North American Fruit Explorers mailing list at ibiblio

["Dr. Chiranjit Parmar" <parmarch@vsnl.com>]

This seems to be a very original idea about the use of Psyllium husk
popularly called ISBAGOL.  But I do not think that it will work.  The husk
is going to degenerate in a day or so as it is a plant material.

A few years back a multinational company Hindustan Lever ( Ithink Unilever
in the US ) had introducted a material for similar use that worked like
Psyliium husk.  It was probably some inactive and undegradable polymer.  The
compant clamed that it could hold water 100 times of its weight at the time
of irrigation that could be used by the plant later.  They had named it JAL
SHAKTI meaning water power in Hindia.

I had also used it on the apricot plantaion of the research station I was
working.  I did not notice any significant result.  The Company also did not
pursue this product commercially.

A few years after that the National Chemical Laboratory, Pune, one of
largest research Govt organizations in the area of Chemistry in India, had
also come out with a similar product.  But it could also not be popular.

I would suggest that if something like that is available in the US, it will
be better to use it instead of ISBAGOL.

Dr. Chiranjit Parmar
Horticultural Consultant on Lesser Known Indian Plants
www.lesserknownplants.com
----- Original Message -----
From: Thomas Olenio <tolenio@sentex.net>
To: <nafex@yahoogroups.com>
Sent: Wednesday, March 20, 2002 6:45 PM
Subject: [nafex] Cheapo Shortcut?


> Hello,
>
> We have all seen the soil amendments that hold water in the soil.  I have
> a question regarding using "psyllium" as a cheap alternative.
>
> Psyllium is a plant that has a medicinal use.  The husk of its seeds are
> ground, and it becomes the active ingrediant in Metamucil (fiber
> laxative).
> Psyllium holds many times it own weight it water.  It swells and becomes
> jelly-like in appearance when exposed to water.
>
> You can buy generic brands of fiber laxative, containing psyllium husks,
> very inexpensively.
>
> Has anyone ever used it as a soil amendment to hold water, either in
> potted culture, or in regular plantings?
>
> Would like to hear your results.
>
> Thanks,
> Tom
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
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