The Potential Uses of Indigofera L. in India

Abstract

Indigofera is an important genus of arid, semi-arid and temperate regions of India. Its species are significant as forage, particularly in hot arid regions and temperate zones, as they provide good grazing alongside native grasses. I. oblongifolia Forssk. and I. cordifolia B. Heyne ex Roth are important fodder species for sheep, goats, camels and cattle in hot arid regions. The seed of I. cordifolia is the source of food during times of scarcity and famine. The species I. atropurpurea Buch.-Ham. ex Hornem., I. gerrardiana Harv., I. heterantha Wall. ex Brandis and I. pulchella Roxb. are sources of good quality fodder and rich in protein in the Himalayan region. The research on the exploitation of Indigofera has been considerably less compared to other pasture legumes. Therefore, the present paper highlights the habits and potentials of Indigofera species for its forage, food, medicinal and other ethnobotanical information, and emphasizes its sustainable utilization and future prospects.