaps organic soils are poor in Cu.
Foliar rather than soil tests are usually better indicators for Cu need. The sufficiency range for
fenugreek plants according to Table 6.1 is around 8 ppm, while for alfalfa in Ohio less than
11 ppm for plants sampled prior to blooming and showing Cu deficiency (Rhykerd and
Overdahl, 1975). Copper deficient plants will respond to foliar feeding, but soil application is
usually the most practical method of supplying Cu to fenugreek.
Copper sulfate, copper chloride and copper nitrate can be successfully used as fertilizers. On
mineral soils 10 pounds of copper sulfate per acre of fenugreek are sufficient where deficiencies
are known to occur, but on organic soils these amounts should be higher. But care must be taken
to avoid toxic phenomena.
Combined fertilization
When considering commercial fertilizers, recognition should be given to the fact that the vegetative portion of fenugreek, like the other legumes, is high in K, P also is essential, but N
should come from the atmospheric air.
The use of a nutrient extraction table is a good way to calculate the right NPK balance and
the amount of fertilizer that should be applied, when no detailed information about nutrient
requirements is available (Tables 6.1–6.3 for fenugreek).
For the case of fenugreek fertilization, some functional principles are reported below, based on
general information for the cultivation of crops in a Mediterranean climate (Anonymous, 1990).
1
2
3
4
5
The uptake of a nutrient depends on its concentration in the soil solution and varies during
the cropping cycle according to the amount and the type of mineral elements.
An excess of nutrients can have detrimental effects, such as phytotoxity or abnormal growth
excesses. For example, excessive B results in plant death or excessive N can cause luxuriant
leaf growth and a delay in maturity.
The application of nutrients to the soil in the exact proportions needed by fenugreek plants
does not necessarily give good results, because they may not all be absorbed in the same
way. For instance it is usual to apply more P than that extracted by the plants.
The application of nutrients should be proportional to plant uptake, to avoid any antagonism between nutrients. An example is the detrimental effect of high K application on Mg
absorption, which is well known.
When saline water is used for irrigation, its nutrient content in certain conditions may be
important with regard to plant nutrition. This is particularly true if the irrigation water has
a high content of Ca, Mg, B or sulfur (S), as the example shown below.
© 2002 Georgios A. Petropoulos
116
Panagiotis Kouloumbis
Nutrient absorption by fenugreek plants is difficult to control because many soil factors are
involved, for example: pH, temperature, exchange capacity, salinity and water supply. However,
two methods may be used to build a fertilization program with sufficient precision: soil analysis
and plant leaf analysis.
If soil analysis is carried out, using water as the extraction solvent instead of ammonium lactate, information about the content of nutrients in the soil solution is obtained but not about the
potential nutrient reserve. It is possible, therefore, to make an accurate estimate of the amounts
readily available to fenugreek plants. It is also possible to test the fertilization program by knowing the nutrient balance of the soil.
Leaf analysis is complementary to soil analysis for checking the nutrient composition of
plants. However, the amounts of fertilizer that must be applied to obtain the correct leaf content
vary widely, depending on growing conditions. So it is necessary to adjust a fertilization program to each fenugreek crop and region. This means that it is difficult for growers to use fertilization recommendations in relation to leaf analyses that have been established in other countries
but not tested at home, or under similar climatic or growing conditions.
From the above, some general conclusions can be derived for fenugreek fertilization. They are
the following:
●
●
Water salinity must generally be controlled, particularly if soil drainage is incomplete.
If the irrigation water has an intense alkaline character, serious P precipitation problems can
be presented.
In order to reduce salt accumulation in the soil, small amounts of fertilizers are applied
frequently rather than large quantities at longer intervals.
The great bulk of the fertilizers generally consist of N, phosphoric acid and K, either alone or
in combination.
Complete commercial fertilizers of a 2-12-4 or 2-16-6 formula are effective. They should be
used at a rate of 200 or 300 pounds per acre, applied either broadcast before sowing or as only
a small amount of 50–75 pounds that can be drilled in the row with the fenugreek seed. Rathore
and Manohar (1989) found that, in a winter crop of fenugreek on loamy sand, seed and straw
yields were higher with 20 kg N/ha and 50 kg P/ha. Acid soils should be limed before they are
seeded with fenugreek.
Band placement of fertilizers (N, P and K) is superior to a broadcast application and the same
was found for other legumes (Rhykerd and Overdahl, 1975). N, P and K fertilizers improved the
yield, while N and K improved the quality of hay used in fenugreek (Pareek and Gupta, 1981).
Nitrogen, P and K fertilizers had a beneficial effect on the fenugreek seed yield, while N and
K improved the quality of fenugreek hay (Salgues, 1938b).
Pareek and Gupta (1981) reported that N and P application had a beneficial effect on fenugreek nodulation, while any direct relationship between N and P fertilizers and diosgenin content of fenugreek seed did not appear.
In pot experiments with fenugreek, it was found that the highest seed yield was obtained
from the double N, P and K rates combined with Ca and Mg application (Golez and Kordana,
1979). Crops showed the highest requirement for N and K, lesser for Ca and least for P (Golez
and Kordana, 1979).
Kozlowski et al. (1982) in pot experiments with fenugreek also found that seed yield was
highest when the N–P–K rate was doubled. Mg addition increased the effect of the doubled N
rate, but the highest seed yields were obtained when Ca was also added. The addition of Ca alone
without Mg had a more positive effect on seed yield than addition of Mg alone. The average
© 2002 Georgios A. Petropoulos
Nutrition and fertilizers
117
mucilage value was highest when Ca and Mg were added at doubled N rates. When Ca and Mg
were added at doubled K rates the mucilage value decreased, while doubled K alone yielded the
lowest diosgenin concentration. Without Ca and Mg the diosgenin concentration increased most
when the N rate was doubled. A negative relation between N uptake and diosgenin content was
observed.
As is generally known the health of a plant is expressed by the sum of its NPK contents in a
given period. The lower mineralization of the green parts at the end of a vegetative cycle coincides with the optimum of change. Salgues (1938a) reported that healthy fenugreek plants at the
end of a vegetative cycle had the lowest total of N, P and K, when either no fertilizer or K alone
was used, followed in order by the use of complete N–P–K, N alone and P alone, while in other
tested plants this order of fertilizers is different.
The use of high purity fertilizers does not supply enough to minor elements, so that the specific application of micronutrients becomes essential under these circumstances. The best way to
achieve this is by foliar spraying, since incorporation in the soil can give very uncertain results
for problems of precipitation and uptake.
Foliar feeding, in United Kingdom conditions, with a concentrated solution of trace elements
containing 4% MnSO4 . 4H2O ⫹ 10% MgSO4 . 7H2O ⫹ 2% Na2B4O7 with a wetting agent at
a rate of two-thirds of a fluid ounce per square yard were used occasionally from when the first
pods had formed until the beginning of September, with good results (Petropoulos, 1973). This
early interruption of feeding in September took place to allow fenugreek to ripen.
Hardman (1980) suggests a fertilization of 20 units N, 50 units P and 50 units K (25, 63 and
65 kg/ha) to the seed bed and at 1–3 true leaf stage 70 units N (88 kg/ha element). While
Hardman (1979) for feeding with trace elements, based on the trial growing of fenugreek in the
United Kingdom, suggests for Mg 10 kg of element/ha, used as MgSO4 . 7H2O, Mn 10 kg of
element/ha used as MnSO4 . 4H2O and B 2.5 kg of element/ha used as H3BO3, making a solution of the first two salts in cold water, dissolving the boric acid in boiling water, mixing the
solutions and spraying onto the land (avoid the use of a solution of borax, as this is incompatible
with the solution of manganese sulfate).
The application of 140 kg N/ha as ammonium sulfate or ammonium nitrate, 50 kg P2O5/ha
as calcium phosphate and 60 kg K2O/ha as potassium sulfate, is a common practice in fenugreek
fertilization in Egypt (Saleh, 1997). The recommended fertilization rate of fenugreek in Poland
is 20–30 kg N/ha, 60–70 kg P2O5/ha and 80–100 kg K2O/ha, 3– 4 days before sowing
(Anonymous, 1987). While in Germany and Hungary a similar opinion prevails: up to
20 kg N/ha (⫽100 kg/ha Calcium ammonium nitrate), 40–60 kg P2O5/ha (⫽270–400 kg/ha
Thomasphosphate) and 80 kg K2O/ha (⫽200 kg/ha K 40 percent) (Máthé, 1975; Heeger, 1989).
Hardman (1981), in notes issued for guidance and which cannot be taken as definitive, recommends in the case of fenugreek forage production for hay or silage, seed bed dressings with 18
and 50 units each of P and K, followed at the 3– 4 true leaf stage by 70 units N and 15 units
each of P and K, on soils that have an average nutritive situation.
References
Anonymous (1951) Hunger signs in crops, Amer. Soc. of Agronomy.
Anonymous (1987) Kozieradka pospolita (Trigonella foenum-graecum L.) – Rodzina: Motylkowe (Papilionaceae),
Instytut Roślin I Przetworów Zielarskich, W. Poznaniu, Zrzeszenie Przedsiebiorstw Przemyslu
Zielarskiego ‘Herbapol’, 3 Str.
Anonymous (1990) Protected cultivation in the Mediterranean climate, F.A.O. Plant Production Protection,
Paper No. 90, Rome, F.A.O. of the UN, pp. 313.
© 2002 Georgios A. Petropoulos
118
Panagiotis Kouloumbis
Chapman, H.D. (1966) Diagnostic Criteria for Plants and Soils, University of California, Riverside California.
Dachler, M. and Pelzman, H. (1989) Heil- und Gewürzpflanzen, Anbau – Ernte – Aufbereitung, AV – Berater,
Österreichischer Agrarverlag, Wien.
Del’ Gaudio, S. (1952) Il fieno greco, forragera del colle et del monte. Ital. Agric., 89, 127–36.
Duke, A.J. (1986) Handbook of Legumes of World Economic Importance, Plenum Press, New York and
London.
Golez, L. and Kordana, S. (1979) Effect of nitrogen, phosphorous and potassium doses, as well as magnesium and calcium fertilisation on a crop yield and uptake of mineral nutrients by Trigonella
foenum-graecum. Herba Pol., 25(2), 121–31.
Graven, E.H., Atoe, O.J. and Smith, D. (1965) Effects of liming and flooding on manganese toxicity in
alfalfa. Soil Sci. Soc. Amer. Proc., 29, 702–6.
Hallsworth, E. (1958) Nutrition of the Legumes, Butterworths Scient. Publ., London.
Hardman, R. (1979) Notes on the trial growing of fenugreek in the United Kingdom, Bath University,
England (unpublished data).
Hardman, R. (1980) Fenugreek – a multi-purpose annual legume for Europe and other countries. Cereal
Unit Publication, Royal Agricultural Show, Stoneleigh, UK.
Hardman, R. (1981) Fenugreek trials National Seed Development Organization Limited, Cambridge,
England (unpublished data).
Heeger, E.F. (1989) Handbuch des Arznei- und Gewürzpflanzenbaues, Harri Deutsch Verlag, 2.Repr.,
Frankfurt/M.
Kansal, V.K. and Pahwa, A. (1979) Utilisation of magnesium from leafy vegetables and cereals. Effect of
incorporation of skim milk powder in the diets. J. Nutr. Diet., 16(12), 453–9.
Kozlowski, J., Nowak, A. and Krajewska, A. (1982) Zmiany wartosci śluzowej oraz zawartości i wydajności
diosgeniny w nasionach kozieradki pospolitej (Trigonella foenum-graecum L.) pod wpl/ywem
zróz.nikowanego nawoz.enia. Herba Polonica, 28(3–4), 159–70.
Kouloumbis, P. (1997) Analysis of fenugreek stalks and pods for plant nutrients, Athens Soil Science
Institute (unpublished data).
Máthé, I. (1975) A görögszéna (Trigonella foenum-graecum L.), Magyarország Kult., III/2, Kultúrflóra 39.,
Akadémiai Kiadó, Budapest.
Miller, J.I. (1969) The spice trade of the roman empire 29 B.C. to A.D. 641, Clarendon Press, Oxford.
Molgaard, P. and Hardman, R. (1980) Boron requirements and deficiency symptoms of fenugreek
(Trigonella foenum-graecum) as shown in a water culture experiment with inoculation of Rhizobium.
J. Agric. Sci. Camb., 94, 455–60.
Oliver, S. and Barber, S.A. (1966) An evaluation of the mechanisms governing the supply of Ca, Mg, K and
Na to soybean roots (Glycine max). Soil Sci. Soc. Amer. Proc., 30, 82–6.
Pareek, S.K. and Gupta, R. (1981) Effect of fertiliser application on seed yield and diosgenin content in
fenugreek. Indian J. Agric. Sci., 50(10), 746–9.
Petropoulos, G.A. (1973) Agronomic, genetic and chemical studies of Trigonella foenum-graecum L., PhD. Thesis,
Bath University, England.
Rathore, P.S. and Manohar, S.S. (1989) Effect of date of sowing, levels of nitrogen and phosphorous on
growth and yield of fenugreek. Madras Agric. J., 76(11), 647–8.
Rhykerd, C.L. and Overdahl, C.J. (1975) Nutrition and fertilizer use. In C.H. Hanson (ed.), Alfalfa Science
and Technology, Amer. Soc. Agric. Inc. Publ., Ma., Wi., USA, 437–68.
Rizk, S.G. (1966) Atmospheric nitrogen fixation by legumes under Egyptian conditions. II. Grain
legumes. J. Microbiol. U.A.R., 1(1), 33–45.
Saleh, N.A. (1997) Breeding and cultural practices for fenugreek in Egypt. National Research Center, Cairo
(personal communication).
Salgues, R. (1938a) Mineralization of the green parts (of plants) as a function of the application of
fertilizers. Bull. Assoc. Franc. Étude Sol, 4, 36–44.
Salgues, R. (1938b) Studies of plant physiology. Rev. Gen. Sci., 49, 238–42.
Salgues, R. (1939) Fenugreek, Trigonella foenum-graecum L. Bull. Sci. Pharmacol., 64, 77–89.
Sauchelli, V. (1969) Trace Elements in Agriculture, Van Nostrand Reinhold, London, p. 248.
© 2002 Georgios A. Petropoulos
Nutrition and fertilizers
119
Sinskaya, E. (1961) Flora of cultivated plants of the U.S.S.R. XIII. Perennial leguminous plants, Part I. Medic,
Sweet clover, Fenugreek, Israel Programme for Scientific Translations, Jerusalem.
Smith, D. (1969) Influence of temperature on the yield and chemical composition of ‘vernal’ alfalfa at first
flower. Agronomy Journal, 61, 470–2.
Talwalkar, R.T. and Patel, S.M. (1962) Nutritive value of some leaf proteins. I. Amino-acid composition of
Trigonella foenum-graecum and Hibiscus cannabinus. Ann. Biochem. Exptl. Med., 22, 289–94.
Tanaka, H. (1967) Boron absorption by crop plants as affected by other nutrients of the medium. Soil Science
and Plant Nutrition, 13(2), 41–4.
Wallace, I. (1951) The Diagnosis of Mineral Deficiencies in Plants by Visual Symptoms, Her Majesty’s Stationary
Office, London.
© 2002 Georgios A. Petropoulos
7
Pests and diseases
George Manicas
Although generally fenugreek is little subject to pest and fungal diseases (Sinskaya, 1961),
a number of investigators have reported the appearance in fenugreek crops of some pest enemies
and fungal, bacterial and viral diseases.
Pests
Fenugreek appears very resistant to attacks by insects and animal enemies and no serious damage
in the plants has been recorded in the literature. It is also characteristic that in stored seeds of
fenugreek, more than 10 years without any treatment, one did not notice any attack.
The peculiar smell that possesses the fenugreek plants and seeds may be a possible factor for
their resistance to the attack of insects. The fact that dry fenugreek plants and seeds are mainly
used as insect repellent to protect the grains from attacks of insects (Chopra et al., 1965), may be
connected and confirms partly the above hypothesis. The major pests that have been recorded as
attacking fenugreek are presented in Table 7.1.
Table 7.1 The main pest enemies reported to attack fenugreek plants
Pest enemies
References
Adelphocoris lineolatus
Myzodes persicae
Macrosiphon solanifolii
Myzocallidium riehmi
Agriotes ustulatus
Asyrtosyphon pisum
Agromyza frontella
Agromyza nana
Terias hecabe
Plodia interpunctella
Chilo infuscatellus
Tetranychus cucurbitae
Aphis craccivora
Myzus persicae
Rabbits
Hares
Game birds
Leaf miners
Máthé, 1975
© 2002 Georgios A. Petropoulos
Verum et al., 1994
Duke, 1986
Hardman, 1979
Petropoulos, 1973; Hardman, 1979
Pests and diseases 121
As fenugreek is highly palatable to rabbits, hares and game birds, Hardman (1979)
recommends that in case of severe attacks by these two pests to net the land against them, especially for experimental plots, by using netting of width about 120 cm, so that 30 cm is placed
horizontally in the ground extending away from the growing area, at a depth of 20 cm such that
70 cm is standing vertically above the soil level.
Very occasionally leaf-miners (see Figure 7.1) and leaf-rollers damage were reported at Bath,
which were easily controlled with malathion or other up-to-date insecticide (Petropoulos, 1973;
Hardman, 1979).
Diseases
The main diseases that have been recorded to attack fenugreek are presented in Table 7.2.
From the diseases shown in Table 7.2, those that cause serious damage to fenugreek, are as
follows.
Collar rot (Rhizoctonia solani Kuhn)
Fenugreek suffers extensively with foot-rot and damping-off of disease caused by R. solani, in
some areas of India (Hiremath et al., 1976). Studies were conducted to screen several varieties
and cultivars of fenugreek and different fungicides for their efficacy in controlling this disease
(Prasad and Hiremath, 1985). The varieties TG-18 and UM-20 showed some tolerance, while
none of the varieties tested showed complete resistance.
A lot of fungicides have been tried by several investigators to control R. solani (Hiremath
et al., 1978; Prasad and Hiremath, 1985).
In vivo studies on control of fungus with different methods of fungicidal application showed
that Carbedazim gave the best results, as seed as well as dry soil mix fungicide, while Captan was
more effective as a soil drenching (Prasad and Hiremath, 1985).
Hague and Ghaffar (1992) found that Rhizobium meliloti, Trichoderma hanatum, T. harzianum
and T. pseudokoningii used as seed dressing or as a soil drench completely controlled infection by
R. solani in 30- and 60-day-old plants.
Powdery mildew (Oidiopsis sp.)
Palti (1959) has described this disease on fenugreek in Israel and considers it one of the most
important diseases to afflict fenugreek. Rouk and Mangesha (1963) report that in Ethiopia fenugreek is usually attacked by Oidiopsis sp., which does considerable damage to the plants.
Petropoulos (1973) reports that fenugreek plants of his experimental plots were infected by the
fungus Oidiopsis that at first, caused slightly raised blister-like areas on the young leaves that
soon became covered with a grayish white, powdery fungus growth, while the older leaves were
covered with a white superficial powdery bloom of fungus growth (Figure 7.1). Chupp and Sherf
(1960) observed that the pathogen of powdery mildew does not grow well when weather is wet,
while Agrios (1969) notices that powdery mildew is a very common disease for arid and semiarid environments.
Although Oidiopsis sp. is not a seed-borne disease, Petropoulos (1973) found that infection in
fenugreek plants was higher from seeds untreated with Benlate, than from treated ones. It would
appear that Benlate gives some systemic protection to the seedlings against Oidiopsis sp. The
same worker found that sprays with Dinocap (Karathane) with 8–10 oz active ingredient/acre in
100 gals with a low volume sprayer gave satisfactory control. Among the four breeding cultivars
© 2002 Georgios A. Petropoulos
122
George Manicas
Table 7.2 The major diseases reported to attack plants of certain species of the genus Trigonella
Species of the genus
Trigonella
Diseases/pathogens
References
T. foenum-graecum
Rhizoctonia solani
Ascochyta sp.
Cercosporina sp.
Cercospora traversiana
Peronospora trigonelae
Leveillula taurica
Pseudoperiza medicaginis
Peronospora trifoliorum
Peronospora trigonellae
Erysiphe martii
Uronyces trigonellae
Heterosporium sp.
Macrophomina phaseolina
Sclerotinia trifoliorum
Fusarium oxysporum
Xanthomonas alfalfa
Bean Yellow Mosaic Virus
Potato virus A
Cow pea mosaic virus
Potato virus Y
Tobacco etch. virus
Wisconsin pea streak virus
Pea mosaic virus
Soybean mosaic virus
Watermelon mosaic virus
Alfalfa mosaic virus
Tomato black ring virus
Clover vein mosaic virus
Uromyces ciceris-arietini
Uromyces antuyllitis f.
Trigonella
Broad bean mosaic virus
Tobacco necrosis virus
Colletotrichum trifolii
Pseudoperiza medicaginis
Colletotrichum trifolii
Uromyces striatus
Raian et al., 1991; Haque and Ghaffar, 1992
Minz and Solel, 1959; Anonymous, 1968
Minz and Solel, 1959; Anonymous, 1968
Bremer et al., 1952; Leppik, 1959; Leppik, 1960
Palti, 1956; Anonymous, 1968
Palti, 1956; Palti, 1959
Glaeser, 1961
Gopal and Maggon, 1971
Palti, 1956; Ciccarone, 1952
Nagy et al., 1972
Nagy et al., 1972; Palti, 1956; Ubrizsy, 1965
Petropoulos, 1973
Haque and Ghaffar, 1992
Petri, 1934
Borg, 1936
Anonymous, 1968
Anonymous, 1968; Petropoulos, 1973
Schmelzer, 1967; Anonymous, 1968
Vidamo and Conti, 1965; Anonymous, 1968
Schmelzer, 1967
T. polycerata
T. caerulea
T. cretica
T. suavissima
Anonymous, 1968
Quantz, 1968; Schmelzer and Wolf, 1971
Quantz, 1968; Schmelzer and Wolf, 1971
Quantz, 1968; Schmelzer and Wolf, 1971
Quantz, 1968; Schmelzer and Wolf, 1971
Quantz, 1968; Schmelzer and Wolf, 1971
Payak, 1962
Anonymous, 1968
Anonymous, 1968
Anonymous, 1968
Glaeser, 1961
Anonymous, 1968
Anonymous, 1968
evaluated for their resistance to the fungus the Fluorescent was found to be the most tolerant,
while the Moroccan one of the most susceptible (Petropoulos, 1973).
Leaf spot (Ascochyta sp.)
This disease causes irregular spots on fenugreek leaves up to 6 mm in diameter, turning brown
to black, assuming definite margins and often a zonate appearance. Affected leaves may die and
© 2002 Georgios A. Petropoulos
Pests and diseases 123
2
1
3
4
5
6
Figure 7.1 Fenugreek leaves covered by different diseases, namely: 1. Heterosporium sp. in Fluorescent
cultivar; 2. Heterosporium sp. in Ethiopian cultivar; 3. Oidiopsis sp. in Moroccan cultivar; 4.
Oidiopsis sp. in Kenyan cultivar; 5. Oidiopsis sp. in Ethiopian cultivar; 6. Leaf miners in
Kenyan cultivar (Photo: G. Petropoulos). (See Color Plate IV.)
fall (Figure 7.2). Pods may also be infected and the fungus can enter the seeds. Infected seeds are
characterized by the presence of round dark brown lesions. Infection from diseased seeds results
in a rot starting at the point of the seed attachment and advancing up the stem and down the tap
root. The stem lesion may extend to a point above the soil line and young fenugreek plants are
killed. Walker (1952) also confirms the seed-borne nature of this disease in pea, where it is carried in infected seeds and its overwinters in infected plants debris. Under UK conditions this
fungus in field beans is favoured by cool moisture situations and rapid spread can occur during
periods of rain, while in dry weather the disease may be confined to the lower part of the plant
(Anonymous, 1970). Petropoulos (1973) reports that Benlate treatment of fenugreek seeds
© 2002 Georgios A. Petropoulos
124
George Manicas
Figure 7.2 Fenugreek plants affected by the fungus Ascochyta sp., where the leaves have died and fallen
(Photo: G. Petropoulos).
protected the plants from primary infections, while frequent foliar sprays with Benlate protected
them from secondary infections. But in weather conditions favourable to the spread of the disease, plants either from healthy seeds or from those treated with Benlate, may prove unable to
control the Ascochyta, as low levels of disease can rapidly build up to produce an epidemic.
Variation in the sensitivity to attack by the Ascochyta sp. was found among four breeding
cultivars, where Morrocan cultivar was proved the most susceptible, while the Fluorescent and
Ethiopian ones the most tolerant (Petropoulos, 1973).
Pod spot (Heterosporium sp.)
This disease was investigated and described in fenugreek for the first time by Petropoulos
(1973), from the related literature it was found that only one species of Heterosporium was
recorded as infecting legumes, namely Heterosporium medicaginis, described as new by Karimov
(1956).
The symptoms of Heterosporium sp. in fenugreek as described by the first of the above investigators are dark brown or black spots with a dark olive velvety cover on the pods, and are seen at
the third stage of pod development. These spots, at the beginning, are elongated transversely
to the axis of the pod and as they spread on the surface of the pod become more rounded
(Figure 7.3). The same spots also occur on the base of the stem, while these are very rare on the
leaves (Figure 7.1). The mycelium of the fungus is not buried deeply in the epidermis of the pod
and the stem and appears to extend only into the first layers of the cells. There are no indications
of it entering the seeds. Pirone et al. (1960) mention that the Heterosporium fungi are generally
seed borne and hot-water treatment is a standard practice among seedsmen. Petropoulos (1973)
believes that the contamination of fenugreek seed by this fungus takes place only during threshing. The same investigator reports that there are indications that the inoculation of the fenugreek
© 2002 Georgios A. Petropoulos
Pests and diseases 125
cm
Figure 7.3 Dark brown and black spots of the fungus Heterosporium sp., spread on the surface of the
fenugreek pods (different stages of disease development: upper: severely infected, lower:
healthy) (Photo: G. Petropoulos).
seeds with Rhizobium increases the sensitivity of the plants to attacks by Heterosporium sp. and this
may be due to the tenderness of the inoculated plants, as this fungus does not seem to have a
high penetration ability.
Variation in the sensitivity to be attacked by this fungus was found among four evaluated
breeding cultivars, the Ethiopian and Fluorescent cultivars were proved the most susceptible,
while the Kenyan and the Moroccan were the most tolerant.
Bean Yellow Mosaic Virus (BYMV)
This virus is common in legumes, including fenugreek. According to Hill (1972) it is readily
transmitted by many aphid species and is non-persistent, making control by aphicides difficult.
On some legumes the virus has been recorded as being seed transmitted, although no actual
© 2002 Georgios A. Petropoulos
126
George Manicas
record of this in fenugreek has been made. The prevention of virus infections in plants is difficult
without isolating them from other virus hosts and from aphid vectors.
The main symptoms of BYMV infection in fenugreek is chlorosis and dwarfness (Petropoulos,
1973).
An experiment was carried out by the above worker, within the facilities of the Glasshouse
Crops Research Institute at Littlehampton, England (Brunt, 1972), in order to investigate the
severity of infection by BYMV and any tolerance to this virus by aphid and mechanical transmission, among four breeding fenugreek cultivars.
The conclusions drawn from these experiments are:
1
2
3
In the event of successful transmission of the BYMV on fenugreek plants severe symptoms
of dwarfness and chlorosis will occur, so the disease is very serious.
The resistance of the fenugreek cultivars to transmission of the virus by aphids, which is the
only mode of transmission in the field, is very favourable.
There are indications of some tolerance to this virus in the field in the case of Fluorescent
and Ethiopian cultivars.
References
Agrios, N.G. (1969) Plant Pathology, Academic Press, New York and London.
Anonymous (1968) Review of Applied Mycology, Plant Host–Pathogen Index, Commonwealth Mycological
Institution, Vols. 1–40, p. 410, Kew, Surrey, England.
Anonymous (1970) Short term leaflet 60, Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, USA.
Borg, P. (1936) Report of the plant pathologist. Rep. Insp. Agric. Malta, 35, 53–61.
Bremer, H. et al. (1952) Beiträge zur Kentnisse der parasitischen Pilze der Türkei VII. Rev. Fac. Sci. Univ.
Istambul, Sér. B, 227–88.
Brunt, A. (1972) Data results, Official Report to Bath University, Glasshouse Crops Research, Virology
Dept. Institute at Littlehampton, England.
Chopra, R.N., Badhwar, R.L. and Ghosh, S. (1965) Poisonous Plants of India, Vol. 1. Indian Council of
Agricutural Research, New Delhi.
Chupp, C. and Sherf, A.F. (1960) Vegetable Diseases and Their Control, Constable, London.
Ciccarone, A. (1952) Note fitopathologiche II. Segnalazione italiana della Trigonella (Trigonella
foenum-graecum L.). Ann. Sper. agr., N.S., 6, 165–8.
Duke, A.J. (1986) Handbook of Legumes of World Economic Importance, Plenum Press, New York and London.
Glaeser, G. (1961) Common leaf spot an autumn disease of lucerne. Pflanzenarat, 14(10), 88–9.
Gopal, S.K. and Maggon, T.A. (1971) Contribution to the physiology of Trigonella infected with Peronospora
trifoliorum. Biol. Plant, 13(5–6), 396–401.
Haque, S.P. and Ghaffar, A. (1992) Efficiency of Trichoderma sp. and Rhizobium meliloti in the control of root
rot of fenugreek. Pakistan Journal of Botany, 24(2), 217–21.
Hardman, R. (1979) Notes on the trial growing of fenugreek in the United Kingdom (unpublished data),
Bath University, England.
Hill, S.A. (1972) Official report to Bath University, National Agricultural Station, Bristol, England.
Hiremath, P.C., Anilkumar, T.B. and Sulodmath, V.V. (1976) Occurrence of collar rot of fenugreek in
Karnataka, India. Curr. Sci., 45, 405.
Hiremath, P.C., Ponnappa, K.M., Janardhan, A. and Sundaresh, H.N., (1978) Chemical control of colar rot
of fenugreek. Pesticides, 12, 30–1.
Karimov, M.A. (1956) Survey of fungal diseases of lucerne (Medicago sativa). Not. Syst. Sect. Crypt. Inst. Sci.,
USSR, 11, 118–31.
Leppik, E.E. (1959) World distribution of Cercospora traversiana. FAO Plant Prot. Bull., 8, 19–21.
Leppik, E.E. (1960) Cercospora traversiana and some other pathogens of fenugreek new to North America.
Plant Dis. Reptr., 44(1), 40–4.
© 2002 Georgios A. Petropoulos
Pests and diseases 127
Máthé, I. (1975) A Görögszéna, Trigonella foenum-graecum L. Magyarorszag III/2 Kulturfloraja 39,
Akademiai Kiado, Budapest.
Minz, G. and Solel, Z. (1959) New records of field crop diseases in Israel. Plant Dis. Rept., 43(9), 1051–9.
Nagy, F. et al., (1972) Cercospora traversiana Sacc., a görögszéna (Trigonella foenum-graecum L.) új kórokozója
Magyarországon és a védekezés Ichetöségei. Herba Hung., 11(3), 53–60.
Palti, J. (1956) Parasites of fenugreek. Hassedeh, 37(3), 232–3.
Palti, J. (1959) Oidiopsis diseases of vegetable and legume crops in Israel. Plant Dis. Report, 43(2), 221–6.
Payak, M.M. (1962) Natural occurrence of Gram rust in uredial stage in Trigonella polycerata L., in Simla
hills. Curr. Sci., 31(10), 433–4.
Petri, L. (1934) Review of Phytopathological records noted in 1933, Review of Applied Mycology, Vol. 13,
Kew, Surrey, UK.
Petropoulos, G.A. (1973) Agronomic Genetic and Chemical Studies of Trigonella foenum-graecum L., PhD
Thesis, Bath University, England.
Pirone, P., Dodge, B. and Rickett, H. (1960) Diseases and pests of ornamental plants, 3rd edn, Constable and
Company Ltd., London.
Prasad, C.K.P.S. and Hiremath, P.C. (1985) Varietal screening and chemical control foot-rot and dampingoff caused by Rhizoctonia solani. Pesticides, 19(5), 34–6.
Quantz, L. (1968). Leguminosen. In M. Klinkowsky (ed.), Pflanzliche Virologie, II, 2, Akademie Verlag,
Berlin.
Raian, F.S., Vedamuthu, P.G.B., Khader, M.P.A. and Jeyarajan, R. (1991) Management of root disease of
fenugreek. South Indian Horticulture, 39(4), 221–3.
Rouk, H.F. and Mangesha, H. (1963) Fenugreek (Trigonella foenum-graecum L.). Its relationship, geogaphy
and economic importance. Exper. Station Bull., No. 20, Emp. Ethiopian Coop. of Agr. and Mech. Arts.
Schmelzer, K. (1967) Hosts of potato virus Y and Potato etch. virus outside of Solanaceae. Phytopath. Z,
60(4), 301–15.
Schmelzer, K. and Wolf, P. (1971) Wirtspflanzen der Viren und Virosen Europas, Barth Verlag, Leipzig.
Sinskaya, E. (1961) Flora of cultivated plants of the U.S.S.R., XIII Perennial Legumious plants: Part I. Medic.
Sweet Clover, Fenugreek, Israel program for Scientific Translations, Jerusalem.
Ubrizsy, G. (1965) Növénykórtan II. Akad. Kiadó, Budapest.
Verum, L.L. Suchita, S., Pandek, K.P. and Singh, S.B. (1994) Influence of companion cropping of spices on
the incidence of early shoot borer (Chilo infuscatellus). Indian Sugar, 44(1), 21–2.
Vidamo, C. and Conti, M. (1965) Aphid transmission of a cowpea mosaic virus, isolated from cowpea in
Italy. Att. Acad. Sci., Torino, 99(6), 1041–50.
Walker, J.C. (1952) Diseases of Vegetable Crops, Mc Graw-Hill Book Co., Inc., London.
© 2002 Georgios A. Petropoulos
8
Weeds
C.N. Giannopolitis
Studies on weed interference and control in Trigonella spp. have been confined to one species,
T. foenum-graecum, which is the main cultivated species of the genus around the world.
Discussion in this chapter, therefore, will review results of research conducted so far in T. foenumgraecum grown mainly for seed production. Throughout the discussion, the name fenugreek, an
internationally accepted common name of the species, is used as it is more convenient.
Weed interference
Although fenugreek, as a crop, grows and reaches maturity in a relatively short period
(4–5 months), it is initially slow-growing and vulnerable to weed interference particularly
during the seed germination and seedling establishment phases. It is therefore necessary that
adequate control measures are applied to eliminate weed growth during these phases, if a good
crop stand is to be obtained.
Weeds interfere with the growth of fenugreek seedlings mainly by competing with them for
available nutrients and moisture and restricting available space. As well documented in
many crops (Zimdhal, 1980), final yield reduction because of weed competition is mainly
determined by:
1
2
3
The time and duration of competition. This means that yield reduction is greater
the earlier the weeds germinate and the longer they are left to compete with the crop.
The relative crop/weed plant density. Yield reduction increases as the weed density (plants
per square meter) becomes higher.
The relative (to the crop) competitive ability of the weeds present. Fast growing weeds that
reach high fresh weight values in a short time are very competitive.
Weed competition in fenugreek, therefore, can be very strong if there is a heavy infestation by
early-germinating annuals, or in the presence of highly competitive and fast-growing perennials.
On the other hand, fenugreek takes good advantage if sown in a field cleared of perennial weeds
and when placed in a crop rotation that reduces infestation from annuals.
From field trials in India (Tripathi and Govindra, 1993), it was concluded that the critical
crop–weed competition period extends over the first 30 days after sowing of fenugreek. Weeds
emerging during this period caused a yield reduction of 14.2 percent if they were removed soon
and a reduction of 69 percent if they were left for the entire cropping season. Weeds emerging
after the critical period of 30 days caused only a slight yield reduction (12 percent) and there was
no significant advantage in increasing the weed-free period beyond the first 30 days.
© 2002 Georgios A. Petropoulos
Weeds 129
Besides competition, certain weed species also have the potential to reduce fenugreek
germination and growth through allelopathy, that is, by inhibitory chemicals that they release
into the soil. Phenolic compounds and alkaloids that reduce seed germination or seedling
growth of fenugreek have been detected in leachates from Imperata cylindrica L. Beauv. (InderjitDakshini, 1991), Argemone mexicana L. (Leela, 1981) and other species. These results, however,
do not allow any estimation of the final impact that allelopathy may have on yield under field
conditions, and further research is needed.
Depending on the geographical region, the location, soil type and many other factors, a wide
spectrum of weed species may be found in fenugreek crops. Both winter and spring species may
be a problem. Of the winter species, plants of the Cruciferae family (e.g. Sinapis spp.) and other
Leguminosae (e.g. Melilotus spp., Trifolium spp., etc.) can be very troublesome. Of the spring
species, the early germinating broadleaves (e.g. Chenopodium spp.) and grasses (e.g. Poa annua,
Echinochloa crus-galli, Setaria spp.) can be serious, especially in spring-sown fenugreek. Perennial
species like Convolvulus arvensis, Cyperus rotundus, Cynodon dactylon etc., which are very difficult to
control, create a very bad situation for the grower, if present.
Parasitic flowering plants may occasionally be a problem. Orobanche indica Ham. was found to
parasitize the roots of fenugreek in India in fields of the Jaipur district where the weed density
ranged from 8–32 plants per square meter (Bhargava et al., 1976). Orobanche crenata Forsk., on
the other hand, does not parasitize fenugreek neither is it induced to germinate by fenugreek
root extracts (Khalaf, 1994).
Weed control
Prevention of weed competition during the critical period of the first 30–40 days after sowing
should be the primary objective of any weed control program in fenugreek.
Field trials in India have revealed that two hand hoeings during the critical period are, under
normal conditions, sufficient for a maximal seed yield. Maliwal and Gupta (1989) found that
hand hoeing on the twentieth and fortieth days after sowing raised the seed yield to a level practically equal to that of the weed-free check. Compared to the unweeded check, the two-hoeing
treatment more than doubled the yield and the increase was found to be connected with more
pods per plant, more seeds per pod and a higher thousand-grain-weight of the seeds. Similarly,
in field trials by Mandam and Maiti (1994), various weed control treatments increased the fenugreek seed yield from the unweeded check value of 0.88 t/ha to 0.96–1.2 t/ha. Hand weeding
twice, 15 and 30 days after sowing, resulted in the highest seed yield.
Hand weeding is difficult and expensive and very seldom used in modern agriculture.
However, by growing fenugreek as a row crop mechanical hoeing becomes a good alternative.
A superficial soil disturbance, usually 2–3 times during the critical period, can effectively eliminate weeds between the crop rows, if performed at the right time with the proper equipment.
Of course, it has to be supplemented with hand weeding on the rows. Other mechanical means
(brushers, flamers, etc.) can also be used between the rows.
Herbicides
Herbicides are an effective means for weed control in most crops, with a better benefit–cost ratio
than other methods. Some of the fundamental factors that must be considered when deciding on
the use of a herbicide are selectivity to the crop, efficacy in controlling the weed species expected
in the field and the risk of herbicide residues (above a permitted level) in the harvested product.
Research in fenugreek, so far, is far behind a thorough examination of these factors and only few
sound recommendations can be formulated on the basis of published data.
© 2002 Georgios A. Petropoulos
130
C.N. Giannopolitis
Richardson (1979) examined the tolerance of fenugreek to many herbicides applied
pre- and post-emergence in pot experiments. Post-emergence herbicides that were well tolerated
by fenugreek included bentazon, MCPB (Na salt), diclofop-methyl and alloxydim-Na.
Pre-emergence herbicides with good selectivity to fenugreek included chlorthal-dimethyl,
propyzamide, butam and propachlor as surface sprays and trifluralin, tri-allate and
chlorpropham as soil-incorporated treatments.
Tolerance of fenugreek to trifluralin and other dinitroaniline herbicides has been further
confirmed with field experiments, in which the efficacy evaluation of the herbicides was also
made. Fluchloralin at 3.0 kg/ha was found to be the best treatment (following the hand-weeding
treatment) by Mandam and Maiti (1994). Pendimethalin gave the best benefit–cost ratio in field
trials by Maliwal and Gupta (1989). Tolerance to bentazon has also been confirmed with field
experiments (Mandam and Maiti, 1994). Other herbicides may also be safe to be used for fenugreek, providing their selectivity is confirmed in the specific local conditions. Metamitron selectivity, for example, is marginal and seems to vary depending on the cultivar of fenugreek grown.
No selectivity problems are expected with the graminicides (e.g. diclofop, fluazifop-P,
quizalofop-P, sethoxydim, clethodim, etc.), which can be very useful for the post-emergence
control of annual and perennial grasses. A residue risk assessment is, however, needed with these
herbicides, especially in cases where fenugreek is used as a fresh vegetable or as a forage plant,
before their use is decided.
Another relevant aspect is the probability of damage to fenugreek by residues carried over in
the soil from herbicides used in previous crops. In a study in Egypt, fenugreek was found to be
the most susceptible crop out of six examined winter crops (wheat, barley, lentil, clover, broad
bean) to atrazine residues in the soil. The high sensitivity of fenugreek is also expected with
regard to residues from some of the sulfonylurea herbicides used in rotational crops.
Based on the best evidence available and the author’s experience, the following practical
recommendations can be made with regard to herbicide usage.
Pre-sowing treatments
The non-selective herbicides paraquat, glufosinate and glyphosate can be used before sowing to
reduce weed density in the field. If the seed bed is prepared and preirrigated, well in advance,
weeds will be forced to germinate before sowing and can be easily killed by spraying with the
lowest recommended rates of the above herbicides. Glyphosate is also useful in reducing density
of perennial weeds if used at higher rates during the period preceding that of fenugreek growing.
Pre-emergence treatments
A soil-acting herbicide that can selectively prevent emergence of weeds for at least a month
would be suitable. The dinitroaniline herbicides trifluralin, fluchloralin and pendimethalin
seem to be safe in most situations. The first two herbicides are applied shortly before sowing and
are incorporated into the soil. Pendimethalin is usually applied to the soil surface soon after sowing but it can also be used as a pre-sowing incorporated treatment when dry conditions are
expected. Other pre-emergence herbicides can also be used if they have been proven sufficiently
selective to the crop under local conditions.
Post-emergence treatments
A great variety of weed species is usally found in fenugreek crops and none of the pre-emergence
herbicides is sufficiently effective on all of them. The dinitroaniline herbicides, for example, are
© 2002 Georgios A. Petropoulos
Weeds 131
not effective on cruciferous weeds whereas other herbicides are weak on Amaranthus
spp., Chenopodium spp. or grass species (Giannopolitis, 1981). A supplemental post-emergence
treatment against escaping weeds may therefore be necessary.
Bentazon or MCPB, or a mixture of both, can be used against broadleaves and are usually
effective if used properly. Other post-emergence herbicides can also be used if their selectivity
has been established in the given local conditions.
A herbicide from the group of the specific graminicides (fluazifop-P, quizalofop-P, sethoxydim etc.) can be used against grass weeds provided that recommendations on the label for
residue avoidance are followed. The mixing of these herbicides with other herbicides for simultaneous control of grasses and broadleaves, may reduce the efficacy of both and should be avoided
(Giannopolitis, 1986).
Before using any of the herbicides mentioned in this chapter, local recommendations and restrictions should
be considered carefully.
References
Abdel-Rahman, G.A. (1996) Susceptibility of certain winter crops to atrazine herbicide and detoxification
by charcoal, organic manure and bioactive agents. Ann. Agric. Sci. Moshtohor, 34, 733–41.
Bhargava, L.P., Handa, D.K. and Mathur, B.N. (1976) Occurrence of Orobanche indica on Trigonella foenumgraecum and Physalis minima. Plant Dis. Rep., 60, 871–2.
Giannopolitis, C.N. (1981) Amaranthus weed species in Greece: dormancy, germination and response to
pre-emergence herbicides. Annales Institut Phytopathologique Benaki, 13, 80–91.
Giannopolitis, C.N. (1986) Antagonistic interaction of herbicides on Portulaca oleracea. Annales Institut
Phytopathologique Benaki, 15, 77–80.
Inderjit-Dakshini, K.M.M. (1991) Investigations on some aspects of chemical ecology of cogongrass,
Imperata cylindrica (L.) Beauv. J. Chem. Ecol., 17, 343–52.
Khalaf, K.A. (1994) Intercropping fenugreek with faba bean or Egyptian clover: prospects for Orobanche
crenata control. In A.H. Pieterse, J.A.C. Verkleij and S.J. ter Borg (eds), Biology and Management of
Orobanche, Proceedings of the 3rd International Workshop on Orobanche and Related Striga Research, Amsterdam,
The Netherlands, Royal Tropical Institute, pp. 502–4.
Leela, D. (1981) Allelopathy in Argemone mexicana L. Proceedings of the 8th Asian-Pacific Weed Science Society
Conference, pp. 401–4.
Maliwal, P.L. and Gupta, O.P. (1989) Study of the effect of four herbicides with and without applied phosphorous on weed control and seed yield of fenugreek (Trigonella foenum-graecum L.). Trop. Pest Manage., 35,
307–10.
Mandam, A.R. and Maiti, R.G. (1994) Efficacy of different herbicides for weed control in fenugreek
(Trigonella foenum-graecum L.). Environ. Ecol., 12, 138–42.
Richardson, W.G. (1979) The tolerance of fenugreek (Trigonella foenum-graecum L.) to various herbicides.
Technical Report No. 58, Agricultural Research Council, WRO, p. 31.
Tripathi, S.S. and Govindra, S. (1993) Crop-weed competition studies in fenugreek (Trigonella foenumgraecum L.). Proceedings of the Indian Society Weed Science, International Symposium, Hisar (India), 18–20
Nov. 1993, Vol. II, pp. 41–3.
Zimdahl, R.L. (1980) Weed-Crop Competition – A Review. International Plant Protection Center, Oregon
State University, Corvallis, Oregon, p. 195.
© 2002 Georgios A. Petropoulos
9
Chemical constituents
Helen Skaltsa
Introduction
Trigonella foenum-graecum L., grown in many parts of Europe, Asia and Africa as a food (fresh
green shoots, flour), spice (seeds, flour) and for use in native medicine, was already known by the
ancient Egyptians and Greeks.
The greek name of the plant is “telis”, which means green (Carnoy, 1959). The Romans
learned from the Greeks that this plant of Oriental origin, used as a fodder, from which its name
of “greek hay” is derived (André, 1956).
The biological and pharmacological actions of fenugreek are attributed to the variety of its
constituents, namely: steroids, N-compounds, polyphenolic substances, volatile constituents,
amino acids, etc.
Fenugreek seeds contain c. 6.2 percent moisture, 23.2 percent protein, 8 percent fat, 9.8
percent fiber, 26.3 percent mucilaginous material (see Chapter 3) and 4.3 percent ash. Whole
grain is reported to contain (per 100 g of edible portion): 369 calories, 7.8 percent moisture,
28.2 g protein, 5.9 g fat, 54.5 g total carbohydrate, 8 g fiber, 3.6 g ash. Its flour contains 375
calories, c. 9.9 percent moisture, 25.5 g protein, 8.4 g fat, 53.1 g total carbohydrate, 7.1 g fiber,
3.1 g ash. Raw leaves contain 35 calories, c. 87.6 percent moisture, 4.6 g protein, 0.2 g fat, 6.2 g
total carbohydrate, 1.4 g fiber, 1.4 g ash (Duke 1986).
Chemical constituents of other species, which have already been studied, are also described.
Steroids
Trigonella foenum-graecum L.
Common fenugreek is one of the few natural sources of the steroid sapogenin due to its seed content of diosgenin (Figure 9.1). The seeds have received extensive investigations by different
research groups.
The C27 steroidal sapogenin diosgenin (⌬5, 25-spirostan-3-ol) is of considerable economic
importance to the pharmaceutical industry as a starting material for the partial synthesis of oral
contraceptives, sex hormones and other medicinally useful steroids. Diosgenin has been
extracted traditionally from the tubers of the Mexican and Asian species of yam, Dioscorea.
However, an increased demand for raw steroid led the industries to look for an alternative source
of diosgenin and other precursors.
Several investigators proposed fenugreek seeds as an alternative source for diosgenin (Marker
et al., 1947; Fazli and Hardman, 1968; Bhatnagar et al., 1975). Hardman has proposed that
fenugreek could be developed as a more widely grown multipurpose legume affording a cultivated source of diosgenin with its equally acceptable epimer, yamogenin (II) (Figure 9.1).
© 2002 Georgios A. Petropoulos
Chemical constituents
133
R1
R2
O
O
R3
HO
R1
H
CH3
H
CH3
I
II
V
VI
R2
CH3
H
CH3
H
R3
H
H
OH
OH
Diosgenin
Yamogenin
Yuccagenin
Lilagenin
R1
R2
O
O
R3
HO
H
R1
H
CH3
H
CH3
III
IV
VII
VIII
R2
CH3
H
CH3
H
R3
H
H
OH
OH
Tigogenin
Neotigogenin
Gitogenin
Neogitogenin
R1
O
R2
O
HO
IX
X
H
R1
H
CH3
R2
CH3
H
Sarsapogenin
Smilagenin
Figure 9.1 Chemical structures of sapogenins.
The genins of fenugreek seed have been the subject of somewhat contradictory reports.
Soliman and Mustafa (1943) reported the presence of a steroidal sapogenin in the alcoholic
extract hydrolysate of the fenugreek seed. Marker et al. (1943) in the course of plant studies
for new sources of steroidal sapogenins extracted the same sapogenin from the seed and identified it as diosgenin (I). Shortly afterwards, Marker et al. (1947) described the sapogenin mixture,
which they obtained from powdered fenugreek seed, as being made up mostly of
© 2002 Georgios A. Petropoulos
134
Helen Skaltsa
diosgenin (yield about 1.0 g/kg dry seed) along with gitogenin (Figure 9.1) (5, 25-spirostan2, 3-diol) (VII) (Figure 9.1) (0.1 g/kg dry seed) and traces of tigogenin (5, 25-spirostan3-ol) (III) (Figure 9.1). Soliman and Mustafa (1949) reported once again on the steroidal
sapogenins of fenugrek seed, and confirmed Marker’s findings with respect to the presence of
diosgenin and gitogenin, but they did not mention tigogenin. Moreover, Soliman described
another sapogenin he isolated in appreciable amounts from the mixture and assuming it to be
new, named it trigonellagenin. Bedour et al. (1964), using defatted and powdered seed reported
the isolation of diosgenin, gitogenin, tigogenin and a fourth product identical to 25-spirosta3,5-diene (c. 20 percent of the weight of diosgenin), which they suggested to be an artifact of
diosgenin, produced during the acid hydrolytic processing of natural saponins, but they failed to
find trigonellagenin.
Varshney and Sharma (1966) reported only diosgenin and gitogenin. Fazli (1967) reported,
besides the forementioned sapogenins, the isolation from fenugreek seed of yamogenin, the
25-epimer of diosgenin. He mentioned, also, a higher level of diene (50 percent of the weight
of diosgenin).
Shortly afterwards, one more sapogenin, neogitogenin (VIII) (Figure 9.1) was isolated from
Western Pakistan and Moroccan fenugreek seeds (Fazli and Hardman, 1971). A trace of
tigogenin was detected by TLC from Moroccan seed only. Gitogenin was found only in the seed
of both specimens. Trigonellagenin, previously mentioned by Soliman and Mustafa was considered to be a mixture of the major sapogenins, namely, diosgenin and yamogenin (Fazli and
Hardman, 1971).
The total sapogenin content of the whole seed of fenugreek was 1.27 percent (25-epimers,
62 percent and 25-epimers, 38 percent) for the W. Pakistan seed and 1.50 percent (both
epimers equal) for the Moroccan seed (Fazli and Hardman, 1971).
Dawidar and Fayez (1972) studied the sapogenin makeup of the plant at various stages
of growth along with the different parts of the seeds and they revealed that the seedlings
have the highest diosgenin (and other steroid sapogenin) content compared to all other
stages of growth. Shortly afterwards, Dawidar et al. (1973) reinvestigated the fenugreek
seeds grown in Egypt and reported for the first time the presence of neotigogenin (IV)
(Figure 9.1).
Depending on the geographical source of the seed its sapogenin content, calculated as diosgenin, varied from 0.8–2.2 percent expressed on a moisture free basis (Fazli and Hardman,
1968). The highest sapogenin content was found in an Ethiopian sample and the lowest in
a sample from Israel.
Fenugreek seed contains no free sapogenin but complex precursors, since frequently
sapogenins occur in the plant as furostanol glycosides from which spirostanol glycosides are
secondarily formed (Sauvaire and Baccou, 1978).
These glycosides (saponins) are limited to the fixed-oil containing embryo, but absent from
the seed coats, namely the testa and the mucilage containing endosperm. The fenugreek seed is
hard, flattened, brown to reddish-brown with a more or less parallel epipedal, without rounded
edges. The widest surfaces are marked by a groove that divides the seed into two unequal parts.
The smaller part contains the radicle, the larger part contains the cotyledons.
Saponins are not directly in association with the stored fat, but rather with the cell wall material and as free saponin in the circulatory system of the plant thus effecting easy transportation of
the steroid and protecting the latter (Fazli and Hardman, 1971). Glycoside formation involving
the cell wall (Blunden et al., 1965; Hardman and Sofowora, 1971) may well be a method of
steroid storage in the plant and of controlling excess steroid, thus preventing its interference in
normal cellular mechanisms (Fazli and Hardman, 1971).
Sapogenins are released only after enzymic or acid hydrolysis (Blunden and Hardman, 1963).
© 2002 Georgios A. Petropoulos
Chemical constituents
135
The sapogenins available by the acid hydrolysis of fenugreek seeds are mainly the monohydroxysapogenins, diosgenin ([25 R]-spirost-5-en-3-ol) and its (25S)-epimer yamogenin in
a ratio of about 3 : 2. About 10 percent of their weight is a mixture of the two corresponding
5-saturated monohydroxysapogenins, tigogenin and neotigogenin. In addition to these
four sapogenins, there are very small percentages of each of their corresponding 2-hydroxy derivatives, namely yuccagenin (V) (Figure 9.1), lilagenin (VI) (Figure 9.1), gitogenin and neogitogenin, respectively (Cornish et al., 1983). Sarsapogenin (IX) (Figure 9.1) and smilagenin
(X) (Figure 9.1) were also isolated from the hydrolyzed seed. (Gupta et al., 1986b) All these
substances have a common cyclopentanoperhydro-phenanthrenic structure with twenty-seven
carbon atoms and six rings.
Depending on the configuration of C25, the 3, 26-biglycosides of the ⌬5-furostene type afford
on hydrolysis diosgenin and yamogenin; the 5-furostan type afford tigogenin and neotigogenin; the 5-furostan type yield sarsapogenin or smilagenin, while the 2, 5-furostan type
yield neogitogenin or gitogenin.
Also precursors of the type 3-peptide ester, 26-glucosides of ⌬5-furostene presumably exist
from the evidence of the corresponding spirostene ester, fenugreekine (Ghosal et al., 1974). On
acid hydrolysis, it afforded diosgenin, yamogenin, (25R)-spirosta-3,5-diene, a mixture of three
isomeric (2S,3R,4R-, 2S,3R,4S-, 2S,3S,4R-)-4-hydroxyisoleucine lactones (in a ratio of about
25 : 20 : 55, respectively), 4⬘-hydroxyisoleucine lactone and a C14-dipeptide, which was partially
characterized. Fenugreekine shows a number of interesting pharmacological activities (diuretic,
cardiotonic, hypoglycemic, hypotensive, viristat against vaccinia virus and anti-inflammatory
actions; Ghosal et al., 1974; Che, 1991; Duke, 1992), which would account for the reported
therapeutic uses of fenugreek in native medicine.
Fenugreek seeds mainly contain steroids of the 25S series, but during acid hydrolysis some of
these are converted into the 25 R-spirostanes (Bogacheva et al., 1976b).
The following furostanol glycosides have been isolated from the fenugreek seed: trigonelloside C (Figure 9.2) [(yamogenin) 3-O--L-rhamnopyranosyl(1 → 4) [-L-rhamnopyranosyl
(1 → 2)]--D-glucopyranoside 26-O--D-glucopyranoside] (Bogacheva et al., 1976a, 1977a); its
22-O-methyl ether (Bogacheva et al., 1977a); (neotigogenin) 3-O--L-rhamnopyranosyl (1 → 2)
[-D-glucopyranosyl (1 → 3)]--D-glucopyranoside 26-O--D-glucopyranoside, as its 22-Omethyl ether (Figure 9.2) (Hardman et al., 1980); trigofoenosides A–G as their methyl ethers
A1–G1 (Gupta et al., 1984; 1985a,b; 1986a).
The structures of the original trigofoenosides have been determined as:
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
(yamogenin) 3-O--L-rhamnopyranosyl(1 → 2)--D-glucopyranoside 26-O--D-glucopyranoside (A) (Figure 9.3) (Gupta et al., 1985a);
(neogitogenin) 3-O--L-rhamnopyranosyl(1 → 4)--D-glucopyranoside 26-O--Dglucopyranoside (B) (Figure 9.4) (Gupta et al., 1986a);
(gitogenin)
3-O--L-rhamnopyranosyl(1→ 4)-[-L-rhamnopyranosyl(1 → 2)]--Dglucopyranoside 26-O--D-glucopyranoside (C) (Figure 9.4) (Gupta et al., 1986a);
(yamogenin)
3-O--L-rhamnopyranosyl(1 → 2)-[-D-glucopyranosyl(1 → 3)]--Dglucopyranoside 26-O--D-glucopyranoside (D) (Figure 9.3) (Gupta et al., 1985a);
(tigogenin)
3-O--L-rhamnopyranosyl
(1 → 2)-[-D-xylopyranosyl(1 → 4)]--Dglucopyranoside 26-O--D-glucopyranoside (E) (Figure 9.4) (Gupta et al., 1985b);
(diosgenin) 3-O--L-rhamnopyranosyl (1 → 2)--D-glucopyranosyl (1 → 6)-Dglucopyranoside 26-O--D-glucopyranoside (F) (Figure 9.3) (Gupta et al., 1984); and
(diosgenin) 3-O--L-rhamnopyranosyl(1 → 2)-[-D-xylopyranosyl(1→ 4)]--D-glucopyranosyl(1 → 6)-D-glucopyranoside 26-O--D-glucopyranoside (G) (Figure 9.3) (Gupta
et al., 1984).
© 2002 Georgios A. Petropoulos
136
Helen Skaltsa
Me
OH
Me
CH2OR2
Me
O
Me
R1O
HOH2C
O
CH3
HO
R1 =
O
HO
O
HO
O
O
OH CH3
HO
HO
OH
OH
R2 =
HO
OH
CH2OH
O
trigonelloside C (asparasaponin I)
Me
Me
OH
Me
CH2OR2
O
Me
R1O
H
25-Me: axial
R1 =
HOH2C
HO
HO
HOH2C
HO
O
O
O
O
OH
O
CH3
HO
HO
OH
OH
R2 =
HO
O
OH
CH2OH
Figure 9.2 Chemical structures of asparasaponin I and compound XII.
These furostanol glycosides appeared as a pair comprising the hydroxy- and methoxycompounds. It has been observed that the furostanol glycosides when extracted with methanol
undergo methylation yielding a mixture of 22-hydroxy and 22-methoxy derivatives (Tschesche
et al., 1972). In order to confirm that the 22-methoxy derivatives are probable artifacts, Gupta
et al. (1984) studied a separate extraction with pyridine and found that the 22-methoxy
compounds were completely absent.
© 2002 Georgios A. Petropoulos
Chemical constituents
OH
20
22
O
137
Me
25 CH2OR3
3
RO
R
R1
HOH2C
HO
R1O
OH
CH3
O
HO
HO
HOH2C
HO
R1O
O
O
trigofoenoside A
OH
25-Me: axial
CH2OH
OH
OH
HO
-D-glucopyranoside
O
trigofoenoside D
OH
25-Me: axial
CH2OH
OH
O
OH
CH2
CH3
O HO
HO
HO
HO
OH
HOH2C
R 2O
HO
O
O
CH3
O
HO
HO
O
HO
H
O
O
R3
O
O
HOH2C
R2O
HO
R2
H
HO
-D-xylopyranoside
HO
O
O
trigofoenoside F
OH
CH2OH 25-Me: equatorial
OH
O
OH
CH2
CH3
O
HO
HO
HO
HO
OH
O
O
trigofoenoside G
OH
CH2OH 25-Me: equatorial
OH
Figure 9.3 Chemical structures of trigofoenosides A, D, F, G.
Six furostanol glycosides called trigoneosides Ia, Ib, IIa, IIb, IIIa, IIIb were isolated from
fenugreek seed originating from India, together with two known saponins, trigofoenoside A and
its 25-R epimer, glycoside D (Yoshikawa et al., 1997). Their structures were determined as:
–
–
–
26-O--D-glucopyranosyl-(25S)-5-furostane-2,3,22,26-tetraol 3-O-[(-D-xylopyranosyl)(1 → 6)]--D-glucopyranoside (trigofoenoside Ia) (Figure 9.5); and its 25R-epimer
(trigofoenoside Ib) (Figure 9.6);
26-O--D-glucopyranosyl-(25S)-5-furostane-3,22,26-triol 3-O-[(-D-xylopyranosyl)
(1 → 6)]--D-glucopyranoside (trigofoenoside IIa) (Figure 9.5); and its 25R-epimer
(trigofoenoside IIb) (Figure 9.6);
26-O--D-glucopyranosyl-(25S)-5-furostane-3,22,26-triol 3-O-[(-L-rhamnopyranosyl)(1 → 2)]--D-glucopyranoside (trigofoenoside IIIa) (Figure 9.5); and its 25R-epimer
(trigofoenoside IIIb) (Figure 9.6).
© 2002 Georgios A. Petropoulos
Me
OH
20
25 CH2OR2
22
O
X 2
3
RO
X
H
R
HOH2C
O HO
OH
O
HOH2C
O HO
H
OH
CH2OH
O
OH
-L-rhamnopyranoside
OR1
HOH2C
O
HO
O
HO
HO
OH
O
HO
O
CH3
HO
HO
OH
O
Figure 9.4 Chemical structures of trigofoenosides B, C, E.
OH
21
22
O
3
RO
4
X
OH
HO
HO
H
5
R
HO
HO
O
R1
O
OH
CH2
O
HO
HO
OH
O
OH
CH2OH
O
trigoneoside Ia
OH
HO
OH
CH2OH
trigoneoside IIa
OH
CH2OH
trigoneoside IIIa
O
O
OH
O
H
OH
HO
O
OH
CH2
O
HO
HO
OH
HOH2C
HO
HO
H
25 CH2OR1
1
2
O
CH3
HO
HO
OH
HO
O
Figure 9.5 Chemical structures of trigoneosides Ia, IIa, IIIa.
© 2002 Georgios A. Petropoulos
trigofoenoside C
OH
CH2OH 25-Me: equatorial
O
O
OH
X
trigofoenoside B
25-Me: axial
O
CH3
O
HO
HO
OH
HO
HO
OH
H
OR1
CH3
O
HO
HO
OH
OH
R2
R1
trigofoenoside E
OH
CH2OH 25-Me: equatorial
Chemical constituents
21
OH
H
25 CH2OR1
22
O
1
2
X
3
RO
5
4
X
R
HO
HO
OH
HO
HO
H
139
O
R1
O
OH
CH2
O
HO
HO
OH
O
trigoneoside Ib
OH
HO
OH
CH2OH
trigoneoside IIb
OH
CH2OH
trigoneoside IIIb
O
O
OH
O
H
OH
CH2OH
O
O
OH
CH2
O
HO
HO
OH
HOH2C
HO
HO
OH
HO
O
CH3
HO
HO
OH
HO
O
Figure 9.6 Chemical structures of trigoneosides Ib, IIb, IIIb.
Acid hydrolysis of trigoneosides Ia–IIIa furnished the (25S)-aglycones neogitogenin,
sarsapogenin and neotigogenin, while acid hydrolysis of trigoneosides Ib–IIIb furnished their
25R-epimers, namely, gitogenin, smilagenin and tigogenin, respectively (Yoshikawa et al.,
1997).
Further investigation of the Indian fenugreek seeds led to the isolation of seven new furostanol
saponins, called trigoneosides IVa, Va, Vb, VI, VIIb, VIIIb, IX along with the known furostanol
saponins, compound C, glycoside F (Figure 9.9) and trigonelloside C (Figure 9.2). The structures
of six of these furostanol saponins were assigned as follows (Yoshikawa et al., 1998):
–
–
–
–
26-O--D-glucopyranosyl-(25S)-furost-5-ene-3,22,26-triol 3-O-[-L-rhamnopyranosyl
(1 → 2)][-D-glucopyranosyl (1 → 4)]--D-glucopyranoside (trigoneoside IVa) (Figure 9.7);
26-O--D-glucopyranosyl-(25S)-furost-5-ene-3,22,26-triol 3-O-{-L-rhamnopyranosyl
(1 → 2)} {[-D-xylopyranosyl (1→ 4)] [-D-glucopyranosyl (1→ 6)]--D-glucopyranosyl
(1→ 3)--D-glucopyranosyl (1→ 4)}--D-glucopyranoside (trigoneoside Va) (Figure 9.7);
and its 25R-epimer (trigoneoside Vb) (Figure 9.7);
26-O--D-glucopyranosyl-furost-5, 25(27)-diene-3,22,26-triol 3-O-{-L-rhamnopyranosyl(1→ 2)} {[-D-xylopyranosyl (1→ 4)] [-D-glucopyranosyl (1→ 6)]--D-glucopyranosyl (1→ 3)--D-glucopyranosyl (1→ 4)]}--D-glucopyranoside (trigoneoside VI)
(Figure 9.7);
26-O--D-glucopyranosyl-(25R)-furost-5-ene-3,22,26-triol 3-O-{-L-rhamnopyranosyl)(1→ 2)} {[-D-xylopyranosyl (1→ 4)] [-D-xylopyranosyl (1→ 6)]--D-glucopyranosyl (1→ 3)--D-glucopyranosyl (1→ 4)}--D-glucopyranoside (trigoneoside VIIb)
(Figure 9.7);
© 2002 Georgios A. Petropoulos
OH
22
HOH2C
HOH2C
O
HO
O
OH
HO
O
O
HO
HO
OH
25
O
O
O 3
5
O
O
CH3
HO
OH
OH
trigoneoside IVa
OH
OH
O
R1O
O
HO
OH
CH2OH
O
trigoneoside Va
OH
OH
O
R1O
O
OH
CH2OH
HO
O
trigoneoside Vb
OH
OH
O
R1O
O
HO
OH
CH2OH
O
trigoneoside VI
OH
OH
O
R2O
O
HO
OH
CH2OH
O
trigoneoside VIIb
OH
OH
O
R1O
Figure 9.7 (Continued)
© 2002 Georgios A. Petropoulos
H
O
trigoneoside VIIIb
HO
O
OH
CH2OH
OH
CH2OH
Chemical constituents
HOH2C
O
HO
HO
R1
HO
HO
O
O
OH
HOH2C
O
HO
HOH2C
O
O
O HO
OH
OH
OH
O
O
OH
OH
O
HO
HO
R2
O
O
HO
CH3
HO
HO
HO
141
O
O
OH
O HO
OH
HOH2C
O
HO
HOH2C
O
O
OH
O
O
HO
OH
O
CH3
HO
O
OH
OH
Figure 9.7 Chemical structures of trigoneosides IVa, Va, Vb, VI, VIIb, VIIIb.
–
26-O--D-glucopyranosyl-(25R)-5-furostane-3,22,26-triol 3-O-{-L-rhamnopyranosyl
(1→ 2)} {[-D-xylopyranosyl (1→ 4)] [-D-glucopyranosyl (1→ 6)]--D-glucopyranosyl
(1→ 3)--D-glucopyranosyl (1→ 4)}--D-glucopyranoside (trigoneoside VIIIb)
(Figure 9.7).
The structure of trigoneoside IX has not yet been elucidated.
Recently, six new furastanol glycosides called trigoneosides Xa, Xb, XIb, XIIa, XIIb
and XIIIa were isolated from the seeds of the Egyptian T. foenum-graecum L. together with the six
known furostanol-type steroid saponins: trigoneosides Ia (Figure 9.5), Ib (Figure 9.6) and
Va (Figure 9.7), trigonelloside C (Figure 9.2), glycoside D (Figure 9.9) and compound C
(Figure 9.9) (Murakami et al., 2000).
The structures of the new furastanol glycosides were determined as:
–
–
–
–
26-O--D-glucopyranosyl-(25S)-5-furostane-2,3,22,26-tetraol 3-O--L-rhamnopyranosyl (1→ 2)--D-glucopyranoside (trigoneoside Xa) (Figure 9.8); and its 25R-epimer
(trigoneoside Xb) (Figure 9.8);
26-O--D-glucopyranosyl-(25R)-5-furostane-2,3,22,26-tetraol 3-O--D-xylopyranosyl (1→ 4)--D-glucopyranoside (trigoneoside XIb) (Figure 9.8);
26-O--D-glucopyranosyl-(25S)-furost-4-ene-3,22,26-triol 3-O--L-rhamnopyranosyl
(1→ 2)--D-glucopyranoside (trigoneoside XIIa) (Figure 9.8); and its 25R-epimer (trigoneoside XIIb) (Figure 9.8);
26-O--D-glucopyranosyl-(25S)-furost-5-ene-3,22,26-triol 3-O--L-rhamnopyranosyl
(1→ 2)-[-D-glucopyranosyl (1→ 3)--D-glucopyranosyl (1→ 4)]--D-glucopyranoside
(trigoneoside XIIIa) (Figure 9.8).
Seven spirostanol saponins have also been isolated from the fenugreek seeds, which were
named graecunins H–N. All are glycosides of diosgenin with different sugar moieties.
Graecunins H, I, J and K contain varying amounts of glucose and rhamnose, whereas graecuninN contains glucose, arabinose, xylose and rhamnose. Partial structures were assigned to some of
these glycosides (Varshney and Begs, 1978).
© 2002 Georgios A. Petropoulos
OH
26
25
O
O
OH
CH2OH
O
2
HO
HOH2C
OH
HO
O
HO
HO
O 3
H
O
O
CH3
HO
OH
OH
trigoneoside Xa
OH
25
26
O
O
OH
HO
OH
CH2OH
O
HO 2
HOH2C
HO
HO
O
O 3
H
O
O
CH3
HO
OH
trigoneoside Xb
OH
OH
OH
O
O
HO
HO
O
HOH2C
OH
O
HO
HO
HO
O
2
O
O 3
OH
H
trigoneoside XIb
OH
25
O
HOH2C
26
HO
O
OH
OH
CH2OH
O
O
HO
HO
O
O
CH3
HO
OH
O
trigoneoside XIIa
OH
OH
25
O
HOH2C
O
HO
HO
O
O
CH3
O
HO
OH
OH
Figure 9.8 (Continued)
© 2002 Georgios A. Petropoulos
trigoneoside XIIb
26
HO
O
OH
O
OH
CH2OH
OH
CH2OH
Chemical constituents
OH
O
HOH2C
HO
HO
HOH2C
O HO
O
HOH2C
O
OH HO
O
143
OH
O
HO
O
OH
CH2OH
O
O
OH
O
O
CH3
HO
OH
OH
trigoneoside XIIIa
Figure 9.8 Chemical structures of trigoneosides Xa, Xb, XIb, XIIa, XIIb, XIIIa.
A saponin, named fenugrin B, was also obtained from the fenugreek seed. This compound, on
acid hydrolysis, gave diosgenin and the sugars: glucose, arabinose and rhamnose (Gangrade and
Kaushal, 1979).
From fenugreek leaves five spirostanol saponins have been isolated and named graecunin-B,
-C, -D, -E and -G. Two trace compounds, named graecunin-A and -F, were also isolated in too
small amounts to characterize them (Varshney and Jain, 1979; Varshney et al., 1984).
Graecunin-E and graecunin-G have been shown to be (diosgenin) 3-O--D-glucopyranosyl
(1→ 4) -D-glucopyranosyl (1→ 2) -L-rhamnosyl (1→ 6) -D-glucopyranoside and
(diosgenin) 3-O--D-glucopyranosyl (1→ 2) -L-rhamnopyranosyl (1→ 6) -D-glucopyranoside,
respectively (Varshney et al., 1984). Partial structures were assigned to the other glycosides.
Graecunin B (Varshney et al., 1977; Varshney and Jain, 1979; Varshney et al., 1984) and
D (Varshney and Jain, 1979; Varshney et al., 1984) contained glucose, xylose and rhamnose in
the molar ratio 4 : 1 : 2 and 4 : 1 : 1, respectively. Graecunin C (Varshney and Jain, 1979;
Varshney et al., 1984) contained glucose and rhamnose in the molar ratio 4 : 1.
Oils obtained by the separate extraction of the powdered dried leaf, stem and root from
Moroccan plants yielded, after saponification, squalane-like hydrocarbons and -sitosterol, but
no free sapogenin or spirostadiene. Acid hydrolysis of the defatted powdered leaf yielded 25and 25-spirosta-3,5-diene and a 1 : 1 mixture of diosgenin and yamogenin. Stem and root,
when similarly treated, showed the same steroids in trace amounts. Gitogenin was not detected
in the leaf, stem or root (found only in the seed) (Fazli and Hardman, 1971).
The increase in the yield of steroidal sapogenin from fresh and dried plant material on its
incubation with water under defined conditions has been reported (Blunden and Hardman,
1963; Blunden and Hardman, 1965; Hardman and Brain, 1971; Hardman and Sofowora, 1971;
Hardman and Wood, 1971a; Hardman and Wood, 1971b). Blunden et al. (1965) showed that
large increases in sapogenin yield could be obtained by incubating harvested plant material from
various species and morphological parts in an excess of water. The process was enzymic and the
endogenous enzymes could be replaced, at least partly, by cell wall degrading enzymes. The
phenomenon occurs irrespective of the nature of the sapogenin, the nature of the tissue and of
the plant genus.
The work has been extended to the sapogenin yielding capacity of the fenugreek seed, when
the endogenous enzymes are allowed to function alone or in the presence of an additive. Aqueous
incubation at 37⬚C (tropical temperature) prior to acid hydrolysis resulted in an increase of only
10 percent on average, which could be attributed to the release of the sapogenin by the enhanced
activation of the endogenous enzyme system of the seed. The addition of mevalonate or cholesterol did not result in an increase in sapogenin (Hardman and Fazli, 1972b).
© 2002 Georgios A. Petropoulos
144
Helen Skaltsa
OH
26
25
O
O
HOH2C
HO
HO
OH
HO
O
OH
CH2OH
O
O
O
CH3
HO
O
OH
glycoside D
OH
OH
22
O
O
HOH2C
HO
HO
HOH2C
O
OH HO
O
OH
25
HO
OH
CH2OH
O
O
O 3
5
O
CH3
HO
O
OH
glycoside F
OH
OH
22
O
CH3
HO
HOH2C
O
OH HO
O
OH
25
O
HO
O
OH
CH2OH
O
O
O
CH3
HO
O
OH
OH
compound C
Figure 9.9 Chemical structures of glycoside D, glycoside F and compound C.
The optimal incubation conditions prior to acid hydrolysis for a high yield of sapogenin
(0.90 percent) of fenugreek whole seed were estimated to be: temperature 45⬚C, initial pH 4.0
with aeration and shaking for 4 days (Elujoba and Hardman, 1985a). If the seeds are ground,
the yields decrease to 0.50 percent. This reduced yield could be due to the increased binding
of sapogenins in the seed during the grinding process. The seed constituents (e.g. aminoacids,
proteins, mucilage, etc.), which otherwise are separately located in the seed, during grinding
come in close contact with furostanol glycosides thus resulting in the additional production
of acid-resistant “bound” forms of sapogenin. A higher yield (up to 1.65 percent) is obtained if
the ground seeds are incubated with enzymes (Elujoba and Hardman, 1985b).
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Hardman and Brain (1971) reported that incubation of the whole seed of T. foenum-graecum L.
with their synthetic or natural plant growth regulators increased the sapogenin yield by up to
35 percent. The process is concentration and time dependent. The variation in the steroid levels
and distribution of these compounds with alteration in medium composition and culture age
have been investigated in tissue cultures (Brain and Lockwood, 1976; Lockwood and Brain,
1976; Hardman and Stevens, 1978). It can be concluded that the nature of the growth hormone
produces significant differences in the yield of monohydroxysapogenin and individual sterols.
Since cholesterol, or a closely related compound, has been implicated in sapogenin biosynthesis,
one cholesterol-blocking agent, such as 2-( p-chloro-phenoxy) 2-methyl-propionic acid ethyl
ester, was incubated with the whole fenugreek seed up to 24 h. The subsequent observed increase
was about 20 percent. The phenoxyacetic acids are thought to act like the natural plant auxin
indole-3-acetic acid (IAA), possibly by prevention of the destruction of the endogenous hormone. Incubation with fenugreek gave rises in the total sapogenin of about 35 percent after 24 h.
Hardman and Brain (1972) studied the variation in the yield of total and individual 25- and
25-sapogenins on storage of whole fenugreek seed. Total sapogenin yield under experimental
conditions (except for samples stored at 5⬚C) showed a decline over about 50 days, followed by
a rise and fall. The initial decline in the total sapogenin was due in all cases to a selective loss of
the 25-form.
Sauvaire and Baccou (1978) investigated the conditions (nature and concentration of the acid
and solvents, as well as the ratio between quantity of substrate and volume of hydrolyzing solution) for an efficient acid hydrolysis of steroidal glycosides resulting in a high yield of diosgenin
and avoiding formation of spirosta-3,5-diene.
The following methods of detection for steroidal sapogenins in plant material provided from
the genus Trigonella were applied: blood hemolysis, color reaction, infrared spectrophotometric
assay and thin layer chromatography (Fazli and Hardman, 1968; Hardman and Jefferies, 1971;
Hardman and Fazli, 1972a; Dawidar and Fayez, 1972).
A rapid quantitative determination of C25 epimers in plants was described as both occur in
plant tissue (depending on their ratio from a number of factors, e.g. morphological part, stage
of development etc.). Prior to an in situ hydrolysis of the saponin by aqueous hydrolytic acid
and a chloroform extraction, the measurement of the specific spirostan absorption and calculation of the absorbance of the bands at 915 cm⫺1 and 900 cm⫺1 enables the determination of the
25- and 25- forms separately, with a 3–10 percent overall error for individual C25 epimers
and 3–5 percent for total sapogenin (Brain et al., 1968). The IR spectrophotometric analysis of
crude extracts was later shown by Hardman and Jefferies (1972) to give high values and replaced
by column chromatography preceding IR analysis. The method removes sterols, steryl esters,
spirostadienes and dihydroxysapogenins, such as gitogenin (not useful as a raw material) from
the fraction containing diosgenin and yamogenin and it has been further improved (Jefferies and
Hardman, 1976).
Gas–liquid chromatography has been proposed (Knight, 1977) for the analysis of fenugreek
sapogenins (as trimethylsilyl ethers and trifluoroacetates). The method has the possibility to
separate the C25 epimers from each other and from their 5-dihydro analogs and the more polar
2,3-dihydroxy-steroids.
Jain and Agrawal (1987) studied the effect of physical (UV and -irradiation) and chemical
mutagens (ethyl methane sulphonate (EMS), methyl methane sulphonate (MMS) and sodium
azide (NaN3)) in tissue culture. A two- to four-fold increase in the sapogenin content was
observed in the plants and seeds obtained from fenugreek seeds treated with a low concentration of the chemical mutagens and an approximately two-fold increase was observed with UV
(2 h irradiation), while -irradiation could enhance the yield by c. 85 percent only ( Jain and
Agrawal, 1994).
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The crude saponins of fenugreek seed showed a hypocholesterolemic activity in experiments
(Sharma, 1986).
Sterols are present in all parts of the plant and occured in both a combined and free state
(Fazli and Hardman, 1971). -Sitosterol was found in leaf extracts of Indian samples (Sood,
1975); -sitosterol-D-O-glucoside (⫽daucosterol) was isolated from the whole plant (Parmar
et al., 1982).
Small amounts of cholesterol and two others sterols, not identified, were detected. Cholesterol
is the main sterol involved in the biosynthesis of steroidal sapogenins (Hardman and Fazli,
1972b). Lower incorporation of cholesterol into gitogenin than into diosgenin suggests that
gitogenin may be formed from diosgenin. Such a conversion is also supported by the finding
that in a growing plant gitogenin, in contrast to diosgenin, is absent from the leaves and is
found only in the ripe seed and young seedlings (Hardman and Fazli, 1972c).
Khanna and Jain (1973) reported for the first time the production and isolation of sterols and
sapogenins from static cultures of fenugreek. Higher levels of -sitosterol, stigmasterol and of
the steroidal sapogenin were obtained in 8 week old static cultures compared to that of seeds.
The amounts of stigmasterol, campesterol, -sitosterol and cholesterol and the ratio of stigmasterol to sitosterol in the free and the bound sterol fraction from static cultures were measured
by GLC analysis of their TMS ethers (Hardman and Stevens, 1978).
Furthermore, the sterolic composition of the plant has been reinvestigated. It is characterized
by a quasi absence of stigmasterol and by the presence of ⌬7-sterols and of an unusual sterol,
pollinastanol (14-methyl-9,19-cyclo-5-cholestan-3-ol) (Brenac and Sauvaire, 1996).
Recently, from the ethanol extract of the seeds, six triterpenoids were isolated and identified
as lupeol, 31-norcycloartanol, betulin, betulinic acid, soyasaponin I and soyasaponin I methyl
ester (Shang et al., 1998).
Other Trigonella species1
Besides T. foenum-graecum L., seeds from T. coerulea (L.) Ser., T. corniculata L., T. cretica (L.) Boiss.
contain different amounts of various steroidal sapogenins with diosgenin being predominant.
Steroidal sapogenins were absent from T. calliceras Fisch. ex Bieb. By the blood analysis
test T. monspeliaca L. and T. polycerata L., and by the color reaction method T. hamosa L. and
T. polycerata L. gave positive results. T. platycarpa L. and T. radiata Boiss. gave negative results in
both tests (Hardman and Fazli, 1972a).
Bohannon et al. (1974) examined the seeds from twenty-seven species of Trigonella for
sapogenin, but none was richer than T. foenum-graecum L. in the component calculated as diosgenin, but presumably also containing yamogenin and tigogenin. In addition to T. foenum-graecum
L. only five species contain at least 0.2 percent diosgenin and analog substances: T. coerulea (L.)
Ser., T. corniculata (L.) L., T. fischeriana Ser., T. gladiata Stev. and T. sibthorpii Boiss.
The following Trigonella species contain less than 0.2 percent diosgenin, usually less than
0.1 percent: T. anguina Del., T. arabica Del., T. arcuata C.A. Mey., T. brachycarpa (Fisch.) Moris,
T. caelesyriaca Boiss., T. calliceras Fisch., T. cretica (L.) Boiss., T. emodi Benth., T. incisa Benth.,
T. kotschyi Fenzl. ex Boiss., T. monantha C.A. Mey. T. monspeliaca L., T. noëana Boiss., T. orthoceras
Kar. and Kir., T. polycerata L., T. rigida Boiss. and Bal., T. spicata Sibth & Sm., T. stellata Forssk.,
T. suavissima Lindl., T. uncata Boiss. and Noe [⫽ T. glabra subsp. uncata (Boiss. and Noe) Lassen].
Diosgenin and 25-spirosta-3, 5-diene were detected in roots, stem, leaves and pericarp of
T. maritima Poiret and T. stellata Forssk., while only gitogenin was found in the seeds of both
plants (Balbaa et al., 1977).
1 The botanical names have been completed according to the Index Kewensis (Hooker and Jackson 1960).
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Chemical constituents
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Medicagenic acid, a triterpene sapogenin of quite limited occurrence, was detected in
the seeds of the following species: T. geminiflora Bunge, T. monpseliaca L., T. noëana Boiss. and
T. polycerata L. (Jurzysta et al., 1988).
The composition of sterols was investigated in the following species: T. foenum -graecum L.
(See p. 145), T. calliceras Fisch. ex Bieb., T. corniculata (L.) L. (see below), T. caerulea (L.)
Ser. (see below), T. melilotus caeruleus2 (L.) Ascherson and Graebner, T. cretica (L.) Boiss. and
T. monspeliaca L.
Sitosterol and 24-methyl-cholesterol are the main sterols in all species except in T. monspeliaca
L. Stigmasterol, usually well represented in plants, shows a low level in fenugreek and T. cretica
(L.) Boiss. Pollinastanol was absent in T. calliceras Fisch. ex Bieb. and T. monspeliaca L., but present in all the other species, with higher levels in T. caerulea (L.) Ser. and T. melilotus-caeruleus 2 (L.)
Ascherson and Graebner. These last two species also present highly similar compositions. By
contrast, T. monspeliaca L. shows a composition very different from the other species. In complement of the absence of pollinastanol and the very low levels of sitosterol and 24-methylcholesterol, this species also presents high contents in -spinasterol (absent in all the other
species) and ⌬7-stigmastenol (only present in fenugreek but at a very low percentage) (Brenac
and Sauvaire, 1996).
T. caerulea (L.) Ser. (⫽T. coerulea (L.) Ser.)
Diosgenin was extracted from seed and tissue cultures (Zambo and Szilagyi, 1982).
Glycosides of furost-5-en-3,22,26-triol connected with the sugars glucose, rhamnose and
xylose in different orders of bonding were isolated from the seeds (Kogan and Bogacheva, 1978).
By incubating ground seeds with protosubtilin (Bacillus subtilis proteinase) for conversion of the
contained furostanol glycosides to spirostan, yields of the genins during subsequent acid hydrolysis were increased. (25S)-Spirostadiene, diosgenin, gitogenin and its 25S-epimer neogitogenin,
but not tigogenin, neotigogenin or yamogenin, were obtained (Bogacheva et al., 1976c).
Methanol extract of the seeds yielded the 22-methyl ether of protodioscin, assigned as
3-(-L-rhamnopyranosyl) (1→ 4)--L-rhamnopyranosyl-(1→ 2)-(-D-glucopyranosyloxy-26(-D-glucopyranosyloxy)-22--methoxy-25R)-furost-5-en (Bogacheva et al., 1977b).
The sterolic composition of the seeds is characterized by high levels of sitosterol, stigmasterol
and 24-methyl cholesterol with lower amounts of cholesterol, pollinastanol and ⌬5-avenasterol.
Small amounts of ⌬7-cholesterol, 24-methylene-cholesterol, ⌬7-campesterol, stigmastanol and
fucosterol were detected (Brenac and Sauvaire, 1996).
T. corniculata L. (⫽T. balansae Boiss. and Reut.)
Varshney and Sood (1969) have reported the predominant sapogenin of the seeds to be the
dihydroxysapogenin, yuccagenin (2,3-dihydroxy-25-spirost-5-ene) being 70 percent, and
diosgenin 25 percent of the total genins.
Diosgenin was found in the seed (Hardman and Fazli, 1972a; Bohannon et al., 1974). The
diosgenin plus yamogenin content was estimated to be about 0.15 percent on a moisture free
basis (ratio of diosgenin to yamogenin 3 : 1) (Puri et al., 1976).
Flowers were found to contain diosgenin, tigogenin and gitogenin (in a ratio of 70 : 15 : 5), while
the leaves contain diosgenin as the main compound and some tigogenin (Varshney and Sood, 1971).
An increase in diosgenin and tigogenin levels was observed in the plants obtained from seeds
treated with low concentrations of mutagens ( Jain and Agrawal, 1987). Attempts were made to
regulate the synthesis of diosgenin by induced mutagenesis (Mahna et al., 1994).
2 It has been fused to T. coerulea (L). Ser.
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Helen Skaltsa
-Sitosterol was isolated from seeds (Atal and Sood, 1964). Cholesterol, ⌬7-cholesterol, pollinastanol, 24-methyl- and 24-methylene-cholesterol, stigmasterol, ⌬7-campesterol, stigmastanol, fucosterol, ⌬5-avenasterol were also detected and their percentage in total sterols was
estimated (Brenac and Sauvaire, 1996).
T. occulta Ser.
The seeds were found to contain as much as 0.32 percent of diosgenin with appreciably lower
concentrations of the other two sapogenins, gitogenin (0.04 percent) and tigogenin (0.01
per cent) ( Jain, 1976a). Hydrolyzed tissue culture yielded, besides the above mentioned
sapogenins, -sitosterol and traces of stigmasterol ( Jain et al., 1977). -Sitosterol was also
isolated from seeds ( Jain, 1976b).
N-compounds
Trigonella foenum-graecum L.
Trigonelline (Karrer, 1958), a methylbetaine derivative of nicotinic acid, with mild
hypoglycemic (Shani et al., 1974; Bever and Zahnd, 1979; Marles and Farnworth, 1994)
and antipellagra action (Covello, 1943; Bever and Zahnd, 1979) is the main N-compound of
the seeds. Raw and dry fenugreek seeds contain about 0.15 percent of trigonelline and practically no nicotinic acid. If the seeds are sufficiently roasted about 2/3 of trigonelline is converted
into nicotinic acid (Covello, 1943). A higher value of c. 0.38 percent for trigonelline
and c. 0.003 percent for nicotinic acid content has also been reported (Kühn and Gerhard,
1943).
Callus cultures contain 3–4 times more trigonelline than the seeds of the plant and 12–13
times more than the roots and shoots. Even higher levels of this compound were produced by suspension cultures (Radwan and Kokate, 1980). Choline was also found in the seeds (Karrer, 1958).
Trigonella corniculata L.
Choline and betaine were isolated from seeds, while trigonelline was not found (Atal and Sood,
1964).
Trigonella polycerata L.
Aerial parts, roots, seeds and callus cultures were analyzed for trigonelline content, which was
found to be highest in the seeds (0.25 percent), compared to those of the aerial parts (0.20
percent) and roots (0.13 percent) (Mehra et al., 1996).
Anthocyanins
Although certain glycosidic patterns of the anthocyanins are common (e.g. 3-glucosides, 3,5diglucosides), there are many more complex patterns with a variety of other sugars that are of
more restricted occurrence. Such glycosidic patterns may show correlations with taxonomy.
A rare type of glycoside, in which the 3-sugar is rhamnose instead of glucose, occurs in the
Trigonella species. The presence in the petal pigments of anthocyanidin-3-rhamnoside-5-glucosides
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provides a character that differentiates Trigonella from two other genera belonging to the same
tribe, Trifolieae, namely Medicago and Trifolium, whose petals contain anthocyanidin-3,5-diglucosides (Harborne and Turner, 1984).
Flavonoids
Trigonella species are rich in flavonoids (Harborne, 1971).
Trigonella foenum-graecum L.
Quercetin (quercetin-3-O-rhamnoside) has been reported (Gánju and Puri, 1959). The seeds of
the plant were found to contain luteolin, quercetin (Varshney and Sharma, 1966), vitexin (8-C-D-glucosyl 5,7,4⬘-trihydroxyflavone), vitexin-7-O-glucoside (afroside), arabinoside of orientin
or isoorientin (8-C-/6-C--D-glucosyl-arabinosyl-5,7,3⬘,4⬘-tetrahydroxyflavone) (Adamska and
Lutomski, 1971). Wagner et al. (1973) confirmed the presence of vitexin and reported the isolation
of isovitexin (saponaretin), isoorientin (6-C-glucosyl-luteolin), vicenin-1 (6-C--D-xylopyranosyl-8-C--D-glucopyranosyl-apigenin) in considerable quantities and vicenin-2 (6,8-C--Ddiglucosylapigenin). Ecological factors may play a role in the varied occurrence of vicenin-1 and
vicenin-2 in fenugreek seeds of different origin.
Vitexin-2⬙-O-p-coumarate was also isolated from fenugreek seeds (Sood et al., 1976).
Vitexin, orientin (Huang and Liang, 2000), quercetin, naringenin, tricin and tricin-7-O-D-glucopyranoside (Shang et al., 1998) were isolated from seeds originating from China. The last
three flavonoids were isolated from fenugreek for the first time.
The presence of 4⬘,7-dihydroxyflavone, 3⬘,4⬘,7-trihydroxyflavone, formononetin (7-hydroxy,4⬘methoxy-isoflavone), kaempferol-3-O-glycoside, kaempferol-3,7-diglycoside (the nature of glycosylation is uncommon), kaempferol-3,7-O-diglucoside, quercetin-3-O-glucoside (isoquercitrin)
and quercetin-3,7-diglucoside has been reported (unspecified parts; Saleh et al., 1982).
Luteolin, quercetin, vitexin, isovitexin and 7,4⬘-dimethoxyflavanone were isolated from an
alcoholic extract of the whole plant (Parmar et al., 1982); kaempferol and quercetin from a leaf
extract (Sood, 1975). Isorhamnetin (3⬘-methoxy-quercetin) and kaempferol were found in
hydrolysates from leaves (Daniel, 1989), while quercetin and kaempferol were detected in
hydrolysates from flowers; these aglycones are the most common in the flowers of several
Trigonella species ( Jurzysta et al., 1988). Investigation of the stems resulted in the isolation of
the luteolin, quercetin and vitexin (Khurana et al., 1982).
Recently, the following flavonol glycosides have been isolated from the fenugreek stems
growing in China: kaempferol 3-O--D-glucosyl (1→ 2)--D-galactoside, kaempferol
3-O--D-glucosyl (1→ 2)--D-galactoside 7-O--D-glucoside, kaempferol 3-O--D-glucosyl
(1→ 2)-(6⬙-O-acetyl)--D-galactoside 7-O--D-glucoside, quercetin 3-O--D-glucosyl (1→ 2)-D-galactoside 7-O--D-glucoside and kaempferol 3-O--D-glucosyl (1→ 2)--D-galactoside
(Han et al., 2001).
Luteolin, quercetin and vitexin-7-glucoside (afroside) were also isolated from 36 months old
unorganized seedling callus tissue. The maximum flavonoid content was found in the fourth
week of tissue growth (Uddin et al., 1977).
An enhanced yield of luteolin, kaempferol, quercetin and vitexin was observed when the seeds
were treated with low concentrations of chemical mutagens (Jain and Agrawal, 1990; Jain et al.,
1992).
The antibacterial activity shown by fenugreek seed extracts may be due to its flavonoid
content (Bhatti et al., 1996).
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Other Trigonella species
Seshadri et al. (1972) reported the presence of two C-glycosides, identified as acacetin-6,8-di-Cglucoside and its monoacetate in the seeds of T. corniculata L. Bouillant et al. (1975) revised the
structure and proposed that of 6-C-pentosyl, 8-C-hexosylacacetin. Vitexin was also isolated from
the seeds (Seshadri et al., 1973). Kaempferol, quercetin and myricetin were detected in
hydrolysates from fresh flowers ( Jurzysta et al., 1988).
Hydrolysates from fresh flowers of T. polycerata L., T. monspeliaca L., T. noëana Boiss. and of
T. geminiflora Boiss. contain kaempferol, quercetin, myricetin and laricytrin (3⬘-methoxy-myricetin),
while those of T. calliceras Fisch. ex Bieb. and T. cretica (L.) Boiss. contain kaempferol, quercetin and
myricetin and those of T. coerulea (L.) Ser. contain only the first two aglycones (Jurzysta et al., 1988).
The aerial parts of T. grandiflora Bunge contain the C-glucosides orientin and vitexin and
those of T. tenuis Fisch. ex Bieb. contain only vitexin (Bandyukova et al., 1985).
The seeds of T. occulta Ser. were found to contain quercetin (Jain, 1976b).
Apigenin, luteolin, kaempferol and quercetin were also isolated from tissue cultures of
T. polycerata L.; the flavonoid content was higher in the cultures than in the normal stage.
Among the individual flavonoids, luteolin was at a maximum whereas kaempferol was at
a minimum. Apigenin was absent in the root (Kamal and Yadav, 1991).
T. spicata Smith and Sm. (⫽T. hamosa Bess.) contains 4⬘,7-dihydroxyflavone, 3⬘,4⬘,7trihydroxyflavone and their 7--O-glucopyranosides. The presence of kaempferol-3-robinobioside (biorobin) is not surprising, as this plant shows a morphological resemblance to Melilotus
genus, which is also reported to contain 3-robinobiosides. Formononetin was also detected
(unspecified parts; Saleh et al., 1982).
T. coerulescens (Bieb.) Hal. contains kaempferol-3-glycoside and quercetin-3-O-glucoside
(isoquercitrin), 4⬘,7-dihydroxyflavone, 3⬘,4⬘,7-trihydroxyflavone and the 7-O-glucoside of the
latter flavone (unspecified parts; Saleh et al., 1982).
Kaempferol, quercetin, 4⬘,7-dihydroxyflavone, 3⬘,4⬘,7-trihydroxyflavone and formononetin
was stated to be present in the following species: T. culindracea Desv., T. maritima Del. ex Poir.;
T. anguina Del., T. monspeliaca L., T. laciniata L. contain the same flavonoids, except quercetin
(unspecified parts; Saleh et al., 1982).
The 3,7-diglucosides of kaempferol and quercetin were found in T. culindracea Desv., while
T. anguina Del. contain only the 3,7-diglycoside of kaempferol (unspecified parts; Saleh et al., 1982).
The flavonoid content of eight Egyptian Trigonella species belonging to four different sections
was investigated for chemotaxonomic purposes (Kawashty et al., 1998).
Sect. Falcatulae Boiss.
T. maritima Poiret, T. laciniata L., T. glabra Thunb., T. stellata Forssk. were found to contain
kaempferol 3-galactoglucoside, kaempferol 3,7-diglucoside, quercetin 3-galactoglucoside, 7,4⬘dihydroxyflavone, 7,3⬘,4⬘-trihydroxyflavone, quercetin 7-diglucoside-3-p-coumaroylglucoside
and the isoflavonoid formononetin.
Sect. Cylindracea Boiss.
In addition to the previously mentioned flavonoids T. cylindracea Boiss. was proved to contain
quercetin 3,7-diglucoside and traces of kaempferol 7-glucoside and quercetin 7-glucoside.
Sect. Foenum-graecum L.
From T. foenum-graecum L. were isolated kaempferol 3-glucoside, kaempferol 7-glucoside,
kaempferol 3-galactoglucoside, kaempferol 7-diglucoside-3-p-coumaroylglucoside, quercetin
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Chemical constituents
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3-glucoside, quercetin 7-glucoside, quercetin 3,7-diglucoside, quercetin 3-galactoglucoside, 7,4⬘dihydroxyflavone, 7,3⬘,4⬘-trihydroxyflavone and formononetin, while from T. polyceratia
L. were isolated kaempferol 7-glucoside, kaempferol 3,7-diglucoside, quercetin 3-galactoglucoside,
quercetin 3,7-diglucoside, formononetin and traces of kaempferol 3-glucoside, quercetin 3-glucoside and quercetin 7-glucoside.
Sect. Pectinatae Boiss.
From T. arabica Del. were isolated kaempferol 3-galactoglucoside, kaempferol 3,7-diglucoside,
quercetin 3-galactoglucoside, quercetin 3,7-diglucoside, quercetin 7-diglucoside-3-pcoumaroylglucoside, 7,4⬘-dihydroxyflavone, 7,3⬘,4⬘-trihydroxyflavone and formononetin.
Isoflavonoid phytoalexins
It is well known that many higher plants respond to microbial invasion by the de novo production
of organic substances, phytoalexins. These compounds are absent from healthy plants and induced
by the attacking micro-organisms. Different plant families accumulate chemically different types
of compounds. Thus, the Leguminosae in general produce “induced isoflavonoids” (Ingham and
Harborne, 1976). All the isoflavonoid phytoalexins thus far described accumulate as aglycones
rather than as glycosides, the most regularly encountered compounds being phenolic pterocarpans
and isoflavans. In contrast to pterocarpans and isoflavans, isoflavone and isoflavanone phytoalexins are limited, in terms of their distribution, within the Papilionoideae (Ingham, 1983).
The Trigonella species are divisible into three major groups on the basis of phytoalexin accumulation (Ingham, 1981). This phytoalexin approach to the study of systematic relationships within
four related genera (Medicago, Melilotus, Trifolium and Trigonella) of the tribe Trifolieae enables the
link of Trigonella to Melilotus on the one hand and to the Medicago on the other, while the third
group (characterized by formation of maackiain) provides evidence for a connection to Trifolium.
The encountered phytoalexins are pterocarpan [medicarpin and maackiain] and isoflavan
[vestitol and sativan] derivates (Figure 9.10). In T. calliceras Fisch. medicarpin was accompanied
by a phytoalexin (designated TC-1), partially identified as a hydroxylated pterocarpan. Traces of
three pterocarpan precursors, namely the isoflavone formononetin, the flavanone liquiritigenin
and the chalcone isoliquiritigenin accompanied the above phytoalexins in a few species.
The grouping of Trigonella species based on their phytoalexin production (Ingham and
Harborne, 1976; Ingham, 1981) is the following:
–
Group 1a (medicarpin in quantity): T. anguina Del., T. arabica Del., T. aristata Vass., T. balansae, Boiss. ex Reut., T. caelesyriaca Boiss., T. corniculata L., T. cretica (L.) Boiss., T. hamosa L.,
HO 3
HO 7
O
O
8 R1
O
9 R2
Medicarpan R1 = H; R2 = OMe
Maackiaian R1 = R2 = O-CH2 –
2⬘
RO
4⬘
OMe
Vestitol R = H
Sativan R = Me
Figure 9.10 Chemical structures of commonly encountered Isoflavonoid Phytoalexins in Trigonella
species.
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152
–
–
Helen Skaltsa
T. pamirica Gross. in Kom., T. rigida Boiss. and Bal., T. schlumbergeri Buser (sic, possibly
Boiss.), T. spicata Sibth and Sm., T. spinosa L., T. stellata Forssk., T. suavissima Lindl.,
T. uncata Boiss. and Noe [⫽T. glabra subsp. uncata (Boiss. and Noe) Lassen];
Group 1b (medicarpin in traces): T. lilacina Boiss. and T. monspeliaca L.;
Group 1c (medicarpin plus TC-1): T. calliceras Fisch.
–
–
Group 2a (medicarpin ⫹ vestitol): T. brachycarpa Moris, T. noëana Boiss., T. radiata Boiss.;
Group 2b (medicarpin ⫹ vestitol ⫹ sativan): T. arcuata C.A. Meyer, T. cancellata Dest.,
T. fischeriana Ser., T. geminiflora Boiss., T. incisa Benth., T. monantha C.A., Meyer, T. orthoceras
Kar. and Kir., T. platycarpos L., T. polycerata L., T. popovii Kor., T. ruthenica L., T. tenuis Fisch.
–
Group 3a (ratio 1 : 1 of medicarpin and maackiain): T. berythaea Boiss. ex Bl., T. foenumgraecum L., T. gladiata Stev.;
Group 3b (ratio 10 : 1 of medicarpin and maackiain): T. coerulea (L.) Ser., T. caerulescens (Bieb.)
H., T. cylindracea Desv., T. kotschyi Fenzl., T. melilotus-caerulea2 (L.) Ascherson et Graebner,
T. procumbens (Besser) Reichb., T. sibthorpii Boiss.(⫽ T. spruneriana Boiss.).
–
It has been proved that in fenugreek seedlings medicarpin [(6aR, 11aR)-demethylhomopterocarpin) is synthesized from 2⬘,7-dihydroxy-4⬘-methoxy-isoflavone via an overall trans addition
of hydrogen to the double bond (Dewick and Ward, 1977).
Other phenolic compounds
Trigonella foenum-graecum L.
Scopoletin, chlorogenic, caffeic and p-coumaric acids were found in root, shoot and pod (Reppel
and Wagenbreth, 1958); scopoletin and the lignan -schisandrin were found in leaves and stems
(Wang et al., 1997).
Hymecromone (4-methyl-7-acetoxycoumarin) was isolated from a whole plant extract
for the first time (Bhardwaj et al., 1977). The stems contain, besides hymecromone,
(E)-3-(4-hydroxyphenyl)-2-propenoic acid (p-coumaric acid) and trigoforin (3,4,7-trimethylcoumarin); the latter was isolated for the first time from this source (Khurana et al., 1982).
Trigocoumarin, whose structure was first assigned as 3-(ethoxycarbonyl) methyl-4-methyl5,8-dimethoxycoumarin was also isolated for the first time from a whole plant extract, together
with hymecromone (Parmar et al., 1982). The structure was further revised and the compound
was assigned as 3-(ethoxycarbonyl)methyl-4-methyl-7,8-dimethoxycoumarin (Parmar et al.,
1984).
T. corniculata L.
Aesculetin and scopoletin (shoots; Reppel and Wagenbreth, 1958).
T. coerulea (L.) Ser.
Aesculetin, scopoletin and coumarin (shoots; Reppel and Wagenbreth, 1958). Due to its
coumarin content, it is diuretic, digestive, antispasmodic and slightly hypnotic (Fournier 1948).
T. calliceras Fisch. ex Bieb.
Aesculetin, umbelliferon (shoots; Reppel and Wagenbreth, 1958).
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Chemical constituents
153
T. cretica (L.) Boiss.
Aesculetin (shoots; Reppel and Wagenbreth, 1958).
Volatile constituents
From about fifty-one detected volatile constituents of T. foenum-graecum L. seeds, thirty-nine have
been identified; among them n-alcanes, sesquiterpenes (the most important are elemenes and
muurolenes) and some oxygenated components. The identified compounds are the
following: n-hexenol, 2-heptanone, n-heptanal, aniline, phenol, heptanoic acid, 3-octen-2-one,
1,8-cineol, undecane, camphor, 5-methyl--caprolactone, 1-dodecene, methylcyclohexylacetate,
dihydrobenzofuran, dodecane, decanoic acid, thymol, 2-hexylfuran, tridecane, -nonalactone,
eugenol, -elemene, 1-tetradecene, tetradecane, calarene, -ionone, -muurolene, dihydroactinidiolide, -muurolene, -elemene, -selinene, -elemene, -muurolene, calamenene,
pentadecane, dodecanoic acid, diphenylamine, 1-hexadecene, hexadecane. (Girardon et al., 1985).
The contribution of n-alcanes, ranging from undecane to hexadecane to the aroma of fenugreek seeds was considered minimal. Although -nonalactone and 5-methyl--caprolactone are
present in small quantities, these compounds could be of great importance in the aroma of seeds
because of their olfactory properties, but they do not possess a priori the characteristic and
persistant odor of the seeds.
This odor is attributed to an oxygen heterocycle identified as 3-hydroxy-4,5-dimethyl-2(5H)furanone, called HDMF, previously isolated from other sources such as the yellow wine of Jura,
the melassa from sugar cane, etc. In all cases, it was proved to be the “key” component of their
aroma. It is a polar, thermolabile compound, difficult to detect, when present in low concentrations (Girardon et al., 1986).
Amino acids
The principal free amino acid of T. foenum-graecum L. was found to be (2S,3R,4R)-4-hydroxyisoleucine [2-amino-4-hydroxy-3-methylpentanoic acid; (2S, 3R, 4R) form]. The (2R,3R,4S)
isomer forms a minor component of fenugreek seed. Judging from the mild isolation procedure,
it is unlikely to be an artifact (Hatanaka, 1992). The total amount of 4-hydroxyisoleucine present in the plant increases steadily during all phases of growth (Fowden et al., 1973; Hardman
and Abu-Al-Futuh, 1979).
Studies have shown that hydroxyisoleucine represents up to 80 percent of free amino acid in
fenugreek dry seeds. The concentration does not decrease in the later stages of maturation of the
seed, but it is absent from the seed reserve proteins (Sauvaire et al., 1984). Fowden et al. (1973)
estimated this amino acid level to be about 30–50 percent of the dry seeds’ total free amino acid
content.
The stereochemistry of the 4-hydroxyisoleucine from fenugreek has been reinvestigated and
the absolute configuration was shown to be (2S, 3R, 4S) (Alcock et al., 1989).
Although it has been reported in a preliminary test that the free (2S,3R,4S)-4-hydroxyisoleucine shows no hypoglycemic activity (Hardman and Abu-Al-Futuh, 1976), it was proved
that this amino acid possesses insulin-stimulating properties both in vitro and in vivo (Sauvaire
and Ribes, 1993).
It is interesting that purified 4-hydroxyisoleucine alone gives the same aroma as 3-hydroxy4,5-dimethyl-2(5H)-furanone (Hatanaka, 1992). This amino acid is probably the potential precursor of HDMF, through a oxidative desamination reaction (Girardon et al., 1986). It is present
in most species of Trigonella genus except T. cretica (L.) Boiss. Its formation is dependent on the
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Helen Skaltsa
presence of Fe2⫹, 2-oxoglutarate, ascorbate, oxygen and of a 2-oxoacid dioxygenase (Haefelé
et al., 1997).
The nitrogen-rich non-protein amino acid, (S)-canavanine, although it seems to be unique to
the Leguminosae subfamily Papilionoideae, does not occur in all species or genera (Tschiersch,
1959). It is particularly abundant in a free state in the tribe Trifolieae. It was found in Trigonella
arabica Del., T. coerulea (L.) Ser. and T. foenum-graecum L., while it is absent from T. berythaea Boiss.
ex Bl., T. schlumbergeri Boiss. and T. stellata Forssk. (Birdsong et al., 1960; Bell et al., 1978).
T. foenum-graecum L. seeds contain 1.5 g of canavanine per 16 g N (Van Etten et al., 1961).
Fenugreek is one of the most important leafy vegetables consumed in India, whose seeds contain about 25–30 percent protein (Rao and Sharma, 1987; Sauvaire et al., 1984; Duke, 1986). It
is a promising crop giving more than 55 percent extractable protein N, at a rate of 0.3 kg/ha/day
(Deshmukh et al., 1974).
The amino acid composition of fenugreek seed protein in mg/g N was found to be (Hidvégi
et al., 1984): asp 672, thr 226, ser 276, glu 883, pro 292, gly 246, ala 212, cys 75, val 186, met
54, ileu 250, leu 361, tyr 167, phe 257, lys 345, his 159, try 93, arg 524, met⫹cys 129,
tyr⫹phe 424.
This amino acid pattern is characterized by a relatively low quantity of sulfur-containing
amino acids (129 mg/g N), but the amino acid pattern of the protein, unlike that of cereals, is
particularly rich in lysine (345 mg/g N) (Hidvégi et al., 1984). The protein quality of
fenugreek seeds is approximately equal to that of soybeans (Sauvaire et al., 1984). Contradictory
data are reported for tryptophane content, that is, low levels (23 mg/g N by Sauvaire et al.,
1984; 93 mg/g N by Hidvégi et al., 1984) in contrast to the higher level referred by Duke (1986).
The hypocholesterolemic effect shown by defatted fenugreek seeds could be based either on
its amino acid pattern or to the considerable proportion of fibers (53.9 percent) and saponins
(4.8 percent) (Valette et al., 1984).
Inorganic elements
Since trace elements act as catalysts in biochemical reactions in living cells and are dietary essentials for animals and human beings, their levels in T. foenum-graecum L. were estimated (Sherif
et al., 1979).
The essential elements Ba, Br, Co, Cu, Fe, Mn and Zn were found in sufficient amounts in
fenugreek seed, while, Se, also an essential element, was not found. From the rare earth elements
La, Ce, Sm were also detected, while Eu, Tb, Yb were absent. Cs and Sb were present, but at the
detection limits (Ila and Jagam, 1980). The plant was found rich in Mg (Kansal and Pahwa,
1979), Ca and Fe (Talwalkar and Patel, 1962). Whole grain contain (per 100 g edible portion) is:
220 mg Ca, 358 mg P, 24.2 mg Fe, while flour contains 213 mg Ca, 270 mg P and 32.4 mg Fe.
Raw leaves contain 150 mg Ca and 48 mg P/100 g (Duke, 1986). The Sr content was found to be
less than 100 /g dry wt. (Sarkar and Chauhan, 1963; Chauhan and Sarkar, 1964).
Vitamins
The amounts of various vitamins in T. foenum-graecum L. were estimated to be (in /g seed):
thiamine 2.5, riboflavine 10.0, pyridoxine 11.0, cyanocobalamin 0.00025, niacin 2.5, Ca pantothenate 7.5 and biotin 0.0037 (Picci, 1959). Other reports refer to the following levels (per
100 g edible portion): 55 g -carotene equivalent, 0.32 mg thiamine, 0.30 mg riboflavin,
1.5 mg niacin. Flour contains (per 100 g): 0.06? mg thiamine, 0.05? mg riboflavin, and 1.5 mg
niacin (Duke, 1986). The ascorbic acid content was found in fresh leaves to be c. 276 mg/100 g
© 2002 Georgios A. Petropoulos
Chemical constituents
155
(Sreeramulu et al., 1983). Studies on the localization of vitamin C in the different parts of
T. foenum-graecum L. showed that the leaves and the rapidly growing tissues contained approximately 80 percent of the total vitamin content, while the stems and the roots gave low values
(Venkataramani, 1950).
Lipids
The quantitive analysis of lipid classes and the patterns of their constituent fatty acids in the
leaves of T. foenum-graecum L. revealed the following composition: monogalactosyldiglycerides
(11.3 percent of total lipids) and digalactosyldiglycerides (9.7 percent) (linolenic acic is predominant in both), sulfoquinovosyldiglycerides (3.1 percent) (characterized by a high content
of palmitic and linolenic acids, the former being predominant), phosphatidylcholines (10.6
percent), phosphatidylethanolamines (5.1 percent), phosphatidylglycerols (3.7 percent) and
other phospholipids (1.8 percent). In the various phospholipid classes linoleic acid predominates. Phosphatidylglycerols represent the only class that contains considerable proportions of
trans-3-hexadecenoic acid (10.9 percent) (Radwan, 1978).
Total lipids extracted from fenugreek seeds amounted to 7.5 percent of the dry material. The
total lipids consisted of 84.1 percent neutral lipids, 5.4 percent glycolipids and 10.5 percent
phospholipids. Neutral lipids consisted mostly of triacylglycerols (86 percent), diacylglycerols
(6.3 percent) and small quantities of monoacylglycerols, free fatty acids and sterols.
Acylmonogalactosyldiacylglycerol and acylated stearylglycoside were the major glycolipids,
while stearylglucoside, monogalactosylmonoacylglycerol and digalactosyldiacylglycerol were
present in small amounts. The phospholipids consisted of phosphatidylcholine and phosphatidylethanolamine, as major phospholipids and phosphatidylserine, lysophosphatidylcholine,
phosphatidylinositol, phosphatidylglycerol and phosphotidic acid as minor phospholipids
(Hemavathy and Prabhakar, 1989).
Aliphatic natural products and carbohydrates
T. corniculata L.
The seeds of the plant are reported to contain triacontane (Atal and Sood, 1964), ethyl--Dgalactopyranoside (Varshney et al., 1974), ethyl--D-galactopyranoside (Seshadri et al., 1973),
while the stems and the leaves are reported to contain D-pinitol (3-O-methyl-D-inositol)
(Plouvier, 1955).
T. coerulea (L.) Ser.
The most important flavor components of this herb, used as flavoring in a special swiss cheese
(Schabzieger), were found to be some -keto acids: pyruvic acid (-ketopropionic acid),
(-ketoglutaric acid (2-oxopentanedioic acid), -ketoisovaleric acid and -ketoisocaproic acid
(unspecified parts; Ney, 1986).
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10 Pharmacological properties
Molham Al-Habori and Amala Raman
Introduction
The most widely used species of Trigonella for both medicinal and culinary purposes is Trigonella
foenum-graecum L., or fenugreek. Fenugreek is an annual plant, extensively cultivated as a food
crop in India, the Mediterranean region, North Africa and Yemen. Fenugreek seeds are well
known for their pungent aromatic properties (Max, 1992). As a spice, they are a component of
many curry preparations (Parry, 1943) and are often used to flavour food and stimulate appetite.
Chronic oral administration of ethanolic fenugreek extract (10 mg/day per 300 g body weight)
significantly increases food intake and the motivation to eat in rats (Petit et al., 1993), which
might be related to the aromatic properties of the seeds (Girardon et al., 1985). Fenugreek seeds
are used in India as a condiment, in Egypt as a supplement to wheat and maize flour for breadmaking, and in Yemen it is one of the main constituents of the normal daily diet of the general
population. Fenugreek leaves are widely consumed in India as a green, leafy vegetable, and are
a rich source of calcium, iron, B-carotene and other vitamins (Sharma, 1986b).
Trigonella foenum-graecum L. (in Arabic, Hulabah) is also employed as a herbal medicine in
many parts of the world. Its leaves are used for their cooling properties and its seeds for their
carminative, tonic and aphrodisiac effects (Chopra et al., 1982). It is assumed to have a stimulating effect on the digestive process (Fazli and Hardman, 1968). Fenugreek seeds, which are
described in the Greek and Latin Pharmacopoeias, are said to have anti-diabetic activity
(Moissides, 1939; Shani et al., 1974; Bever and Zahnd, 1979), and hypocholesterolaemic effects
(Singhal et al., 1982; Sharma, 1984). In addition, fenugreek has been reported to possess a curative gastric anti-ulcer action (Al-Meshal et al., 1985), anti-bacterial (Alkofahi et al., 1996),
anthelmintic (Ghfaganzi et al., 1980), anti-fertility effects (Setty et al., 1976; Khare et al., 1983;
Sethi et al., 1990; Kamal et al., 1993) and anti-nociceptive (Javan et al., 1997) effects.
The aim of this chapter is to review the various pharmacological properties of
Trigonella foenum-graecum, which appears to be the only species of Trigonella with widespread
medicinal uses.
Chemical analysis
A chemical analysis of fenugreek indicates that the seeds are a rich source of protein, unavailable
carbohydrate, mucilages and saponins (Sauvaire and Baccou, 1976; Baccou et al., 1978; ElMahdy and El-Sebaiy, 1985; Udayasekhara Rao and Sharma, 1987). Fenugreek resembles Guar
(Cyamopsis tetragonolobus) in its content of high dietary fibre and high viscosity polysaccharide
(Chatterjee et al., 1982; Valette et al., 1984). Fenugreek seeds are also rich in saponins (Sharma,
1986a). Anis and Aminuddin (1985) have reported the presence of three steroidal sapogenins:
diosgenin (Figure 10.1), gitogenin and tigogenin. The use of more sophisticated analytical
© 2002 Georgios A. Petropoulos
Pharmacological properties
163
H
COOH
O
N
O
CH3
Trigonelline
RO
R=H
R=
Diosgenin
C
O
R = sugar(s)
OH
O
O
peptide Fenugreekine
Saponin
NH2
COOH
4-Hydroxyisoleucine
Coumarin
HO
O
O
CH3O
Scopoletin
Figure 10.1 Putative anti-diabetic or hypocholesterolaemic compounds in fenugreek seeds.
techniques including gas chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry (GC-MS) has
allowed the detection and identification of ten different sapogenins (Brenac and Sauvaire, 1996).
The presence of a sapogenin peptide ester, fenugreekine (Figure 10.1) has been reported (Ghosal
et al., 1974). More recently, Yoshikawa et al. (1997) have isolated six trigoneosides, novel
saponins based on furostanol aglycones. Some of the biological properties of the purified
steroidal saponins have been evaluated (Sauvaire et al., 1996) and include hypocholesterolaemic
and anti-fungal activity as well as effects on food intake, feeding behaviour and motivation in
rats (Petit et al., 1995b). Except for differences in fat and saponin content, fenugreek seed powder and defatted fenugreek are chemically similar, containing almost equal amounts of amino
acids, minerals and vitamins. Fenugreek like other legumes, is rich in arginine, alanine and
glycine, but poor in lysine content (Gopalan et al., 1978; Sharma, 1984). However, 4-hydroxyisoleucine (Figure 10.1) has been found to be a major free amino acid in the seeds (Sauvaire et al.,
1984). Trigonelline (Figure 10.1) is an important alkaloidal component of the seeds
(Mishkinsky et al., 1967). The seed contains less starch but higher proportions of minerals
(Ca, P, Fe, Zn and Mn) compared with other grain legumes (Sankara Rao and Deosthale, 1981).
The total lipid content (7.5 per cent) of the seeds consists of neutral lipids, glycolipids and
phospholipids (Hemavathy and Prabhakar, 1989). The aromatic constituents of the seeds have
been elucidated (Girardon et al., 1985) and include n-alkanes, sesquiterpenes and some
oxygenated compounds such as hexanol and -nonalactone. The seeds are also known to contain
flavonoids, carotenoids, coumarins and other components with very low LD50 values (Varshney
and Sharma, 1996).
Anti-diabetic effects
Diabetes mellitus (DM) is a wide-spread disorder that has long been recognised in the history of
medicine (Best, 1962; West, 1978). Before the advent of insulin and oral hypoglycaemic drugs
© 2002 Georgios A. Petropoulos
164
Molham Al-Habori and Amala Raman
the major form of treatment involved the use of plants. More than 400 plants are known to have
been recommended traditionally, and recent investigations have affirmed the potential value of
some of these treatments (Marles and Farnsworth, 1995; Bailey and Day, 1989). The hypoglycaemic and/or anti-hyperglycaemic effect of several plants used as anti-diabetic remedies has
been confirmed and the mechanisms of their activity are being studied (Marles and Farnsworth,
1995). Chemical studies directed at the isolation, purification and identification of the substances responsible for the anti-diabetic activity, are also being conducted (Attaur-Rahman and
Zaman, 1989; Bailey and Day, 1989; Ivorra et al., 1989; Alacron-Aguilar et al., 1993;
Sadhukhan et al., 1994; Marles and Farnsworth, 1995).
Fenugreek seeds have been known for a long time for their anti-diabetic action (Moissides,
1939; Mishkinsky et al., 1967). Fourier (1948) observed that the consumption of coarsely
ground fenugreek seeds improved severe diabetes in human subjects. This property was later
confirmed in alloxan-diabetic rats, where the seed extract induced a significant hypoglycaemic
effect (Bever and Zahnd, 1979; Khosla et al., 1995a), as did its major alkaloid, trigonelline
(Shani et al., 1974). Ghafghazi et al. (1977) have shown that an extract of fenugreek prevented
the hyperglycaemia induced by cadmium and alloxan in rats. Amin et al. (1988) also showed
that diabetic animals that were treated with a 20 per cent fenugreek diet 5 weeks prior to a
streptozotocin (STZ) injection, showed a general improvement in clinical status compared to
animals treated with STZ alone. Hyperglycaemia, free fatty acids, cholesterol and triglycerides
were significantly reduced. However, if the pretreatment period was not used, a supplementary
diet of fenugreek following the induction of diabetes did not improve the diabetic state, as
judged by blood glucose and lipid levels. Thus a possible preventive role for fenugreek against
chemically induced diabetes has been suggested.
A beneficial effect in pre-existing diabetic states has, however, also been shown in numerous
other studies (Table 10.1). A reduction in hyperglycaemia was observed in diabetic dogs fed
with fenugreek seeds (Ribes et al., 1984; 1986), and in mice where 40–80 per cent dilution of a
fenugreek decoction and an ethanolic extract (200–400 mg/kg) were used (Ajabnoor and
Tilmisany, 1988). Similar effects were reported in healthy human volunteers given fenugreek
powder (25 g/day) mixed in their diet (Sharma, 1986b): Type I diabetics were fed fenugreek
(100 g/day) (Sharma et al., 1990) and Type II diabetics were fed fenugreek (15 g/day) (Madar
et al., 1988; Sharma and Raghuram, 1990). Fenugreek seeds (whole as well as extracted) were
found to diminish hyperglycaemia in normal and diabetic subjects (Sharma, 1986b; Sharma
et al., 1990). Fasting blood glucose, 24-h urinary sugar excretion and serum cholesterol were also
significantly reduced in these subjects.
Despite a significant reduction in postprandial glucose, in some studies no significant change
was observed in plasma insulin following fenugreek administration to non-insulin dependent
‘NIDDM’ diabetics (Madar et al., 1988), rats (Madar, 1984), or dogs (Ribes et al., 1984; 1986).
However, other studies in chemically-induced diabetic rats have demonstrated a significant
increase in plasma insulin levels (Sharma, 1986b; Petit et al., 1993; 1995a). These conflicting
results may be due to differences in the type of fenugreek preparation used in the various studies
(Table 10.1). The observed increase in plasma insulin levels following administration of an
ethanolic fenugreek extract to rats (Petit et al., 1993) was suggested to be due either to a direct
stimulatory effect on the -cells or to an indirect effect related to the palatability and the
flavour-enhancer properties of the extract. The latter hypothesis was put forward in line with the
effect of the sweet taste of saccharin solution, which has been reported to trigger a rapid cephalic
phase of insulin response in the absence of any significant change in glycaemia (Berthoud et al.,
1981). However, the presence in fenugreek of an insulin-secretion stimulating compound
(4-hydroxyisoleucine) has also been reported (Hillaire-Buys et al., 1993; Petit et al., 1995a;
Sauvaire et al., 1996).
© 2002 Georgios A. Petropoulos
Pharmacological properties
165
Table 10.1 Summary of the reported anti-diabetic properties of fenugreek in vivo
Test substance
Administered to
Dose
Effects observed
References
Fenugreek
powder
Non-diabetic rats
2–8 g/kg for 2 weeks
20% of diet for 2 weeks
250 mg (single dose)
2–8 g/kg for 2 weeks
10 g per day for 2 days
25 g (single dose)
10 g per day for 2 days
15 g per day for 4–7 days
1
2
3
1
4
5
4
6
25 g per 5 ml
0.25 g per 5 ml
40–80% dilution
Hypoglycaemic
Anti-hyperglycaemic
Anti-hyperglycaemic
Hypoglycaemic
No effect on OGTT
Anti-hyperglycaemic
Anti-hyperglycaemic
Anti-hyperglycaemic/ no
increase in plasma insulin
Anti-hyperglycaemic
against intravenous GTT
Anti-hyperglycaemic
Hypoglycaemic and
anti-hyperglycaemic
No effect on OGTT
Anti-hyperglycaemic
Anti-hyperglycaemic
Corresponding to 7% of
whole fenugreek seeds
Corresponding to 93% of
whole fenugreek seeds
Corresponding to 93% of
whole fenugreek seeds
25 g per day for 3 weeks
No effect on blood
glucose
No effect on blood
glucose
Hypoglycaemic
anti-hyperglycaemic
Anti-hyperglycaemic
Diabetic rats
Non-diabetic humans
NIDDM humans
25 g per day for 15 days
IDDM humans
Suspension
Non-diabetic rats
Diabetic rats
Decoction
Diabetic &
non-diabetic rats
Oil fraction
Diabetic &
non-diabetic
Defatted fraction Non-diabetic dogs
Diabetic dogs
NIDDM humans
Defatted
subfractions
‘a’ (fibre)
Diabetic dogs
‘b’ (protein ⫹
saponin)
‘P’ (protein)
‘S’ (saponin)
Ethanolic extract Diabetic &
non-diabetic rats
Non-diabetic
Diabetic rats
25 g per day for 3 weeks
100 g per day for 10 days
7
5
8
9
9
10
11,12
12
11,12
5
Amount corresponding
Anti-hyperglycaemic
to total defatted fraction
fed for 3 weeks
As above
No effect on OGTT
13,14
13,14
As above
As above
200–400 mg/kg
No effect on OGTT
No effect on OGTT
Anti-hyperglycaemic
14
14
10
250 mg/kg
5 mg/kg for 3 weeks
Anti-hyperglycaemic
Anti-hyperglycaemic
3
15
Note
1. Khosla et al., 1995a; 2. Amin et al., 1987; 3. Ali et al., 1995; 4. Sadhukhan et al., 1994; 5. Sharma, 1986b; 6. Madar
et al., 1988; 7. Raghuram et al., 1994; 8. Sharma et al., 1990; 9. Madar, 1984; 10. Ajabnoor and Tilmisany, 1980; 11. Ribes
et al., 1984; 12. Valette et al., 1984; 13. Ribes et al., 1986; 14. Ribes et al., 1987; 15. Shani et al., 1974.
Apart from biochemical improvements, fenugreek seeds have been reported to markedly
suppress the clinical symptoms of diabetes such as polyuria, polydypsia, weakness and weight
losses (Sharma, 1986b). It has also been demonstrated that the hypoglycaemic property of
fenugreek is not destroyed by the cooking or roasting process (Sharma, 1986b; Khosla et al.,
1995a).
A number of investigations have been carried out to identify the factors responsible for the
anti-diabetic activity of fenugreek and the mechanisms involved in this effect. One group of
researchers have studied two fractions of the seed, namely, the lipid extract and the defatted seed
© 2002 Georgios A. Petropoulos
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Molham Al-Habori and Amala Raman
material that contains fibres, saponins and proteins (Ribes et al., 1984; Valette et al., 1984). The
above work led to the suggestion that the active component was not in the lipid extract but in
the defatted portion of the seeds, which provoked a decrease in hyperglycaemia and hypercholesterolaemia in both normal and diabetic dogs. Defatted fenugreek had an influence on the
response to oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) and modified not only the blood glucose level
but also pancreatic hormone levels (Ribes et al., 1984; 1986). It decreased the normally observed
peak plasma insulin levels in normal dogs following OGTT (Ribes et al., 1984), as well as levels
of glucagon (an aggravating factor of diabetes) and somatostatin (observed after OGTT) in diabetic dogs (Ribes et al., 1986), which infers better carbohydrate regulation. This defatted fraction was further investigated (Ribes et al., 1986) by dividing it into two subfractions:
subfraction ‘a’ that contained the testa and endosperm and is rich in fibre (79.6 per cent), and
subfraction ‘b’ that contained the cotyledons and axles and is rich in proteins (52.8 per cent) and
saponins (7.2 per cent). Their results, like those of Madar (1984) and Sharma (1986b), showed
that the anti-diabetic property of fenugreek seeds was contained in the testa and endosperm
subfraction. The authors suggest that although rich in fibres, it is not possible to exclude the
coexistence of one or more unknown, pharmacologically-active compounds in this subfraction of
the seed.
In early reports, the hypoglycaemic effect of fenugreek was attributed to its major alkaloid,
trigonelline (Mishkinsky, 1967; Shani et al., 1974). Trigonelline (Figure 10.1) is the N-methyl
derivative of the vitamin nicotinic acid, and is excreted in human and rat urine after oral administration of nicotinic acid (Ackerman, 1912), but when fed to cats, dogs and rabbits it is excreted
unchanged (Kohlrausch, 1912). However administration of trigonelline, in the amounts present
in fenugreek, to diabetic patients did not show any significant hypoglycaemic activity (National
Institute of Nutrition, 1987). Furthermore, a recently isolated active hypoglycaemic principle
from fenugreek has been shown to be different from trigonelline (Moorthy et al., 1989). Moorthy
et al. (1989) reported the presence of an orally active principle isolated from fenugreek seeds,
which improves glucose tolerance for a period of 1 week in alloxan-treated rabbits. This fraction,
which was different from and more potent than trigonelline, was also reported to decrease fasting blood glucose in alloxan-recovered rabbits with an initial fasting blood glucose level of
180 mg/dL. Following daily treatment with this fraction (50 mg/kg) for 1 month, fasting blood
glucose decreased by about 50 per cent in severely diabetic rabbits with an initial fasting blood
glucose of 400 mg/dL. In addition, there was an improvement in glycosylated haemoglobin and
serum lipid profile, an increase in the activity of key glycolytic enzymes in muscle but not in the
liver and a slight, though not statistically significant, inhibition of key gluconeogenic enzymes
in the liver and kidney. However, no reports were found on the chemical composition of this
active fraction.
In 1993, Hillaire-Buys et al. reported the presence of an insulin-stimulating substance in the
seeds of fenugreek. This compound was obtained by sequential chromatography from defatted
fenugreek seeds and identified as 4-hydroxyisoleucine (Figure 10.1). 4-Hydroxyisoleucine
(200 mol/L) evoked a biphasic insulin response in vitro, using isolated pancreas perfused with
glucose (Petit et al., 1995a; Sauvaire et al., 1996). This response increased in a concentration
dependent manner both in vitro and in vivo in conscious fasted dogs. It was effective after oral
administration and improved oral glucose tolerance (Sauvaire et al., 1996). The data showed
4-hydroxyisoleucine, which represents up to 80 per cent of free amino acids in fenugreek seeds
(Sauvaire et al., 1984), to stimulate insulin secretion only in the presence of intermediate to high
glucose concentrations and to be effective in a much lower concentration range than its structural amino acid congeners leucine and isoleucine. The isolated 4-hyroxyisoleucine was found to
partially affect the K⫹-conductance of the -cell plasma membrane. 4-Hydroxyisoleucine is an
© 2002 Georgios A. Petropoulos
Pharmacological properties
167
unusual amino acid that was isolated and identified for the first time by Fowden et al. (1973), its
conformation was established by Alcock et al. (1989).
Other postulated hypoglycaemic constituents of fenugreek (Figure 10.1) are coumarin, which
was shown to have a profound hypoglycaemic effect in normal and alloxan-induced diabetic rats
(Shani et al., 1974), scopoletin, another coumarin constituent that exerted borderline hypoglycaemic effects in normal and alloxan-induced diabetic rats (Shani et al., 1974), and fenugreekine,
a peptide ester of diosgenin and one or more units of 4-hydroxyisoleucine. Fenugreekine is stated
to have a hypoglycaemic effect although details are not given (Ghosal et al., 1974). The relationship of hypoglycaemic doses of these compounds to their concentration in active fenugreek
preparations needs further exploration.
The endosperm of the fenugreek seed is a rich source of fibre (20 per cent) and gum (32.4
per cent) (Sharma, 1986b). It is known that the addition of fibre to the diet of diabetics results
in a reduction of blood glucose during OGTT (Jenkins et al., 1978; Jenkins, 1979; Monnier
et al., 1978). The clinical role of dietary fibre in glycaemic control has been reviewed ( Jenkins
and Jenkins, 1984; Vinik and Jenkins, 1988). Furthermore a high viscosity of gut contents
has been reported to inhibit the intestinal absorption of glucose (Johnson and Gee, 1980) and
significantly reduce the mean postprandial blood glucose and insulin curve (O’Connor
et al., 1981). This effect has been attributed, for example, to the viscosity of hydrated guar
gum, which reduces the rate of gastric emptying (Holt et al., 1979; Blackburn et al.,
1984). Fenugreek, like guar gum, is very viscous and is rich in galactomannan (Reid and Meier,
1970).
In view of its high content of soluble fibre, it has been postulated that one mechanism by
which fenugreek may modulate plasma glucose levels is by delaying gastric emptying and by
direct interference with glucose absorption at the gastrointestinal level (Madar, 1984). The latter effect was investigated in vitro using inverted gut sac from the jejunum of male rats, where
the addition of 0.1–1 per cent fenugreek seed powder to the mucosal side significantly inhibited
the 3-O-methyl-D-glucose transport into the serosal side (Madar, 1984). Based on the finding
that whole fenugreek seeds, extracted fenugreek seeds and gum isolate are rich sources of fibre in
the form of galactomannan (Sharma, 1986b), which resembles guar gum in chemical structure
and viscosity (16–20 cP) (Ribes et al., 1984), it was concluded that the dietary fibre in fenugreek
is the major contributor in reducing plasma glucose (Sharma, 1986b; Madar et al., 1988).
Furthermore, the fact that fenugreek had no significant effect on insulin levels in these studies
suggested that it decreased glucose levels by inhibition of diffusion, or transport of glucose without involvement of intestinal hormonal factor (Madar et al., 1988). Degummed fenugreek seed
was shown to have little hypoglycaemic effect, further excluding non-mucilagenous fibre as the
cause of the effect observed (Sharma, 1986b). It has recently been shown that galactomannan, in
the gel fraction of the seeds, is a factor which reduces the plasma glucose in both in vivo and
in vitro studies using inverted gut, by increasing the viscosity of the gut contents (Madar and
Shomer, 1990).
In more recent studies, Ali et al. (1995) showed that fenugreek powder, its methanolic extract,
and the residue remaining after methanol extraction all had significant anti-hyperglycaemic
effects when fed simultaneously with glucose. The soluble dietary fibre (SDF) fraction showed no
effect on the fasting blood glucose levels of non-diabetic or NIDDM model rats. However, when
fed simultaneously with glucose, it showed a significant anti-hyperglycaemic effect in NIDDM
model rats suggesting that fibre might be responsible for the observed improvement in the glucose tolerance but did not contribute to the hypoglycaemic effects. Thus other mechanisms and
components may be associated with the decrease in basal glycaemia following
fenugreek administration, which has been observed in some studies (Table 10.1).
© 2002 Georgios A. Petropoulos
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Molham Al-Habori and Amala Raman
Fenugreek has an additional possible mode of action: it has an inhibitory effect on intestinal
carbohydrate digestion. Fenugreek was found to decrease digestion of starch and also glucose
absorption both in vivo (by following a tolerance test of a meal containing starch) and in vitro
using the inverted sac technique (Madar and Shomer, 1990). This may be the result of a direct
inhibitory effect on the digestive enzymes or of reduced enzyme–substrate contact (Wong et al.,
1985; Edwards et al., 1988). Amin et al. (1987) demonstrated the existence of a low relative molecular mass fraction in the aqueous extract of fenugreek that inhibits carbohydrate degrading
enzymes (-amylase and sucrase) in rat intestines. These results are in line with earlier reports
which observed that inhibiting intestinal disaccharidase activities by acarbose moderated the
development of diabetes in STZ-treated rats (Goda et al., 1982). Recently, Platel and Srinivasan
(1996) reported a significant decrease in the activity of intestinal sucrase with the addition of
2 per cent fenugreek seeds to the diet of rats, with very little effect on -amylase, maltase and
lactase.
The above studies suggest that fibre and other components in fenugreek seed, acting at the
gastrointestinal level, may well be responsible for the observed improvement in oral glucose and
starch tolerance. However, this does not explain the hypoglycaemic effects (reduction in basal
glycaemia) observed in some studies, and other mechanisms are possible. Ajabnoor and
Tilmisany (1988) using both a 40–80 per cent dilution of fenugreek decoction and an ethanol
extract (200–400 mg/kg) of the seeds in normal and alloxan-treated diabetic male albino mice,
further confirmed the earlier reports of hypoglycaemic effects and put forward the argument that
since their experiments were conducted on fasting mice, the effect could not be due to the gastrointestinal action of fibre. The authors went further to suggest that the mechanism of antidiabetic action of the seeds may be similar to that of tolbutamide, although other mechanisms
are possible. Moreover, Raghuram et al. (1994) showed that fenugreek powder (25 g) when given
in the diet for 15 days to NIDDM patients prior to an intravenous glucose load, significantly
altered plasma glucose kinetics, reducing the area under the plasma glucose curve and increasing
the metabolic clearance rate. In addition, fenugreek increased the molar insulin-binding sites on
erythrocytes. However, serum insulin levels were not measured (Raghuram et al., 1994). This
study suggests that fenugreek can improve peripheral glucose utilisation and that it may exert
its anti-diabetic activity by effects at the insulin receptor as well as at the gastrointestinal level.
Thus the hypoglycaemic and anti-hyperglycaemic actions of fenugreek have been attributed
both to the gastrointestinal effects of local dietary fibre (Madar, 1984) and to systemic effects of
active principles, such as 4-hydroxyisoleucine, present in the seeds (Ribes et al., 1986; Moorthy
et al., 1989; Hillaire-Buys et al., 1993; Sauvaire et al., 1996). Trigonelline has been discounted as
an active principle by more recent studies (National Institute of Nutrition, 1987), while claims
for the activity of fenugreekine (Ghosal et al., 1974) remain unsubstantiated.
The studies reported so far in this section have examined the anti-diabetic effects of fenugreek
seeds. By contrast, Abdel-Barry et al. (1997) reported that an aqueous extract of Trigonella
foenum-graecum leaves (0.5–1 g/kg) could lower basal glycaemia on intra-peritoneal administration to normoglycaemic and hyperglycaemic (alloxan-treated) rats. Oral administration of the
aqueous extract (1–8 g/kg) and intra-peritoneal administration of an ethanolic extract (0.8 g/kg)
decreased glycaemia in hyperglycaemic but not normoglycaemic rats.
Hypocholesterolaemic effects
The association of raised serum cholesterol with cardiovascular disease is well known (Gordon
et al., 1977). Some studies suggest that elevated serum triglyceride may also be a risk factor
(Carlson et al., 1979; Carlson and Bottiger, 1985) especially in individuals with diabetes
© 2002 Georgios A. Petropoulos
Pharmacological properties
169
(West et al., 1983), there is often a marked hyperlipidaemia in diabetes (Maison and Boucher,
1978; Betteridge, 1989). Moreover, diabetic patients experience a two- to three-fold increase in
cardiovascular morbidity and mortality when compared with non-diabetics. The beneficial effect
of lowering elevated serum cholesterol levels for the prevention of coronary heart disease (CHD)
has been well established (Lipid Research Clinics Program, 1984). Dietary intervention has been
recommended for all subjects with a low density lipoprotein (LDL) level of more than
160 mg/dL (Report of the National Cholesterol Education Program, 1988). In addition to the
quantity of fat and the polyunsaturated/saturated fat ratio, other dietary factors also play a role in
the management of hyperlipidaemia (Grundy, 1987). Several studies have shown that dietary
fibre, particularly soluble fibre, has considerable influence on serum cholesterol levels
(Kritchevsky, 1982; Dreher, 1987; Miettinen, 1987).
Research carried out on legumes has led to the belief that they are beneficial in lowering the
total cholesterol levels in humans (Madar and Odes, 1990; Sharma et al., 1990; Sharma et al.,
1996a). Scientific reports indicate that fenugreek does indeed have therapeutic properties that
may be beneficial in treating hypercholesterolaemia (Table 10.2). Fenugreek seeds have been
shown to possess a hypocholesterolaemic effect in rats (Singhal et al., 1982; Sharma, 1984;
1986a; Stark and Madar, 1993; Khosla et al., 1995b) and dogs (Valette et al., 1984). Elevation of
cholesterol levels in the rat was prevented by adding fenugreek at 15–60 per cent to a hypercholesterolaemia-inducing diet (Sharma, 1984). Fenugreek was demonstrated to have a greater
effect on exogenous cholesterol (when given with a hypercholesterolaemia-inducing diet containing 1 per cent cholesterol) than on endogenous cholesterol (fenugreek given with a cholesterol-free stock diet) (Sharma, 1984). Defatted fenugreek (100 g) incorporated in the
experimental diet of hyperlipidaemic non-diabetic subjects significantly reduced serum total
cholesterol, LDL and very low density lipoprotein (VLDL)-cholesterol and triglyceride levels
(Sharma et al., 1991), with no observed changes in high density lipoprotein (HDL)-cholesterol.
As a result, there was a significant increase in the ratio of HDL to total cholesterol and HDL to
that of LDL and VLDL-cholesterol, which have been shown to be reliable risk assessment factors
of CHD (Kannel, 1983).
In a short-term study, fenugreek seeds were also found to exert hypocholesterolaemic activity
in diabetic patients (Sharma and Raghuram, 1990; Sharma et al., 1990). In NIDDM patients,
ingestion of an experimental diet containing 25 g fenugreek seed powder for 24 weeks resulted
in a significant reduction of total cholesterol, LDL- and VLDL-cholesterol and triglyceride levels
(Sharma et al., 1996a). Serum cholesterol was significantly reduced and this fall was mainly due
to a reduction in LDL and VLDL fractions. Triglyceride levels also showed a similar change. On
the other hand, HDL-cholesterol showed a slight rise (P ⬎ 0.05). The overall results are in
agreement with earlier observations made in diabetic patients (Sharma, 1986a; Sharma et al.,
1990). All the lipid parameters improved rapidly during the initial 8 weeks after the incorporation of fenugreek with a slower change thereafter (Sharma et al., 1996a). An increase in HDLcholesterol was also observed in diabetic rats fed 2–8 g/kg body weight of unroasted and roasted
fenugreek seeds for 2 weeks (Khosla et al., 1995b). These results indicate a potential beneficial
effect of fenugreek seeds in the lipid profile of diabetic subjects, in addition to the effects on
glycaemia reviewed earlier.
The ability of fenugreek to selectively reduce the LDL and VLDL fraction of total cholesterol
could be beneficial in preventing atherosclerosis. A similar selective effect on LDL-cholesterol
was observed with dietary fibres such as oat bran (Kirby et al., 1981) and guar gum (Jenkins
et al., 1980). Natural carbohydrates rich in fibre content have been found to be effective against
hyperlipidaemia and ischaemic heart disease (Trowell, 1972). Insulin secretion has been shown
to regulate VLDL and triglyceride concentration (Sparks and Sparks, 1994), the hormone has
© 2002 Georgios A. Petropoulos
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Molham Al-Habori and Amala Raman
Table 10.2 Summary of the reported hypocholesterolaemic and hypolipidaemic effects of fenugreek in vivo
Test substance
Administered to
Dose
Fenugreek
powder
Normal rats
2–8 g/kg for 2 weeks
Oil fraction
Defatted
fraction
Defatted
subfractions
‘a’ (fibre)
Decrease in plasma
cholesterol, triglyceride,
VLDL- and LDL-cholesterol
50% of diet for 2 weeks
Decrease in plasma
cholesterol
Diabetic rats
2–8 g/kg for 2 weeks
Decrease in plasma
cholesterol and triglyceride
Hypercholesterolaemic 50% of diet for 2 weeks
Decrease in plasma
rats
cholesterol
10–60% of diet for 4–6
Decrease in plasma
weeks
cholesterol, VLDL- and
LDL-cholesterol
30% of diet for 4 weeks
Decrease in plasma
cholesterol
NIDDM humans
25 g per day for 24 weeks Decrease in plasma
cholesterol, triglyceride,
VLDL- and LDL-cholesterol
15 g per day for 4–7 days No effect on plasma
lipids following a meal
tolerance test
IDDM humans
100 g per day for 10 days Decrease in plasma
cholesterol and triglyceride
Diabetic and
Corresponding to 7% of
No effect on plasma
non-diabetic dogs
whole fenugreek seeds
cholesterol
Diabetic and
Corresponding to 93% of Decrease in plasma
non-diabetic dogs
whole fenugreek seeds for cholesterol
3 days
Hyperlipidaemic
100 g defatted fenugreek Decrease in plasma
subjects
for 20 days
cholesterol, triglyceride,
VLDL- and LDL-cholesterol
Diabetic dogs
‘b’ (protein⫹
saponin)
‘P’ (protein)
‘S’ (saponin)
Ethanolic
extract
Effects observed
Normal rats
References
1
2
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
8
7
Amount corresponding to Decrease in plasma
9
total defatted fraction for cholesterol
3 weeks
As above
Decrease in plasma
9
cholesterol and triglyceride
As above
No effect on plasma
9
lipids
As above
Decrease in plasma
9
cholesterol and triglyceride
10 mg per day for 2 weeks Decrease in plasma
10
cholesterol, LDL- and
VLDL-cholesterol and
increase in plasma insulin
30 g/kg for 4 weeks
Decrease in fasting
11
plasma cholesterol
Note
1. Khosla et al., 1995b; 2. Singhal et al., 1982; 3. Sharma, 1984; 4. Sharma, 1986a; 5. Sharma et al., 1996a; 6. Madar et al.,
1988; 7. Sharma et al., 1990; 8. Valette et al., 1984; 9. Ribes et al., 1987; 10. Petit et al., 1993; 11. Stark and Madar, 1993.
© 2002 Georgios A. Petropoulos
Pharmacological properties
171
been found (Bhathena et al., 1974) to stimulate the hepatic production of VLDL. Based on this,
a high fibre diet which reduces insulin secretion was used in the treatment of hyperlipidaemia in
diabetic subjects (Paisey et al., 1984). Thus the alterations in lipid profiles observed after ingestion of fenugreek, which contains dietary fibre, may have been due to a decreased synthesis of
VLDL in the liver. However, since ingestion of fenugreek extracts was reported to stimulate
insulin secretion in diabetic rats (Sharma, 1986b; Petit et al., 1993; 1995a) the intermediary role
of insulin in altering lipid profiles is unclear.
Among the fenugreek fractions, the lipid extract and 0.12 per cent trigonelline had no hypocholesterolaemic effect (Valette et al., 1984) while the defatted fractions, gum isolate and the
crude saponins, fed to normal and diabetic rats at equivalent amounts to that present in a diet
containing 30 per cent fenugreek seeds, showed hypocholesterolaemic activity without any significant effect on the triglyceride level (Sharma, 1986a). Further studies by Ribes et al. (1987)
showed that although subfraction ‘a’ (79.6 per cent fibre) displays both an anti-diabetic and
hypocholesterolaemic activity, subfraction ‘b’ (52.8 per cent proteins and 7.2 per cent saponins)
has a clear hypolipidaemic effect since it reduces elevated cholesterol and triglyceride levels in
diabetic dogs. This latter subfraction was further subdivided to two fractions ‘S’ which contained
the saponins (22.2 per cent) and subfraction ‘P’ containing the totality of the proteins (70.5 per
cent). Administration of subfraction ‘P’, had no effect on the high levels of cholesterol and
triglycerides in diabetic dogs. This conclusion is in accordance with that of Sharma (1984),
demonstrating that the active principle was not related to the amino acids, and rules out the possibility that alterations in serum cholesterol by fenugreek are related to changes in the
lysine/arginine ratio (Kritchevsky et al., 1978). By contrast, the presence of saponins seem essential for the hypolipidaemic activity of fenugreek seeds (Ribes et al., 1987; Sauvaire et al., 1991).
Saponins are plant glycosides whose aglycone structure is triterpenoid or steroidal. They are a
heterogeneous group of amphiphilic compounds and are highly surface-active. Most saponins are
haemolytic, can bind cholesterol and form stable foams (Price et al., 1987). Studies reported so
far on the effects of saponins on cholesterol homeostasis concern mainly the triterpenoid
saponins from lucerne (Malinow, 1984) and the steroidal saponin from soya bean (Sidhu et al.,
1987; Calvert et al., 1981), which reduce the intestinal uptake of cholesterol. It has also been
reported that a steroidal saponin, digitonin, prevents or lowers hypercholesterolaemia in monkeys (Malinow et al., 1978; Oakenfull and Fenwick, 1978) without modifying HDL-cholesterol
levels (Malinow et al., 1981). In contrast, Gibney et al. (1982) reported no effect of a commercial
saponin when fed to rats and hamsters. However, this study mentioned neither the chemical
structure nor the origin of the saponin used.
Saponins derived from lucerne (Medicago sativa, alfalfa) were found to reduce plasma cholesterol levels by the direct binding of dietary saponins with cholesterol in the digestive tract with
subsequent excretion of the complex in the faeces (Malinow et al., 1977; 1981; Story et al.,
1984). Other types of saponins affect cholesterol metabolism indirectly by interacting with bile
acids and increasing their faecal excretion (Oakenfull et al., 1984). However, whereas lucerne
saponins interact directly with cholesterol (Gestetner et al., 1971), soya bean saponins do not
appear to do so (Birk, 1969). The results of Stark and Madar (1993) indicate that saponins present in fenugreek, similar to soya bean saponins, do not interact directly with cholesterol.
However, using the inverted sac technique, an ethanol extract of fenugreek exhibited a strong
inhibitory effect on bile salt absorption (Stark and Madar, 1993), in a quantitative manner.
These findings are in agreement with those of Bhat et al. (1985) and Sharma (1984), where fenugreek enriched diets were found to increase both faecal weight and excretion of bile acids. The
mechanism that causes this effect is still not clear. One possibility, is that large mixed micelles
are formed containing bile salts and saponins, and as these large molecules are not available for
© 2002 Georgios A. Petropoulos
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Molham Al-Habori and Amala Raman
absorption (Sidhu and Oakenfull, 1986), they are lost in the faeces. The observed lowering of
blood and hepatic cholesterol may be due to a subsequent increase in the conversion of cholesterol
to bile acids by the liver.
Fenugreek seed saponins are of a steroidal nature with diosgenin (Figure 10.1) as the main
sapogenin (Mahato et al., 1982). Diosgenin has various effects on cholesterol metabolism, one of
the most important being the capacity to lower plasma cholesterol concentration in chickens and
rabbits fed with cholesterol (Laguna et al., 1962). The hypocholesterolaemic effect of diosgenin
has been suggested to depend on its capacity to inhibit cholesterol absorption, increase biliary
cholesterol secretion, increase faecal excretion of neutral sterols and thus to decrease liver cholesterol concentrations (Cayen and Dvornik, 1979; Uchida et al., 1984; Ulloa and Nervi, 1985).
Malinow (1985) has shown that diosgenin glucoside was more efficient than diosgenin in
reducing intestinal absorption of cholesterol. At comparable small doses, diosgenin glucoside
inhibited cholesterol absorption in vivo and in vitro, whereas diosgenin did not (Malinow, 1985;
Malinow et al., 1987). Sauvaire et al. (1991) have examined the transformation of fenugreek subfractions rich in steroid saponins during their passage through the digestive tract, to determine
the relative contribution of saponins and/or diosgenin and other steroid sapogenins to the hypocholesterolaemic effect of fenugreek seeds. Faecal samples from alloxan diabetic dogs fed with
the fenugreek subfractions were analyzed by capillary GC-MS for the presence of sapogenins.
The results suggest that saponins, are in part (about 57 per cent), hydrolysed into sapogenins
(disogenin, smilagenin, gitogenin) in the digestive tract, the location of fenugreek saponin
hydrolysis in the digestive tract was not determined. The authors concluded that saponin
hydrolysis does occur, presumably in the stomach and/or in the proximal small intestine
(Sauvaire et al., 1991), but since hydrolysis was incomplete, saponins may be implicated, alone
or together with sapogenin, in the observed hypocholesterolaemic effect of fenugreek seeds.
Apart from the role of fenugreek saponins and sapogenin, it has been suggested that the inhibition of bile salt absorption may be primarily mechanical, due to the formation of a physical
barrier by fenugreek extracts such as the gel fraction. A study by Ribes et al. (1987) showed that
a fibre-rich subfraction (‘a’) separated from the saponins also displayed a hypocholesterolaemic
effect. Galactomannan derived from fenugreek seeds has been reported to inhibit intestinal bile
acid absorption, reducing the efficiency of their enterohepatic circulation and subsequently
decreasing plasma cholesterol level (Madar and Shomer, 1990).
Anti-fertility effects
Efforts have been made to study the contraceptive and anti-fertility effects of crude extracts
of plants of a diverse nature (Rao et al., 1988; Sethi et al., 1990; Desta, 1994), but as yet not
a single plant has been found to be successful as a potent clinically effective contraceptive agent.
A number of studies have been conducted on the potential use of fenugreek in contraception.
Effects in the male
Fenugreek has been used as a spermicidal agent in albino rats (Dhawan et al., 1977) and in in
vitro studies utilizing human semen (Setty et al., 1976). The n-butanol extract of fenugreek at 2
per cent has been reported to have spermicidal activity; this has been related to the saponins present in this fraction (Setty et al., 1976). Further studies of saponins of known chemical structure
revealed that the spermicidal potency is associated with -amyrin C-28
carboxylic acid type of sapogenin(s) such as hederagenin, oleanolic and basic acids. -Amyrin
sapogenins without C-28 carboxylic acid such as glycyrrhetic acid, and bacogenin or the
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173
-amyrin C-28 carboxylic acid type of sapogenins such as brahmic acid and asiatic acid are
devoid of sperm immobilizing properties (Setty et al., 1976). Moreover, the degree of activity of
a particular saponin appears to be dependent upon a specific sequence of attachment of sugar
moieties on certain genin molecules (hederagenin, oleanolic or basic acids) besides the presence
of a free C-28 carboxylic acid group in the -amyrin nucleus (Stolzenberg and Parkhurst, 1974;
Setty et al., 1976).
Kamal et al. (1993) reported that the steroidal extract (sapogenin) of fenugreek seeds at
100 mg/day/rat administered orally for 60 days significantly reduced the weight of the testis
epididymis, ventral prostate and seminal vesicles, with no differences in the body weight with
respect to the control group. A fertility test gave 100 per cent negative results in the treated
group, whereas libido remained unchanged as evidenced by the vaginal plugs in females kept in
the same cage (Kamal et al., 1993). This loss of fertility was attributed to decreased spermatozoal
density and motility of cauda epididymis. The reduction in the reproductive organs’ weight may
indicate a decrease in the circulating levels of androgen (Chinoy et al., 1982). A decline in other
androgen dependent parameters, that is, protein, sialic acid and fructose, also suggest a reduction in androgen levels (Prasad and Rajlakshmi, 1976; Kamal et al., 1993). Thus fenugreek
extracts may exert anti-fertility and anti-androgenic activity in male albino rats (Kamal et al.,
1993).
Effects in the female
While consumption of fenugreek seeds by women during lactation is highly recommended in
India (Nadkarni, 1954), its use in pregnancy is restricted. Studies in female rats fed diets
containing 5 or 20 per cent fenugreek seed powder for a period of 21 days (Mital and Gopaldas,
1986a) showed no significant effect on the number of implantations, number of resorptions, or
foetal and placental weight as compared to the control groups. Another study, where fenugreektreated rats were allowed to continue pregnancy to full term and give birth, showed no significant effect on the litter size (Mital and Gopaldas, 1986b). In addition, the findings of Mital and
Gopaldas (1986b) demonstrated no additional beneficial effect of fenugreek seeds during the lactation period contrary to an earlier study of El-Ridi et al. (1954), which suggested that the oil
extracted from the fenugreek seeds contained a lactation promoting factor.
In contrast to the above studies, Khare et al. (1983) reported a mild anti-fertility effect of
feeding an ethereal extract of fenugreek seeds to female rats, where the absence of foetal implants
was regarded as an anti-fertility index. It has been postulated that the ethereal extract is a concentrated source of the steroidal substance diosgenin (Figure 10.1), which is used as a starting
material in the synthesis of sex hormones and oral contraceptives (Shankaracharya and
Natarajan, 1972). The dose administered was 25 mg of extract per 100 g body weight. Based on
the fact that the ethereal extract or ‘oil fraction’ is 7 per cent of the whole fenugreek seed powder, the 25 mg of the ethereal extract used by Khare et al. (1983) is equivalent to 357 mg of
fenugreek seeds, which appears to be lower than that used by Mital and Gopaldas (1986a).
Fenugreek seed powder at 175 mg/kg administered daily to mature adult female albino rats
for the first 10 days of the post-mating period showed an 18 per cent abortifacient activity compared with the 2 per cent seen in the control group (Sethi et al., 1990). In the same study the
number of resorptions was 10 compared with 1 in the control. A more recent study by Elbetieha
et al. (1996) showed that the aqueous extract of fenugreek administered orally by intragastric
intubations to female rats for the first 6 days of pregnancy did not produce effects significantly
different from the control group. There was, however, a 66 per cent increase in the number of
resorptions in those females treated with fenugreek (Elbetieha et al., 1996). Embryonic resorption
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Molham Al-Habori and Amala Raman
most probably resulted from the transplacental passage of the substance to the embryo in addition to modification of the uterine lining function. The effect of fenugreek was attributed to a
possible estrogenic activity (Al-Hamood and Al-Bayatti, 1995). It is well known that estrogens,
depending on the dose, are responsible for stimulating uterine contractility and restricting the
development of implanted embryo.
Miscellaneous pharmacological effects
Gastric ulcer and wound healing effects
Fenugreek, in the form of a tea, is used as a herbal remedy in Chinese folk medicine for the treatment of gastritis (Duke and Ayensu, 1985). Al-Meshal et al. (1985) demonstrated that prophylactic treatment with fenugreek extract for 5 days did not produce any protective effect against
gastric lesions induced by phenylbutazone and reserpine in rats. These results show the absence
of any antisecretory and cytoprotective effect. However, when administered as a curative for five
consecutive days to rats already treated with ulcerogenic doses of phenylbutazone, it produced
a significantly faster healing of the ulcers. Fenugreek extract produced a mild relaxant effect
on the smooth muscle of a rabbit’s isolated duodenum when added to the organ-bath at
0.5 mg/mL (Al-Meshal et al., 1985). The marked demulcent activity and mild anticholinergic
action of fenugreek was suggested to be responsible for its effectiveness in promoting the healing of phenylbutazone induced ulcers.
Wound healing properties of fenugreek seeds have also been demonstrated in excision,
incision and dead-space wound models in rats (Taranalli and Kuppast, 1996). Fenugreek seed
suspension was more effective than aqueous seed extract in promoting wound healing in these
models.
Anti-cancer effects
The ethanolic extract of Trigonella foenum-graecum, with an ED50 less than 10 g/mL in the brine
shrimp cytotoxicity assay, was also observed to possess anti-tumour activity in A-549 male lung
carcinoma, MCF-7 female breast cancer and HT-29 colon adenocarcinoma cell lines (Alkofahi
et al., 1996). The extract gave negative results in the mutagenicity test.
Anti-microbial effects
Bhatti et al. (1996) reported that the aqueous and ethanol extracts of fenugreek seeds showed
anti-bacterial activity.
Anthelmintic properties
Fenugreek seeds have been used as an anthelmintic against the most common nematodes (Mishra
et al., 1965). Ghafghazi et al. (1980) showed a water extract of fenugreek seeds to have dose
dependent anthelmintic activity in vitro on both cestodes and nematodes. The extract also resulted
in 87 per cent inhibition of embryonation of Ascaris lumbricoides eggs (Ghafghazi et al., 1980).
Anti-nociceptive effects
Using the tail-flick and formalin tests, Javan et al. (1997) have demonstrated an anti-nociceptive
effect of an aqueous extract prepared from fenugreek leaves (1–2 g/kg given intraperitoneally).
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175
Toxicity studies
Short-term (90 days) feeding of fenugreek seeds to rats at levels equivalent to two and four times
the therapeutic dose recommended for humans (25 g/day) produced no toxic effects as evidenced
by: normal liver function tests, lack of any histopathological changes in the liver and no changes
in haematological parameters (Udayasekhara Rao et al., 1996). Moreover, long-term (24 weeks)
administration of fenugreek seeds at 25 g/day, exhibited no clinical hepatic or renal toxicity or
haematological abnormalities in diabetic subjects (Sharma et al., 1996b). This dose was sufficient to improve glucose tolerance (Raghuram et al., 1994; Sharma, 1986b) and lipid profile
(Sharma et al., 1996a) in NIDDM humans.
Two cases of severe reactions to fenugreek seed powder were reported in patients known to
suffer from food allergies (Patil et al., 1997). The first developed rhinorrhoea, wheezing and
fainting following inhalation of the powder. The second developed numbness of the head, facial
angioedema and wheezing after applying fenugreek paste to the scalp as a dandruff treatment. In
skin scratch tests, a number of patients were found to have strong sensitivity to fenugreek.
Immunoglobulins (IgE-type) capable of binding to proteins in fenugreek seeds were found in
the sera of some patients.
Fenugreek seed extract did not produce any effect on the mean arterial blood pressure of
anaesthetised rabbit in a dose of 20 mg i.v. nor on the isolated heart at a dose of 2.5 mg added to
the perfusion fluid (Al-Meshal et al., 1985).
The LD50 of fenugreek leaf aqueous extract in male and female mice was reported to be about
10 g/kg body weight for oral administration and 2 g/kg for intraperitoneal adminstration. Mild
central nervous stimulation, rapid respiration and tremors were observed following high doses
of the aqueous extract (Abdel-Barry et al., 1997). Javan et al. (1997) estimate the LD50 in mice of
a similar extract as 4 g/kg by the same route.
Summary
Trigonella foenum-graecum (fenugreek) is an important culinary and medicinal plant in many cultures. Fenugreek seeds have been widely studied for their reputed anti-diabetic, hypocholesterolaemic and anti-fertility effects. Various preparations of the seeds have been shown in human and
animal model studies to lower blood glucose, improve glucose and starch tolerance and have
beneficial effects on serum cholesterol and lipid profiles. The anti-diabetic effects have been
associated with the intestinal effects of the gum fibre (galactomannan), insulin secretagogue
activity of a major amino-acid (4-hydroxyisoleucine) and unidentified components with effects
on peripheral glucose utilisation. Hypocholesterolaemic effects have been associated mainly with
reduced intestinal reabsorption of cholesterol and bile acids. This activity has been linked to the
saponins and sapogenins (e.g. diosgenin), and also to galactomannan fibre. However, hypolipidaemic effects are associated only with the saponins or sapogenins and not the fibre. Fenugreek
steroidal sapogenins have been suggested to possess spermicidal and anti-androgenic activities in
male rats, whilst crude fenugreek extracts have been reported to be abortifacient and cause
embryo resorption in female rats.
Properties of fenugreek that have been reported but which have received less attention,
include anti-cancer, anti-bacterial, anthelmintic, anti-cholinergic and ulcer and wound healing
activities. Fenugreek leaves have been less well studied than the seeds, but are reported to have
antinociceptive and hypoglycaemic effects.
The considerable body of scientific evidence reviewed here, suggests that fenugreek
does indeed possess a number of important medicinal properties. The consumption of defatted
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Molham Al-Habori and Amala Raman
fenugreek may be particularly beneficial in the management of diabetes and hypercholesterolaemia and the prevention of atherosclerosis and coronary heart disease. It may be advisable,
however, to note the potential for anti-fertility effects and allergic reactions in susceptible
individuals.
Acknowledgement
The authors thank the British Council (Sana’a, Yemen) for financing a sabbatical visit by
Dr Molham Al-Habori to King’s College London, during which time this manuscript was prepared. A review article containing much of the information presented in this chapter has been
published in Phytotherapy Research. Al-Habori-M and Raman A (1998) Review: Antidiabetic and
hypocholesterolaemic effects of fenugreek. Phytotherapy Research 12, 233–42.
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© 2002 Georgios A. Petropoulos
11 Marketing
Christos V. Fotopoulos
Introduction
From time immemorial, spices have played a vital role in world trade due to their varied
properties and applications. We primarily depend on spices for flavor and fragrance as well as for
color, as a preservative and for its inherent medicinal qualities. Although about 107 spices are
recorded, only about a dozen are important – black pepper, cardamom, ginger, turmeric, large
cardamom, cumin, coriander, fennel, fenugreek, chillies, saffron and celery. Of all those spices
the marketing analysis here will focus on fenugreek, although problems frequently arise with
production and trade statistics since spice products are frequently combined under one heading
(Edison, 1995).
Although the spice industry has undergone substantial changes since early developments, the
product range and the global pattern of trade has not altered radically.
At the beginning of the twentieth century, Asian producers had achieved a dominant position
in the export of spices, British India was by far the most important of these followed by Japan,
Thailand, China and Dutch East Indies (now Indonesia). The main flow of trade was to Ceylon
(Sri Lanka), which was the hub of the Asian market, and to the British Straits Settlement (now
Malaysia) in which Singapore played an important role as an entrepot. Asian exports to Europe
and North America were on a much smaller scale.
Severe disruption of the South East Asian and Far Eastern trade occurred during the Second
World War. After the cessation of hostilities a rapid recover occurred and in the postwar period
the main flow of trade in spices has been from India and China to Sri Lanka and Malaysia, and
from Mexico and Japan to the US. From the early l970s however, historical trading patterns
underwent a significant change with the reduction of imports into Sri Lanka and the emergence
of China and India as the world’s chief exporters of spices, while Morocco is the second most
important exporter to the European Union (EU) (Purseglove, 1981).
Although, historically, the spice industry in each of the main European nations developed to a
large extent independently, the creation of the EU has done much to encourage its integration.
Rotterdam, Hamburg, London and Marseilles have traditionally been the main entrepot centers
for spices and many of the biggest importers are based in these cities. Some of these traders have
themselves diversified into the processing and packing of spices. The majority of these companies are involved in importing other commodities and food stuffs. Some, however, specialize
almost exclusively in one or two particular spices. All of them now operate on a European-wide
basis.
The volume of world trade in fenugreek has always been subject to considerable fluctuations.
One major factor contributing to these variations is that international trade in this commodity
is only a small percentage of global production. Considerable difficulties are encountered in
attempting to determine the level of trade in fenugreek. Apart from the common shortcomings
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in the export statistics of many of the major exporting countries, the trade in small volumes of
this commodity from numerous other minor exporters is rarely reported, and even in some of the
major importing countries in the Western hemisphere import statistics are frequently deficient.
The published statistics must be regarded therefore, as no more than very approximate orders of
magnitude in many instances. An estimate of the world trade in whole and ground fenugreek
has fluctuated around 10,000 tons.
The overall market structure for fenugreek in Western Europe and the US are not dissimilar
although there are differences at the margin. Common to other spices, both markets show some
decline in the importance of brokers and agents as increasing direct contact is made by importers
and spice-packers with suppliers in the producing countries. The two markets also show
a decline in forward contracting in favor of spot trading.
Production and processing
Fenugreek is one of the earliest spices known to man. Ancient Egyptians used it as a food,
medicine and embalming agent.
Fenugreek belongs to the legume family; it is a cripping plant (in some cases) with whitish
blossoms. It is especially resistant to drought and temperature changes. As in the raze, with
legumes, the whole plant and particularly the product and the seeds are rich in proteins.
Fenugreek has a strong, pleasant and quite peculiar odor reminiscent of maple.
It is an annual, maturing about 3–5 months from sowing. During the annual production, the
whole plant is harvested and hung up to dry before being threshed to obtain the square-shaped
seed. International dealers require low levels of admixture (loose husks, dirt, other seeds, etc).
The level should be no more than 4 percent and preferably below 1 percent (Robbins, 1997).
Use
In many infertile areas, the plant has been used (especially in early times) as an alternative
to cereals in rotation techniques. Fenugreek fixes nitrogen in the soil and can be used as a forage
as well as for the provision of seed. Forage yields of 9 tons/h and seed yields of 3.5 tons/h are
claimed.
The main international trade in fenugreek is in the seeds but the fresh and dried leaves are also
used to flavor curries.
The principal uses of fenugreek seed are in spice mixes for processed meat products and to
a lesser extent, in curry powder. Fenugreek seed is also used extensively in Italian cooking, particularly in pizzas and certain pastas. The whole seed is available in retail packs. Other uses of
fenugreek seed is in animal feed flavor for both ruminant and pig feed. Before incorporation in
the feed, the seed is ground and roasted. Fenugreek was traditionally blended in equal proportions with aniseed but the price of aniseed has increased considerably and its use has been much
reduced. Cheaper synthetics, including vanillin and anethole, have made inroads at the expense
of natural spices, but fenugreek seed being reasonably low-priced has been able to maintain its
position better than most (Smith, 1982).
An essential quantity of fenugreek seed is used for the production of extracts. Fenugreek spice
extracts were developed to meet the new demands of the food processing industry. They have the
following advantages:
●
●
●
consistency in flavor
not affected by bacterial contamination
much longer shelf life
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Marketing
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easier storage and handling
full release of flavor during cooking
can easily be blended to achieve the desired characteristics.
The essential constituent of spices, which provides the aroma, flavor, pungency and colour,
together make up a very small part, often less than 10 percent by weight of the whole. The balance mainly functions as the inert matrix and protective sheath for these essential constituents.
These essential constituents may be obtained by solvent extraction of the spices, resulting in an
extract called the spice oil or oleoresin, which consists of a complex mixture closely resembling
the characteristics of the spice as a whole.
On steam distillation, the spices yield their volatile constituents. The essential oils thus
obtained are endowed with the major part of the spice flavor and fragrance properties.
The oleoresins containing all the volatile as well as non-volatile constituents of the spices,
most closely represent the total flavor of the fresh spice in a highly concentrated form (Spices
Board India, 1997).
Fenugreek oil and oleoresin can be used to advantage wherever fenugreek spice is used, except
in those applications where the appearance or filler aspect of the fenugreek spices is of importance. In addition to the benefit of standardization, consistency and hygiene afford by fenugreek
oil and oleoresin, there is a big potential in their use for new product development. New flavors
and fragrances are constantly being sought to entice the consumer. This applies equally to food
products, medications, as well as other non-food products.
Fenugreek oil and oleoresin are mainly used as food flavors, especially in dressings, soups,
packed goods, fish and vegetables. It can also be used in artificial maple syrups, cosmetics, in
tobacco flavors and sour spice seasonings. Small quantities, with a declining trend of fenugreek
extract, are used in animal feed flavors. The decline is attributed to competition from cheaper
synthetics. The extract was usually blended with anethole or an aniseed extract and dispersed on
a base for mixing with the feed. There have recently been technical developments involving the
spraying of liquid flavors on the feed stuffs, which it is claimed gives a better flavor dispersion
than the usual method of simply sprinkling the dry flavor compound on to the feed. Therefore
the demand for fenugreek extract may increase again. However, there is still some resistance to
liquid flavors for the reasons mentioned before. Furthermore, any increase in the use of fenugreek extract can be expected to lead to a corresponding fall in the use of the ground spice.
Moreover, it is argued that the seed offers a great potential as a source of the steroid precursor
diosgenin. However, despite the development of seeds with high diosgenin content, extraction is
not yet economic.
Industry structure
Apart from the large trading houses there are a series of small importers (often of ethnic origin)
who supply either whole or ground spices to health food shops, small grocers and market traders.
As health and sanitary legislation becomes more rigorous it will be more and more difficult for
these small companies to survive. They are presently the targets of much criticism concerning
quality control and product testing methods.
Most spice grinders and packers in Europe were originally established as small family concerns. Many of them have now been sold to large, often multinational companies, specializing in
spices and other food ingredients. The consolidation of the industry is taking place very rapidly.
Small companies can no longer afford the very high capital costs of new processing and packing
machinery and above all sophisticated testing and quality control equipment. Probably of
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Christos V. Fotopoulos
greater importance is the growing cost of marketing and promotion. Only the larger food manufacturers can afford the enormous advertising and promotion costs involved in selling branded
products. The market is increasingly dominated by two food groups: McCormick of the USA
and Burns Philip and Co. of Australia. Other major companies include Fuchs (which operates in
Germany and France), Ducros (which operates in France and Spain) and CPC International, a US
company. Many of the smaller companies prefer to supply to the catering trade or pack on
contract for the supermarkets.
The spice extraction industry, producing spice oils, oleoresins or concentrated spice extracts
and flavors, is now mainly in the hands of companies manufacturing a range of food ingredients
or flavors and fragrance compounds. Food ingredient manufacturers will produce such products
as colorants, stabilizers, gum resins and emulsifiers as well as spice extracts. Many of these are
still small independent firms (e.g. East Anglia Food Ingredients, UK, or Aralco, France). The
industry reports a slow trend away from processed spice extracts to the natural product. People
prefer to see the spices they are consuming in processed foods rather than taste invisible flavors.
Almost all the flavors and fragrance companies now operate on a global scale, producing customized flavor compounds for the large food manufacturers. Ten companies have more than
70 percent of this market worldwide. They include Quest Harmman and Reimer, Givaduan and
International Flavors and Fragrances (Commonwealth Secretariat, 1996).
The rapid growth in convenience foods and the spread of fast-food chains will have a powerful
influence on the future structure and direction of the spice industry. The ready-to-eat food and
catering sector are in many cases larger consumers of spices and spice products than the household market. Many of the spice processors are themselves diversifying into food processing
and food ingredient manufacturing. Companies like McCormick, Kuhne and Amora all supply
pickles, relishes and mayonnaise as well as a wide range of pourable spice sauces. It is in this area,
not in packaged spices that most observers see growth in the market.
The structure of the spice industry is presented analytically in Figure 11.1.
Own label
spices
Animal
feed
Branded
ground spices
Seasoning
sauces
Grinders and
packers
Importer
dealer
agent
Food ingredient
manufacturers
Spice extraction
industry
Exporter/
shipper
Grower
Figure 11.1 The structure of the spice industry.
Source: Commonwealth Secretariat, 1996.
© 2002 Georgios A. Petropoulos
Spicy
prepared
foods
Food
catering
Marketing
187
Market structure of the main exporting and importing countries
Fenugreek is traded mainly in seed form and to a lesser extent as a spice and as an extract
(oil, oleoresin). However, all three forms of traded fenugreek are often aggregated with other
seeds, spices or extracts in trade statistics thus impeding the exact calculation of fenugreek
traded volume. Here, an attempt is made to outline the market structure for fenugreek products
in the major importing and exporting countries.
Exporting countries
India
India has a predominant position in the world spice trade with substantial production back up
and availability of a wide range of spices. India produces over two million tons of spices every
year. The total world trade in spices is only one-fifth of India’s spice production. India is the
largest supplier accounting for more than one-third of the total world spice trade of
450,000 tons. Indian spices are exported to over 130 countries. India is a major supplier of a
large number of seed spices such as coriander, cumin, celery, fennel, fenugreek, garlic, etc. India
is also the leading manufacturer and supplier of spice oil and oleoresins (Spices Board, 1996a).
Spice exports from India until recently were in raw form and in bulk packaging. The recent
changes in market behavior, changes in consumer preferences and the emergence of supermarkets, etc. abroad have resulted in the usage of more value added, ready to use spices products
and spices in consumer packs. The main technology capabilities that India could achieve in the
field of spice processing and post harvest handling have helped it to move ahead of other
producing countries. The Indian exports in value added forms have shown significant growth
during the years of the last decade. The exports of value added spices like spice oils and
oleoresins, spice powders and mixtures, dehydrated spice products, etc., including spices in
branded consumer pack, have substantially increased.
As shown in Table 11.1, the cultivated acreage of fenugreek and the respective production
exhibit relative stability in the last twenty years, variation is small in acreage (25,000–30,000 ha
have been cultivated) and slightly larger in production (35,000–45,000 tons have been produced) depending on weather conditions. However, exports exhibit an increasing trend, rather
dramatic in recent years; stalling at 799 tons in 1960–61, exports rose to 15,135 tons in
1995–96, while export prices (in Rs/kgr) rose fifteen-fold during the same period. This increase
in the quantity and value of fenugreek exports, in recent years, reflects improvements in the
processed fenugreek products as well as production of new, high value-added ones.
Table 11.2 presents the major countries to which Indian fenugreek products are exported;
most exports are directed to UAE, Sri Lanka and Japan. Of the EU countries the UK, the
Netherlands, Germany and France are the major importing countries of Indian fenugreek
products.
The Spices Board India (Ministry of Commerce) Government of India is the apex agency for
the development and worldwide promotion of Indian spices. The Board is the catalyst of these
dramatic transitions. The Board has been with the Indian Spice Industry every step of the
way. The Board plays a far-reaching and influential role as a developmental, regulatory and
promotional agency for Indian spices.
The Board is an international link between the Indian exporters and the importers abroad. Its
broad-based activities include formulation and implementation of better production and quality
improvement methods, systematic research and development programs, education and training
© 2002 Georgios A. Petropoulos
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Christos V. Fotopoulos
Table 11.1 Area, production and export of fenugreek from India
Year
1960–1
1970–1
1975–6
1976–7
1977–8
1978–9
1979–80
1980–1
1981–2
1982–3
1983–4
1984–5
1985–6
1986–7
1987–8
1988–9
1989–90
1990–1
1991–2
1992–3
1993–4
1994–5
1995–6
Area
(ha)
31,164
32,964
54,764
31,276
41,797
38,478
32,355
32,246
40,630
44,687
30,256
23,866
24,091
38,402
37,635
37,297
26,050
24,629
29,578
38,633
Production
(tons)
43,473
49,659
56,773
48,176
57,575
52,636
63,203
45,697
36,429
53,580
31,953
25,949
21,243
37,431
38,806
37,694
25,485
25,372
30,432
49,046
Export
(tons)
799
1,042
1,541
1,873
3,728
5,256
4,798
4,470
3,242
3,967
3,967
5,545
2,394
3,224
2,194
3,575
6,020
3,748
6,375
5,255
4,934
7,956
15,135
Export value
(Rs/kgr)
0.87
1.40
2.58
2.36
3.38
3.59
3.26
3.80
4.13
4.24
4.24
4.95
4.13
5.22
9.11
10.26
7.09
8.13
8.74
10.84
14.62
15.40
12.38
Source: Spices Board, 1996b.
Table 11.2 Fenugreek spice exports from India during 1991–2 to 1995–6
(QTV in MT, it is referred to main countries)
Countries
Canada
France
Germany
Israel
Japan
Jordan
Korea (South)
Malaysia
The Netherlands
Singapore
Sri Lanka
Saudi Arabia
USA
UK
UAE
Total*
1991–2
1992–3
1993–4
1994–5
1995–6
32.7
8.0
53.5
102.5
853.2
103.0
168.0
241.7
146.3
992.9
664.0
591.2
457.3
320.5
842.5
16.6
47.7
117.1
125.3
425.0
125.0
277.9
169.9
319.1
437.0
102.0
385.4
461.8
238.5
1,593.2
37.0
145.0
155.0
163.3
780.4
23.0
164.5
96.3
275.7
479.8
474.0
338.5
219.8
542.5
599.6
102.6
172.0
182.2
282.5
1,065.8
5.0
230.0
191.1
462.8
415.7
1,204.7
487.3
462.4
335.5
1,058.5
111.8
242.0
203.2
338.3
401.5
224.0
250.0
305.3
552.2
418.5
1,237.6
574.5
668.3
593.3
2,770.6
5,577.3
48,415.0
4,494.4
6,678.1
8,891.1
Source: Spices Board, 1996b.
Note
* Figures of exports only partly agree with the respective figures of Table 11.1 because
only the major exporting destinations are included here.
© 2002 Georgios A. Petropoulos
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189
of growers, processors, packers and exporters, selective registration and licensing. It acts as a data
bank and communication channel for importers and exporters and promotes Indian spices
abroad (Spices Board, 1996c).
The global food market is flush with all manner of branded spices in consumer packs. All of
them bombard the consumer with chains and counterclaims for visibility and attention. But
then, the packs seldom reveal the source of origin of the products nor do they offer a clue as to
the quality associated with it. The result is that the consumer is totally confused. The Indian
Spices Logo1 is a major effort to overcome this impasse. The international consumer is by and
large aware of the intrinsic and acquired superiority of Indian spices. The Board awards the logo
selectively to exporters who have certified processing and quality control capability and
maintain a high level of hygiene and sanitation at all stages.
The latest in the Board’s campaign for quality upgradation is the introduction of the spice
House Certificate. It is an effort to recognize those exporters who have a commitment to quality,
consistency and long-term export growth. The certificate is issued to those processors/exporters
who have adequate capabilities for cleaning, processing, grading, packaging, warehousing and
quality assurance. It is hoped and believed that these units will move towards HACCP and
ISO 9000 (Fotopoulos, 1995; Spices Board, 1996c).
The Spice Board has published two lists of exporting companies specializing in fenugreek
seed and fenugreek powder, respectively. The first list consists of twenty-five companies including: Hathibhai Bulakhidas, Jatin and Company, Groversons, Swani Corporation, Gautam
Export Corporation, Palbro International, etc. The second list includes fifteen companies such
as: Vallabhadas Kanji Ltd, Vasantham Enterprises, Allana Sons Ltd, Shashuat Gum Industries,
Miltop Exports, etc.
Morocco
Full statistics of fenugreek seed are only available from 1976–78 but these show annual exports
varying between 700 and 1,700 tons. From an inspection of the statistics of the importing
countries it appears likely that annual Moroccan exports have been around 1,000 tons.
The main market has usually been Italy although Moroccan and Italian trade figures do not
correspond. The UK has also been an important market. Other significant markets include
the Netherlands, France, Germany, USA and Libya. Morocco exports small quantities of
fenugreek extract mainly to France (Smith, 1982).
Other exporting countries
Many other countries export fenugreek seed from time to time but not in volumes comparable
with those of India and Morocco. Spain has been a major supplier to the important Italian
market, in some years supplying 100–200 tons. Tunisia, Turkey and Lebanon have also exported
sizable quantities, but intermittently. In Asia, where the crop is widely produced for domestic
usage, China and Pakistan, among others, have exported fenugreek seed but the quantities are
much less than those for India. Elsewhere, Israel and Egypt occasionally export small quantities.
Cultivation trials have been conducted in several countries including Ethiopia, Kenya, Tanzania
1 The logo, a green leaf inside an elliptical ring (denoting freshness, growth and excellence), is prominently displayed
on all packs cleared and approved by the Spices Board India, so it can be easily spotted that the pack spells Indian and
quality.
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Christos V. Fotopoulos
and even the UK, but as yet there has emerged no producer large enough to challenge the dominance of the two principal exporters in international markets.
Importing countries
Germany
Germany is the largest market for spices in Europe. There are more than sixty companies that are
involved in the grading, packing and processing of spices, with another fifteen or
more importers and distributors. Germany is also the largest importer, accounting for around
30 percent of the ECU 320 million European imports market. Fenugreek imports are not
separated from turmeric imports trade statistics but from an examination of origins and of the
export statistic for the source countries, it appears that perhaps about 200 tons are imported
annually. Most of this is supplied by India but smaller amounts come from Morocco and China.
The main use is in curry powders and other spice mixes but most of the consumption is probably accounted for in animal feed flavors. A small quantity of fenugreek is said to be imported
annually from France for special application in tobacco flavors (Spices Board, 1996b;
Commonwealth Secretariat, 1996).
German households have the highest per capita consumption of spices in Europe. Spiced
bread and bakery products are widely consumed. The Germans are also the largest producers and
consumers of processed meat products. These require a wide range of spices for both flavoring
and coloring purposes. It can be pointed out here that Germany is also a major exporter of spices
and spice products.
There is a growing concentration of retailing in the hand of the supermarkets, with European
giants like Tengelman, Metro and Rewe becoming increasingly important (ten companies
account for 70 percent of the turnover).
In addition, discount stores like Aldi operate throughout Europe. A similar concentration has
taken place in the food processing and catering sector. This has given rise to a corresponding
rationalization process amongst the producers and processors of spice (Commonwealth
Secretariat, 1996).
France
France is the second largest spice market in Europe with a representation of 13 percent of the
total EU market. France has over 15 percent of the EU import market, second only to Germany.
French trade statistics aggregate imports with those of turmeric but an examination of origins
and of the export statistics of the source countries suggest that fenugreek imports are normally
more than 200 tons annually. Only the whole seed is imported and the principal origin is generally Morocco, although recently imports from India have increased substantially. The biggest
outlet for fenugreek seed in France is thought to be animal feed flavors with minor uses in spice
mixes, retail packs and also for extraction. The usage of fenugreek extracts is mostly in flavor
blends but also in some perfumery applications, a little is produced domestically but in addition
Indian and Moroccan extract are imported. Moroccan fenugreek extract is produced at the source
by a French firm, it is then blended in France, which reexports most of the refined products
(Smith, 1982; Commonwealth Secretariat, 1996).
France has one of the highest per capita consumption levels of herbs and spices in Europe.
This is due to its high culinary standards, its old colonial ties and its former domestic production base. France is still one of Europe’s largest producers of spices and spice extracts.
© 2002 Georgios A. Petropoulos
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The market for branded spices is dominated by Ducros (Erdamin Beghin Say) that has more
than 50 percent of the market, as well as a major share of the Spanish market. The only major
competitor is Amora (Donone group), which has 17 percent of the market and also strong links
in Belgium (Liebig Benelux). Supermarket and discount house labels are of increasing importance in France with around 20 percent of the market.
There has been a growing demand for exotic food in France. As a result, sales of specialty spice
mixes for Mexican, Thai and Indian cooking have been growing rapidly through specialist companies like Martignon, Laco and Thiercelin (Commonwealth Secretariat, 1996).
The Netherlands
The Netherlands is the third largest spice industry in Europe with a representation of 11.5
percent of the total EU market. The largest immigrant community and the country’s old
colonies have stimulated the local demand for spices. Fenugreek seed imports are aggregated
with turmeric in the Netherlands trade statistics but it is estimated that annual imports are normally around 300 tons. Recently, fenugreek seed imports have increased to 500 tons. The main
origin has been Morocco, but recently Moroccan imports have declined and India has become
the principal source. Significant quantities of the fenugreek purchased by spice grinders are used
in curry mixes. The balance is probably accounted for in animal feed flavors. Several quantities
of French-extracted fenugreek absolute are imported annually, mostly for fragrance uses. In addition, smaller quantities of higher strength extracts are produced domestically especially for
incorporation into tobacco flavoring, the main markets of which are outside the Netherlands
(Spices Board, 1996b; Commonwealth Secretariat, 1996).
The Netherlands is a major re-exporter of spices both to other EU countries and to the USA.
It is also a major center for spice processing. Three of the world’s largest flavor and fragrance
houses have their European manufacturing base there (Quest, International Flavors and
Fragrances (IFF) and Tastemaker). All these firms produce oleoresins, essential oils and natural
spice extracts using spices imported into the Netherlands. Apart from the above, there are four
or five companies specializing in the processing and packing of spices in the Netherlands. These
include (owned by Burns and Philip), Conimex (owned by CPC), Van Sillevoldt (Silvo brand)
and the Huybregts Groep (Commonwealth Secretariat, 1996).
Prospects for fenugreek seed in its spice application are linked to the demand from domestic
curry powder manufacturers. This demand is expected to grow but the increase in terms of
volume will be small.
United Kingdom
The UK ranks just behind the Netherlands and Spain as the fifth largest importer of spices in
Europe. The UK’s historical ties with the Commonwealth, its large Asian and Caribbean ethnic
population and its importance in the spice trade ensure its central role in the European spice
industry. Fenugreek seed imports are aggregated with those of turmeric in the UK trade statistics, but by means of an examination of origins and of exporting countries statistics it has been
estimated that imports have varied between 300–800 tons annually. The peak years were
1976–78, but very recently imports have declined. The principal source has been Morocco, in
some years providing 90 percent or more of the total, but lately increasing quantities have been
imported from India. China, Israel and Spain have also occasionally supplied smaller amounts.
The main use of fenugreek seed is in animal feed flavors. Other outlets for fenugreek seed
include curry powders and other spice mixes. There is also some demand for extraction purposes
(Smith, 1982; Commonwealth Secretariat, 1996).
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Christos V. Fotopoulos
The UK is also a major exporter of curry powder, prepared sauces and spicy foods. Food retailing in the UK market is dominated by the supermarkets, which control nearly 70 percent of the
market for food stuffs. Most supermarket chains tend to offer only one or two branded spices
plus their own label products. Schwartz is the dominant brand with over 50 percent of the
market. Three other companies – Lion Food, Bart Spices and British Pepper and Spices
(Millstone brand) – together have 16 percent of the market. All the main producers supply their
own brand of products for supermarkets, which account for 31 percent of the market
(Commonwealth Secretariat, 1996).
The UK is a major center for the manufacture of curry powders, pickles and pre-prepared
Asian foods. Companies like Veeraswamy’s (part of West Trust), Sharwoods (part of RHM),
Trustin Foods and TRS (Sutezwalla) manufacture and export worldwide. The UK is also a major
producer of fragrances and flavors with leading multinationals such as Quest International, Bush
Boake Alien and specialist firms like Lukas Ingredients and James Dalton (part of the Swiss
Flavors house, Firmenich). These companies produce and distribute spice oleoresin, spice oils
and a whole range of specialist blend spice extracts and value-added food ingredients. The
Seasonings and Spice Association has around twenty-three members, including all the major
packets and spice ingredient manufacturers (Commonwealth Secretariat, 1996).
Fenugreek seed remains outside the support system of the European Community’s Common
Agricultural Policy, there is unlikely to be any inducement for farmers to grow the crop. The
UK can therefore be expected to remain a market for imported fenugreek, although no
substantial growth is foreseen.
United States of America
No separate import statistics are published for fenugreek seed, but trade sources put imports at
about 500 tons annually, with little obvious trend. The main origin is India. Other sources are
Morocco, Israel, Pakistan and China. It seems that over half of all imports are used for extraction
purposes. Other smaller applications include curry powder and spice mixes. Both solid and liquid fenugreeks are produced domestically by two or three firms. Some Moroccan fenugreek
extract is also imported. The extract is mainly used in artificial maple syrups, also in tobacco flavors and some spice seasonings. Demand for fenugreek extract is said to be steady (Smith, 1982;
Spices Board, 1996b).
The market is increasingly dominated by two food groups: McCormick Inc. (turnover ECU
1.27 billion) the world’s largest spice company and Burns Philip and Co. of Australian (turnover
ECU 2.1 billion), which has become through the acquisition of Ostmann in Germany, Euroma
in the Netherlands and British Pepper and Spice in the UK, the largest supplier of spices in
Europe. These two concerns are estimated to control more that 25 percent of the European market (Commonwealth Secretariat, 1996).
Canada
No separate trade statistics are published for fenugreek seed, but an examination of exporting
countries’ statistics shows the market size to be about 100 tons annually, imports having
remained fairly stable. India is the main country of origin. At one time Morocco was an important supplier but trade informants claim that this source is no longer price-competitive, and very
little is now imported from there. The principal uses of fenugreek seed are in spice blends for
processed meat products and to a lesser extent, in curry powders. The whole seed is available in
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retail packs and sales could amount to 10–20 tons annually. Some fenugreek seed may be used
for the production of an extract, but Canadian flavor houses generally import a solid extract from
USA. It is used entirely in flavors, particularly in artificial maple syrup (Smith, 1982).
Belgium and Luxembourg
Fenugreek seed imports are aggregated with those of turmeric in the Belgium and Luxembourg
trade statistics but it is estimated that annual imports varying somewhere between 10–40 tons.
The main source is Morocco. The principal uses of fenugreek are in spice mixes and as an animal
feed spice. Sales of retail packs of fenugreek seed are minimal, spice packers maintaining that
they only stock the line in order to provide a full range of spices. It is unlikely that there will be
much growth in the market for a retail pack of the seed (Smith, 1982).
Denmark
Fenugreek imports are aggregated with turmeric in the Danish statistics. However, it is estimated that around 10–15 tons are imported annually, mainly re-exports from Germany, but also
small quantities from other European countries and a little directly from Morocco and India.
Demand is fairly constant. Mostly whole seed is imported. Nevertheless, importers are willing to
take ground fenugreek seed if the quality and price are favorable. The main use for fenugreek in
Denmark is in spice mixes but there is also a limited retail trade in whole and ground seed, as
well as a small level of usage in medical preparations (Smith, 1982).
Other importers
The other EU member states are not very significant importers of fenugreek and obtain most of
their suppliers from other EU states, India and Morocco. Many countries do not publish data for
fenugreek imports, but by reference to exporting countries’ statistics it appears that the Middle
Eastern countries are important markets. Kuwait has become a major importer, taking nearly
300 tons. Saudi Arabia too, imported over 600 tons annually from India. Other significant
importers in the region are North Yemen (consistently taking 200–300 tons per annum from
India in recent years), the United Arab Emirates (averaging about 2,000 tons per annum) and
Oman (70–80 tons per annum). In North Africa, Libya and Algeria sometimes take substantial
quantities from both India and Morocco. In Asia, Japan is probably the largest market, normally
importing between 400 and 800 tons annually from India. Japanese demand for fenugreek seed
is mainly for the domestic production of curry powder, and is not expected to show any significant increase. Singapore’s imports of fenugreek seed have also been around 400–600 tons in recent
years, South Korea has taken over 200 tons on occasion, while other significant Asian importers
include Sri Lanka, Nepal, Malaysia, and South Korea. Elsewhere, Australia has occasionally
imported over 50 tons per annum, but in most countries fenugreek seed is a very minor spice
(Smith, 1982; Spices Board, 1996b).
Trends in consumption and prospects
In the retail markets, spices are generally sold pre-packed in ground or whole form. These usually take the form of glass bottles or cardboard packets. Refills are available for many of the
products. In some grocery stores and health food shops spices are sold in open sacks. Customers
bring their own containers. More and more spices are being sold in the form of spice mixes or
sauces. Pourable sauces is the fastest growing area in the spice retail sector.
© 2002 Georgios A. Petropoulos
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Christos V. Fotopoulos
There is a continuing debate over the merits and demerits of processing and packing spices at
origin. Technically there are few constraints to local processing although tariffs provide some
form of trade barrier. The main area of concern is over quality control. Increasingly, stringent
food safety laws make it more and more difficult for new producers to afford the cost involved in
setting up quality control systems. These have become one of the most important cost elements
of the spice trade. The large multinationals like McCormick and Burns Philip encourage
processing at source and have set up joint ventures in places like India, Indonesia, Mexico, etc.
to provide spices in bulk.
The sale of retail pack spices from the origin is not expected to grow substantially. Apart from
the health and safety issue, suppliers need to offer a complete range of perhaps 20–50 different
products and must spend very sizeable sums of money on advertising and promotion. This cannot be done from outside the EU and US. An alternative strategy is for producers to invest in processing facilities within these countries.
In the case of spice extracts, particularly oleoresins production at origin is of growing importance. The growth in the industrial processing of spices has paralleled that of the ready-to-eat
food and beverage business. Wherever spice flavor ingredients are required for application to
food and drink products, spice extracts either in the form of oleoresins, essential oils or occasionally spray dried products are used. The objective of spice processing of this kind is to extract the
aromatic and pungent principles from the spices in order to produce a concentrated product of
uniform color and flavor. The additional advantage is that product hygiene can be strictly controlled and it can be easily stored and transported.
The spice industry is going through a period of consolidation and concentration. Importing
and processing is being handled by fewer and fewer large companies. Many are operating on
a European or worldwide scale. The buying power of these companies puts the small grower and
exporter at a considerable disadvantage in the bargaining process. To counteract this, growers
themselves will have to start working together and build long-term links with these major
concerns.
As more and more big European spice houses source their raw materials directly from the
countries of origin, there will be increasing contracts between growers and producers and consequently quality controlled growing. Such collaboration can be as joint ventures and involves
investment on the part of the spice producer in the country of growth. The advantages for both
sides are obvious: increased influence over the raw material quality on the part of the spice
processor as well as guaranteed prices, transfer of know-how and technology for the suppliers in
the country of origin. Frequently the foreign partner also invests in improved agricultural production facilities and in cleaning and drying and quality control laboratories.
Due to environment and health concerns there has been a growth in the sale of organic spices.
There is no doubt that organically certified spices will be seen more and more on the market. At
present none of the major brands have entered this field largely because of the lack of assured
quality suppliers. Another related development has been that of “diet spices”: low sodium, low
calories or fat-free sauces and seasonings (Commonwealth Secretariat, 1996; Fotopoulos, 1996).
Elsewhere, the Middle East is fast becoming the major outlet for fenugreek seed and there
could be possibilities in the region for new suppliers. The reason for the growth in demand in the
Middle East is probably the same as that given for the other spices, namely the influx of migrant
workers from South Asia. The other important area where there are prospects for expanded trade
is Asia, but imports into many countries in the region varies.
One possible application, for which it is claimed that fenugreek has good prospects, is in
the production of diosgenin, a steroid precursor. The main source of diosgenin is wild yams of
certain Dioscorea sp. Owing to supply problems in the principal producing country, Mexico,
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diosgenin has become expensive bringing about a switch to cheaper steroid precursors such as
steroids from soya beans. This has led to a sharp fall in the proportion of diosgenin to other
materials used in the production of steroids. For some oral contraception uses, steroids are also
produced by total synthesis nowadays. However, it is most unlikely that the extraction of diosgenin from fenugreek will become economically viable, as a considerable fall in the price of fenugreek would be required, which would also reduce its attraction to growers. Therefore, this
usage is thought to offer little prospect for producers.
Acknowledgment
I wish to express my appreciation and thanks to the numerous people who helped to make the
completion of this manuscript possible. In particular, Professor Roland Hardman, for his advice
and suggestions, the commercial officers of the embassies of India, Spain and Canada in Greece,
the directors of the Spices Board, Ministry of Commerce of the Indian Government, the
Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Saudi Arabia and the Indian exporting firm, Gautam
Export Corporation, for providing me with statistical data and information.
References
Commonwealth Secretariat (1996) Guidelines for Exporters of Spices to the European Market, Export Market
Development Department, Commonwealth Fund for Technical Co-operation, Commonwealth
Secretariat. Marlborough, Pall Mall, London.
Edison, S. (1995) Research Support to Productivity (Spices). The Hindu Survey of Indian Agriculture.
pp. 101–5.
Fotopoulos, C. (1995) Total quality management and the Greek food industry. In: K. Mattas,
E. Papanagiotou and K. Galanopoulos (eds), Proceedings of the 44th European Association of Agricultural
Economics (EAAE), Seminar on ‘Agro-Food Small and Medium Enterprises in a Large Integrated Economy’,
Thessaloniki, pp. 294–4.
Fotopoulos, C. (1996) Strategic planning for expansion of the market for organic products. Agricultural
Mediterranea, 126, 260–9.
Purseglove, J., Bronon, E., Green, G. and Robbins S.R. (1981) Spices, Longman Group Limited, New York.
Robbins, P. (1997) Tropical Commodities and Their Markets: A Guide and Directory, Kogain Page, pp. 112.
Smith, A. (1982) Selected Markets for Turmeric, Coriander Seed, Cumin Seed, Fenugreek Seed and Curry Powder.
Tropical Product Institute publication NG 165, London.
Spices Board (1996a) What’s On, Ministry of Commerce Government of India, P. B. No. 2277, Cochin.
Spices Board (1996b) Spices Statistics, Ministry of Commerce Government of India P. B. No. 2277, Cochin.
Spices Board (1996c) The Quality People, Ministry of Commerce Government of India, P. B. No 2277,
Cochin.
Spices Board India (1997) Spice Oils and Oleoresins from India, Ministry of Commerce, Government of India,
P. B. No 2277, Cochin.
© 2002 Georgios A. Petropoulos
Mg
1
2
3
Mn
1
3
2
B
P
1
1
2
2
3
Mg 1:
2:
3:
Mn 1:
2:
3:
B 1:
2:
P 1:
2:
3:
Fluorescent
Ethiopian
Moroccan
Fluorescent
Ethiopian
Kenyan
Moroccan
Kenyan
Fluorescent
Ethiopian
Kenyan
Color Plate I (See Chapter 6, p. 108. Panagiotis Kouloumbis)
Figure 6.1 Leaves of different fenugreek cultivars with symptoms of mineral deficiencies
(Photo: G. Petropoulos).
Color Plate II (See Chapter 6, p. 111. Panagiotis Kouloumbis)
Figure 6.2 Boron deficiency symptoms in a hybrid fenugreek plant (Fluorescent ⫻ Kenyan)
(Photo: G. Petropoulos).
© 2002 Georgios A. Petropoulos
Color Plate III (See Chapter 6, p. 114. Panagiotis Kouloumbis)
Figure 6.3 Manganese deficiency symptoms on a fenugreek plant of the Ethiopian cultivar
(Photo: G. Petropoulos).
2
1
3
4
5
6
1: Heterosporium sp. in
Fluorescent cultivar.
2: Heterosporium sp. in
Ethiopian cultivar.
3: Oidiopsis sp. in Moroccan
cultivar.
4: Oidiopsis sp. in Kenyan
cultivar.
5: Oidiopsis sp. in Ethiopian
cultivar.
6: Leaf miners in Kenyan
cultivar.
Color Plate IV (See Chapter 7, p. 123. George Manicas)
Figure 7.1 Fenugreek leaves covered by different diseases (Photo: G. Petropoulos).
© 2002 Georgios A. Petropoulos