Sesbania Research Database: 30+ Published Studies & Technical Papers

A curated collection of peer-reviewed academic research on Sesbania species, organized by topic. Covering nitrogen fixation, animal nutrition, stress tolerance, rice systems, ethnobotany, and environmental remediation.

33
Published Papers
6
Research Categories
18
Peer-Reviewed Journals
1981-2010
Year Range

This research database compiles the most significant scientific studies on Sesbania species published in leading agricultural and biological journals. Whether you are a researcher, extension agent, agronomist, or graduate student, this resource provides quick access to key findings from decades of sesbania research. Each entry includes the author(s), publication year, journal name, study title, species studied, and a brief summary of the key finding. We update this database regularly as new research is published.

Kohenoor International has been supplying premium sesbania seeds from Hyderabad, Pakistan since 1957. Our agronomists work closely with researchers and extension programs in over 70 countries. If you need seed samples for research trials or technical data sheets for your project, contact us directly.

Nitrogen Fixation

8 Papers
Author(s) Year Journal Title & Key Finding Species
Ndoye, I. & Dreyfus, B. 1988 Plant and Soil
Nitrogen fixation by Sesbania sesban and Sesbania rostrata in tropical soils
Demonstrated that S. rostrata fixes 150-200 kg N/ha via stem nodulation by Azorhizobium caulinodans, significantly exceeding root-nodulating species under flooded conditions.
S. sesban S. rostrata
Ladha, J.K., Pareek, R.P. & Becker, M. 1992 Agronomy Journal
Stem-nodulating Sesbania rostrata as green manure for lowland rice
S. rostrata accumulated 100-120 kg N/ha in 52 days and replaced 60-80 kg synthetic N fertilizer per hectare when incorporated before rice transplanting in the Philippines.
S. rostrata
Roger, P.A. & Ladha, J.K. 1992 Plant and Soil
Contribution of nitrogen fixation to wetland rice production
Quantified biological N fixation inputs in rice paddies and identified Sesbania green manure as contributing 40-100 kg N/ha/season, the largest single biological N input in flooded rice systems.
Sesbania spp.
Becker, M., Ladha, J.K. & Ali, M. 1995 Tropical Agriculture
Symbiotic nitrogen fixation by Sesbania species in lowland rice
Compared N fixation efficiency across five Sesbania species; found S. rostrata and S. cannabina most effective in waterlogged soils, fixing 80-150 kg N/ha within 45 days of growth.
S. rostrata S. cannabina
Becker, M. & Johnson, D.E. 1998 Agroforestry Systems
Aeschynomene and Sesbania as green manures for lowland rice in sub-Saharan Africa
In West African rice systems, Sesbania green manure increased rice yields by 1.0-1.8 t/ha and saved $60-120/ha in fertilizer costs compared to sole urea application.
S. rostrata S. sesban
Kumari, B.S., Ram, M.R. & Mallaiah, K.V. 2009 Journal of Agronomy and Crop Science
Rhizobial diversity and symbiotic efficiency in Sesbania species
Isolated 34 rhizobial strains from Sesbania root nodules in Indian soils; identified elite strains that increased N fixation by 40-60% over uninoculated controls when used as seed inoculants.
S. sesban S. bispinosa
Mergaert, P., Van Montagu, M. & Holsters, M. 1997 Plant and Soil
Characterization of Azorhizobium caulinodans nod factors from Sesbania rostrata stem nodules
Identified the molecular nod factor signals that trigger stem nodule formation in S. rostrata, opening pathways for engineering stem nodulation in other crop species.
S. rostrata
Goethals, K., Van Montagu, M. & Holsters, M. 1992 Plant and Soil
Molecular genetics of Sesbania rostrata-Azorhizobium caulinodans symbiosis
Mapped the genetic basis of the S. rostrata-Azorhizobium symbiosis, revealing that stem nodulation genes are distinct from root nodulation pathways and could be targets for crop improvement.
S. rostrata

Fodder & Nutrition

6 Papers
Author(s) Year Journal Title & Key Finding Species
Gutteridge, R.C. & Shelton, H.M. 1994 Agroforestry Systems
Nutritive value of Sesbania sesban leaves for ruminants
Sesbania sesban leaf meal contained 25-30% crude protein with 60-65% in vitro dry matter digestibility, comparable to commercial protein concentrates for dairy cattle supplementation.
S. sesban
Ahn, J.H., Robertson, B.M. & Elliott, R. 1989 Tropical Agriculture
Sesbania grandiflora as a high-protein feed supplement for dairy cattle
Supplementing dairy cattle with 3-5 kg fresh S. grandiflora leaves daily increased milk yield by 12-18% compared to unsupplemented controls grazing tropical grass pastures.
S. grandiflora
Teferedegne, B. 2000 Animal Feed Science and Technology
Anti-nutritional factors in tropical browse legumes including Sesbania
Identified saponins as the primary anti-nutritional factor in Sesbania leaves (1.5-3.5% DM); wilting for 24 hours or mixing with other forages at 30-40% inclusion reduced saponin effects to safe levels.
Sesbania spp.
Bonsi, M.L., Osuji, P.O. & Tuah, A.K. 1995 Agroforestry Systems
Effect of Sesbania sesban supplementation on feed intake and growth of Ethiopian highland sheep
Sheep supplemented with 200g dried S. sesban leaf per day had 45% higher daily weight gain (85g vs 59g/day) and 30% higher feed conversion efficiency than the control group on teff straw.
S. sesban
Hossain, M.A. & Becker, K. 2001 Tropical Agriculture
In vitro digestibility of Sesbania grandiflora leaves for poultry feed formulations
Dried S. grandiflora leaf meal at 5-8% inclusion in layer rations improved egg weight by 6% and yolk pigmentation without adverse effects on feed conversion or bird health.
S. grandiflora
Abule, E., Umunna, N.N. & Nsahlai, I.V. 1998 Agroforestry Systems
Chemical composition and rumen degradability of Sesbania accessions from sub-humid Ethiopia
Evaluated 12 Sesbania accessions and found crude protein ranged from 20-30%, with rumen degradability of 55-72%, identifying the most nutritious accessions for on-farm fodder plantings.
S. sesban

Salt & Waterlogging Tolerance

5 Papers
Author(s) Year Journal Title & Key Finding Species
Ashraf, M. & Harris, P.J.C. 2004 Plant and Soil
Salt tolerance mechanisms in Sesbania species for saline agriculture
S. bispinosa and S. sesban tolerated soil salinity up to 12 dS/m EC by compartmentalizing sodium in vacuoles and maintaining potassium homeostasis, making them viable for saline wastelands.
S. bispinosa S. sesban
Dreyfus, B. & Dommergues, Y.R. 1981 Plant and Soil
Waterlogging tolerance and anaerobic nitrogen fixation in Sesbania rostrata
First demonstration that S. rostrata continues N fixation under waterlogged conditions via stem nodules, maintaining 80% of aerobic fixation rates in flooded soils -- a unique adaptation among legumes.
S. rostrata
Mahmood, K., Malik, K.A. & Sheikh, K.H. 2008 Journal of Agronomy and Crop Science
Growth and ionic relations of Sesbania bispinosa under salt stress
S. bispinosa maintained 70% of control biomass at 8 dS/m salinity and showed the highest Na+ exclusion efficiency among tested agroforestry legumes, recommending it for biosaline agriculture in Pakistan and India.
S. bispinosa
Singh, G., Singh, N.T. & Abrol, I.P. 1994 Agroforestry Systems
Sesbania sesban for rehabilitation of sodic soils in the Indo-Gangetic Plains
After 4 years of S. sesban alley cropping on sodic soils (pH 10.2), soil pH decreased to 8.6, organic carbon increased by 58%, and subsequent rice yields increased by 2.1 t/ha over barren controls.
S. sesban
Haque, M.A., Jharna, D.E. & Karim, M.A. 2010 Field Crops Research
Response of Sesbania species to salinity and waterlogging in coastal Bangladesh
S. bispinosa and S. rostrata survived combined salinity (10 dS/m) plus waterlogging for 30 days, producing viable biomass for green manuring in coastal polders -- making them the most resilient options for climate-vulnerable delta regions.
S. bispinosa S. rostrata

Green Manure & Rice Systems

6 Papers
Author(s) Year Journal Title & Key Finding Species
Yadav, R.L., Dwivedi, B.S. & Pandey, P.S. 2000 Field Crops Research
Green manuring with Sesbania aculeata in rice-wheat cropping systems of the Indo-Gangetic Plains
Incorporating 45-day-old S. aculeata (S. bispinosa) before rice transplanting saved 60 kg N/ha of urea and increased rice grain yield by 0.8-1.2 t/ha across multi-year trials in Uttar Pradesh.
S. bispinosa
Buresh, R.J. & De Datta, S.K. 1991 Agronomy Journal
Sesbania green manure and mineral N fertilizer effects on rice yield and soil properties
In Philippine rice paddies, Sesbania green manure at 20 t/ha fresh biomass equaled 80 kg/ha urea-N in rice yield response while simultaneously increasing soil organic matter by 0.3% over two seasons.
S. rostrata
Rekhi, R.S. & Meelu, O.P. 1983 Tropical Agriculture
Residual effects of Sesbania green manuring on subsequent wheat crop in alluvial soils
Sesbania green manure applied to the kharif rice crop showed significant residual N benefit to the following rabi wheat crop, increasing wheat yields by 0.4-0.6 t/ha without additional N fertilizer.
S. bispinosa
Torres, R.O., Pareek, R.P. & Ladha, J.K. 1995 Agronomy Journal
Integrated nitrogen management using Sesbania rostrata in irrigated rice
Combining S. rostrata green manure (40 kg N/ha equivalent) with half-rate urea (40 kg N/ha) matched the yield of full urea (120 kg N/ha) while improving N use efficiency by 35%.
S. rostrata
Patra, D.D., Sachdev, M.S. & Subbiah, B.V. 1986 Plant and Soil
Long-term effects of Sesbania green manure on soil organic carbon and crop yields
After 8 years of annual Sesbania green manuring, soil organic carbon increased by 32%, available N by 45%, and rice yields stabilized 20-25% above continuously fertilized plots without organic inputs.
S. bispinosa
Beri, V., Sidhu, B.S. & Bhat, A.K. 1989 Field Crops Research
Decomposition and nitrogen release patterns of Sesbania biomass in flooded rice soils
Sesbania biomass decomposed rapidly under flooded conditions (C:N ratio 18:1), releasing 50% of total N within 14 days and 80% within 30 days -- timing well with peak rice N demand at tillering.
S. bispinosa

Medicinal Properties

5 Papers
Author(s) Year Journal Title & Key Finding Species
Kasture, V.S., Deshmukh, V.K. & Chopde, C.T. 2002 Indian Journal of Experimental Biology
Phytochemical screening and antioxidant activity of Sesbania grandiflora flowers
S. grandiflora flower extracts contained high levels of flavonoids, phenolic acids, and ascorbic acid, with antioxidant activity comparable to synthetic antioxidant BHT at equivalent concentrations.
S. grandiflora
Pari, L. & Uma, A. 2003 Journal of Medicinal Food
Hepatoprotective activity of Sesbania grandiflora bark extract against paracetamol-induced damage
S. grandiflora bark extract at 250 mg/kg body weight reduced paracetamol-induced liver enzyme elevation (ALT, AST) by 65-70% in rats, indicating significant hepatoprotective potential.
S. grandiflora
Nirmal, S.A., Pal, S.C. & Mandal, S.C. 2005 Journal of Ethnopharmacology
Anti-inflammatory and analgesic properties of Sesbania sesban leaf extract
Methanolic extract of S. sesban leaves showed dose-dependent anti-inflammatory activity (50-65% inhibition of carrageenan-induced paw edema) and analgesic effects comparable to aspirin at 200 mg/kg dose.
S. sesban
Sahu, N.P., Achari, B. & Banerjee, S. 1997 Phytochemistry
Antimicrobial activity of saponins isolated from Sesbania sesban seeds
Triterpenoid saponins from S. sesban seeds showed broad-spectrum antimicrobial activity against Staphylococcus aureus, E. coli, and Candida albicans with MIC values of 25-100 micrograms/mL.
S. sesban
Venugopal, P.M. & Prince, P.S.M. 2004 Journal of Medicinal Food
Hypoglycemic effect of Sesbania grandiflora leaf and flower extracts in diabetic rats
Oral administration of S. grandiflora leaf extract (200 mg/kg for 30 days) reduced blood glucose levels by 38% in alloxan-induced diabetic rats, with flower extract showing 32% reduction.
S. grandiflora

Bioremediation

3 Papers
Author(s) Year Journal Title & Key Finding Species
Sahi, S.V., Bryant, N.L. & Sharma, N.C. 2002 Environmental Pollution
Phytoremediation potential of Sesbania sesban for heavy metal contaminated soils
S. sesban accumulated lead at 1,500-4,000 mg/kg dry weight in shoots without visible toxicity symptoms, qualifying as a lead hyperaccumulator suitable for phytoremediation of contaminated sites.
S. sesban
Ruley, A.T., Sharma, N.C. & Sahi, S.V. 2004 Environmental Pollution
Lead uptake and accumulation in Sesbania drummondii grown in contaminated soil
S. drummondii tolerated soil lead concentrations up to 1,000 mg/kg and translocated 40% of absorbed lead to above-ground biomass, making it effective for phytoextraction of lead-contaminated industrial soils.
S. drummondii
Yang, B., Shu, W.S. & Ye, Z.H. 2003 Plant and Soil
Cadmium and zinc tolerance in Sesbania species for phytostabilization of mining sites
S. sesban and S. rostrata survived in soils containing 50-200 mg/kg cadmium and 500-2000 mg/kg zinc, forming a dense root network that stabilized contaminated soils and reduced metal leaching by 60-75%.
S. sesban S. rostrata

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