Senna alexandrina

Cultivation Details

Plants can be grown in the drier warm temperate to tropical zones. Prefers a deep, well-drained, moderately fertile sandy loam and a position in full sun^[1]. Germination is hampered by salinity but older plants are salt-tolerant. Senna alexandrina does not tolerate continuous waterlogging or heavy irrigation^[2]. The plant is mostly grown as an annual crop, but it can be left standing to produce for another 2 - 3 years^[2]. Flowers and fruits are formed throughout the year^[2]. Yields vary considerably depending on the soil and water conditions. In India the average annual yield is about 700 kg of leaves and 100 kg of pods per ha under rainfed conditions. Under irrigation the yield of leaves and pods is about 1400 kg/ha and 150 kg/ha, respectively. Although the sennoside content is higher when plants are under stress, moderate irrigation and fertilization pay off through increased leaf and total sennoside yields^[2]. Although many species within the family Fabaceae have a symbiotic relationship with soil bacteria, this species is said to be devoid of such a relationship and therefore does not fix atmospheric nitrogen^[3].