This document provides information about the cultivation of senna (Cassia angustifolia). It discusses suitable varieties such as KKM (Se) 1, ALFT-2, and Sona for cultivation. Senna grows well in well-drained sandy or sandy loam soils with a pH of 7.0-8.5. It requires 15-20 kg/ha of seed and fertilizer of NPK at 40:40:40 kg/ha. Pests like aphids can be controlled by insecticides. Leaf spot disease can be prevented by fungicide application. Senna is harvested after 2 months and then dried for 7-10 days before grading and marketing. Irrigated fields can

1. Dr. KHUSHBOO DUBEY
DEPARTMENT OF PLANT PATHOLOGY
ASSISTANT PROFESSOR
JNCU,BALLIA

2. SENNA( Sonamukhi)
• Senna - Cassia angustifolia Vahl.
Family-Leguminosae/Fabacae
• Economic parts- Leaves and pods
Major constituents- Sennoside A, B, C, D
Uses-Laxative

3. Varieties
• KKM (Se) 1,
• ALFT-2,
• Sona are suitable varieties for cultivation.
• KKM (Se) 1 is suitable for cultivation under
rainfed conditions in Tirunelveli and Tuticorin
regions.

4. Soil and climate
• it is grown in well drained sandy or sandy
loam or laterite soils.
• It is a hardy warm weather crop grown under
rainfed and irrigated conditions.
• The soil pH suited for cultivation is 7.0 – 8.5.

5. Seed rate
•
About 15 - 20 kg/ha of seed is required.
• The seeds are scarified with sand or can be
soaked overnight in water and sown in beds at
a spacing 45 x 30 cm.

6. Season
•
The planting spreads from February - March
and June - July.

7. Manuring
.
Apply FYM 10 - 15 t/ha and N, P and K at
40:40:40 kg/ha as basal.
Apply 40 kg N at 40 days after sowing.

9. After cultivation
One or two weedings is required

10. Plant protection
Pest
Aphids
• spray dimethoate 30 EC or methyl demeton 25
EC at 1 ml/lit of water to control the pest.

11. Diseases
• Leaf spot
It can be controlled by spraying 0.50 % of
Carbendazim at fortnight intervals
• Damping off
It can be controlled by seed treatment with
Carbendazim (1 g/kg of seed)

12. Harvest
•
The first harvest of leaves and pods are done
at 2 months after sowing and subsequent
harvests at 30 days interval.
• Leaves and pods are dried for 7 - 10 days.
•

13. Post harvest handling
•
Harvested leaves and pods are spreaded in a
ventilated room until it reaches 10 %
moisture.
• Sun drying is avoided to prevent the loss of
Sennosides

14. Grading
• in the market, three or four grades of senna
are recognised based upon size and colour
• Grade A / first grade: The extra large and bold
leaves and pods having yellowish green colour
• Grade B /second grade: Produce having
brownish leaves and pods
• Grade C /lower grade: Smaller and broken
leaves and pods

15. Yield
Irrigated
Dried leaves : 2 t/ha.
Dried pod : 150 - 200 kg/ha.
Rainfed
Dried leaves : 1 t/ha.
Dried pods : 75 - 100 kg/ha.