High-performance Sesbania sesban seeds delivering exceptional nitrogen fixation for green manure programs, agroforestry systems, and livestock fodder operations worldwide.
Sesbania sesban (L.) Merr. is a fast-growing, multi-purpose leguminous shrub or small tree belonging to the family Fabaceae, sub-family Papilionoideae, and tribe Robinieae. It is one of the most widely distributed and economically important species within the genus Sesbania, which comprises approximately 60 species distributed across tropical and subtropical regions of the world.
The species was first described by Carl Linnaeus as Aeschynomene sesban and was later reclassified by Elmer Drew Merrill into the genus Sesbania. The name "sesban" is derived from the Arabic word for the plant, reflecting its long history of cultivation in the Middle East and North Africa. Synonyms that appear in older literature include Sesbania aegyptiaca Poir. and Sesbania punctata DC.
Sesbania sesban is recognized by a rich array of common names that reflect its global importance:
Sesbania sesban is a deciduous, fast-growing shrub or small tree that typically reaches heights of 3 to 8 meters, with some specimens recorded at up to 10 meters under favorable conditions. The plant has a relatively short lifespan of 2 to 3 years, though individual plants in optimal environments may persist longer. Its growth habit is characterized by an erect, open canopy with a main stem diameter of 5 to 12 cm at maturity.
The leaves are even-pinnately compound, measuring 10 to 20 cm in length, with 6 to 27 pairs of oblong leaflets, each approximately 15 to 25 mm long and 4 to 8 mm wide. The leaflets are glabrous on the upper surface and slightly pubescent on the lower surface, with entire margins and a mucronate apex.
The flowers are arranged in axillary racemes bearing 2 to 20 flowers each. Individual flowers are papilionaceous, typically yellow in color with purple or brown streaking on the standard petal. The calyx is campanulate with short, triangular teeth. Flowering commences approximately 3 to 4 months after sowing and continues over several months.
The fruit is a linear, slightly curved pod measuring 15 to 25 cm in length and 3 to 4 mm in width, containing 15 to 40 seeds per pod. Mature pods are pale brown and dehiscent. The seeds are cylindrical to reniform, measuring 3 to 4 mm in length, with a smooth, brown to olive-green seed coat. The thousand-seed weight ranges from 18 to 22 grams.
One of the most agronomically significant features of Sesbania sesban is its prolific root nodulation. The plant forms a symbiotic relationship with specific strains of Rhizobium bacteria (particularly Mesorhizobium and Rhizobium species), forming large, spherical, indeterminate root nodules. Through this biological nitrogen fixation (BNF) process, Sesbania sesban can fix between 100 to 300 kg of nitrogen per hectare per year, making it one of the most efficient nitrogen-fixing tree species available for tropical farming systems.
The root system is characterized by a well-developed taproot with extensive lateral branching. Notably, Sesbania sesban also develops stem nodules when grown in waterlogged conditions, a feature shared with only a few other legume species. These stem nodules are formed by the photosynthetic Bradyrhizobium species Azorhizobium caulinodans, which contributes additional nitrogen fixation capacity under flooded conditions, making sesban particularly valuable in rice-based cropping systems.
The primary commercial application of Sesbania sesban is as a green manure crop, particularly in rice-based cropping systems in India and Southeast Asia. When incorporated into the soil at 45 to 60 days, the fast-decomposing biomass releases 80 to 180 kg of nitrogen per hectare, substantially reducing the need for synthetic fertilizers. The biomass also improves soil organic matter, water-holding capacity, and overall soil structure.
In sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia, Sesbania sesban is extensively used in improved fallow systems and alley cropping. Its rapid growth rate allows it to produce significant biomass within a single season, while its nitrogen-fixing capacity rejuvenates depleted soils. In Kenya and Zambia, sesban-improved fallows have demonstrated maize yield increases of 200 to 400 percent compared to continuous cropping.
Sesban leaves and young shoots contain 20 to 25 percent crude protein on a dry matter basis, making them an excellent supplementary feed for cattle, goats, sheep, and poultry. The leaves are palatable and highly digestible (in vitro dry matter digestibility of 55 to 70 percent). In East Africa and India, sesban is a valued browse species during dry seasons when other forage sources become scarce.
Despite its relatively soft wood, Sesbania sesban provides a useful source of firewood in fuel-scarce regions. It can produce 15 to 25 cubic meters of wood per hectare within 2 to 3 years, with a calorific value of approximately 4,600 kcal per kg. The wood is also used for making light construction poles, stakes, and temporary fencing in rural areas.
Sesbania sesban seeds contain galactomannan gum (approximately 20 to 25 percent by weight), which has applications in the food, textile, petroleum, and paper industries. The gum serves as a thickener, stabilizer, and emulsifier, and represents a cost-effective alternative to guar gum in certain industrial applications. Demand for sesban gum is growing as industries seek diversified sourcing.
Sesbania sesban is widely used in land reclamation and soil rehabilitation programs. It tolerates moderately saline and alkaline soils (up to pH 9.5), seasonal waterlogging, and nutrient-poor conditions, making it suitable for restoring degraded landscapes, stabilizing canal banks, and managing erosion in tropical environments.
India remains the largest global consumer of Sesbania sesban seeds, driven by the widespread practice of green manuring in rice-growing states such as Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, West Bengal, Andhra Pradesh, and Tamil Nadu. Indian farmers purchase thousands of metric tons of sesban seeds annually for incorporation into paddy fields before transplanting, a practice encouraged by government subsidy programs to reduce synthetic fertilizer dependence. Kohenoor International has maintained long-standing partnerships with Indian importers and agricultural cooperatives since 2005.
Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia, and Malawi represent a growing market for Sesbania sesban seeds, driven largely by agroforestry research and development programs coordinated by ICRAF (World Agroforestry Centre) and national agricultural research systems. Improved fallow programs have demonstrated transformative effects on smallholder crop yields, generating sustained demand for quality seed supplies. We regularly ship to Mombasa and Dar es Salaam ports for distribution to East African buyers.
Indonesia, Vietnam, Thailand, and the Philippines import Sesbania sesban seeds for green manure and fodder applications. Additionally, emerging interest from Central American and Caribbean countries for soil restoration programs, and from the Middle East for salinity management in agricultural landscapes, is expanding the global market for this versatile species. Our flexible packaging and documentation capabilities allow us to serve these diverse markets efficiently.
| Parameter | Specification |
|---|---|
| Botanical Name | Sesbania sesban (L.) Merr. |
| Family | Fabaceae (sub-family Papilionoideae) |
| Common Names | Egyptian sesban, river bean, sesban |
| Germination Rate | 93% minimum (ISTA tested) |
| Purity | 99% minimum |
| Moisture Content | 8% maximum |
| Thousand Seed Weight | 18 to 22 grams |
| Seed Color | Brown to olive-green |
| Origin | Pakistan (Punjab & Sindh provinces) |
| Packaging | 25 kg or 50 kg PP woven bags |
| Container Load | 18-20 MT per 20-foot container |
| Shelf Life | 18 to 24 months (cool, dry storage) |
| Certifications | Phytosanitary Certificate, ISTA Report, Certificate of Origin |
Kohenoor International offers competitive, transparent pricing for Sesbania sesban seeds based on volume and quality requirements:
| Order Volume | Price (FOB Karachi) |
|---|---|
| 1 to 5 MT | $600 to $650 per MT |
| 5 to 20 MT | $500 to $600 per MT |
| 20 MT and above | $450 to $500 per MT |
Prices are subject to seasonal availability and market conditions. CIF pricing available upon request for major destination ports. We accept Letter of Credit (LC), Telegraphic Transfer (TT), and can arrange flexible payment terms for repeat buyers. All shipments include complete export documentation: Phytosanitary Certificate, Certificate of Origin, ISTA Seed Analysis Report, Commercial Invoice, Packing List, and Bill of Lading.
Every shipment from Kohenoor International is accompanied by a comprehensive documentation package to ensure smooth customs clearance and regulatory compliance at the destination port. Our documentation capabilities reflect over two decades of seed export experience from Pakistan:
We can also accommodate additional documentation requirements such as import permits, non-GMO declarations, organic certification coordination, and insurance certificates based on your specific needs.
Sesbania sesban thrives in tropical and subtropical climates with mean annual temperatures of 20 to 30 degrees Celsius and rainfall of 500 to 2000 mm. It tolerates a wide range of soil types, from sandy loams to heavy clays, and performs well in slightly acidic to moderately alkaline soils (pH 5.5 to 9.5). The species demonstrates notable tolerance for seasonal waterlogging, making it particularly suitable for lowland rice-growing areas.
Sesbania sesban seeds have a hard seed coat that can result in slow or uneven germination. To improve field emergence, seeds should be scarified by soaking in hot water (80 degrees Celsius) for 3 to 5 minutes, followed by cooling in ambient water for 12 to 24 hours before sowing. Alternatively, mechanical scarification or brief acid scarification (concentrated sulfuric acid for 10 to 15 minutes) can be used for larger quantities. Inoculation with appropriate Rhizobium strains before sowing can enhance nodulation and nitrogen fixation, particularly in soils where sesban has not been previously grown.
For green manure purposes, broadcast seeding at 40 to 60 kg per hectare is common. When sown in rows for agroforestry hedgerows, 5 to 10 kg per hectare at 30 to 40 cm intra-row spacing is recommended. For seed production plots, wider spacings of 50 to 75 cm between rows and 20 to 30 cm within rows promote better branching, flowering, and seed development. Sowing depth should be 1 to 2 cm in well-prepared, moist soil beds.
Established in 2003, Kohenoor International has built two decades of specialized expertise in sourcing, processing, and exporting premium sesbania seeds from Pakistan. Our deep understanding of varietal differences, quality parameters, and destination-country requirements ensures every shipment meets buyer expectations.
We maintain established relationships with seed-producing farmers across Punjab and Sindh provinces, ensuring traceability from field to container. Direct sourcing eliminates intermediary markups and gives us control over seed quality from harvest through cleaning, grading, and packaging.
Our processing facility is equipped with gravity separators, air-screen cleaners, and indented cylinder separators that achieve 99% purity. Every lot is laboratory-tested for germination, moisture, and weed seed contamination. We maintain detailed lot traceability records for each shipment.
Standard packaging in 25 kg or 50 kg PP woven bags with custom labeling available. We handle all export logistics including container stuffing, fumigation, phytosanitary clearance, and documentation, shipping from Karachi port to destinations worldwide.
Kohenoor International exports multiple sesbania seed varieties to serve diverse agricultural applications worldwide.
Edible flowers, medicinal uses, fast-growing tree reaching 8-15m. Popular in Southeast Asian cuisine.
India's top green manure crop for rice fields. Annual herb, galactomannan gum source, highest volume variety.
Peer-reviewed research, agronomic trial results, and comparative data across sesbania species.
Get competitive pricing on premium-quality Sesbania sesban seeds with 93%+ germination. We ship worldwide from Karachi, Pakistan.