Fenugreek | aicrps

Fenugreek

Common Name: Fenugreek

Botanical Name

Trigonella foenum-graecum L.

Family

Fabaceae

Commercial Part

Description

Fenugreek is the ripe fruit of an annual herb known for its culinary and medicinal value.

The plant is 30–60 cm tall with light green trifoliate leaves
It produces slender, beaked pods measuring 10–15 cm long
Each pod contains 10–20 hard, yellowish-brown seeds, about 3 mm long
The seeds are smooth, oblong, and have a grooved corner, giving them a hooked appearance

Climatic Requirements for Cultivation

Climate: Grows best in cool seasons; tolerant to frost and low temperatures
Rainfall: Requires moderate to low rainfall
Soil: Adaptable to all soil types but thrives in loam to clay loam soils with good drainage; also does well on black cotton soils
Sowing time: Typically grown in rabi season (October–November)

Origin and Distribution

Native to: Southeastern Europe and West Asia
Widely cultivated in:
- India (major producer)
- Argentina, Egypt, and Mediterranean countries (e.g., Southern France, Morocco, Lebanon)
In India, the major growing states are:
- Rajasthan, Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra, and Punjab

Major Growing Areas in India

Rajasthan – Nagaur, Jodhpur, Churu
Gujarat – Mehsana, Banaskantha
Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra, and Punjab in smaller extents

Popular Varieties

Rajendra Kanti, Lam Selection-1, RMt-1, RMt-305, GM-2, AFg-3
These varieties are known for high yield, good seed size, and disease resistance

Uses

Culinary:

Fresh leaves, pods, and shoots are consumed as vegetables
Dried leaves (kasuri methi) are used for flavouring and garnishing
Seeds are used as a spice in pickles, curries, and are a core ingredient in curry powder
Fenugreek extract is used as a flavouring agent in imitation maple syrup

Medicinal:

Used to treat colic, flatulence, dyspepsia, diarrhea, dysentery, and chronic cough
Helps in managing diabetes, liver and spleen enlargement, rickets, and gout
Used as a carminative, tonic, and aphrodisiac
Fenugreek oil is used in hair tonics and traditional remedies

Indian Names of Fenugreek

Foreign Names of Fenugreek