Ardy L. Cucio/Julie Ann A.
Aragones
Agriculturist II
Horticulture Section
Crop Research Division
The KATURAY Plant
Katuray, (Sesbania grandiflora (L.) Poir) is a small
soft wooded perennial tree (genus Sesbania of the Family:
Fabaceae) growing to 12 m with a cylindrical trunk diameter
of about 30 cms. It is commonly called sesbania,
agatisesbania, West Indian pea and Vegetable hummingbird
in English. In the Philippines it is locally known as Katuray
(Tagalog, Ibanag, Pangasinen-se), Diana (Bisaya),
Katuday(Ilocano, Ibanag), Gauai-gauai(Camarines, Capiz,
Negros), Kature(Pampango) and Kambangturi(Sulu).
The bark of this species is light gray, corky and
deeply furrowed and the trunk is soft and white. The ovate
leaves are alternate, evenly pinnate, and 20-30 cm long.
Leaflets are in 20-40 pairs, oblong, pale green 2.5-3.5 cm
long. The inflorescence is short and the flowers are purple, cream or white. The pods swing freely,
are slightly curved, and contain 10-25 seeds. The seeds are bean-shaped and about 2 mm x 3mm.
The fruits look like flat, long and thin green beans. The tree thrives under full exposure to sunshine
and is extremely frost sensitive.
Origin and Major Types
Katuray is believed to have originated either in India or Southeast Asia and grows primarily
in hot and humid tropical areas of the world. The tree is indigenous from Malaysia to North
Australia and cultivated in many parts of India.
Two varieties of Sesbania grandiflora are recognized including variety grandiflora which has
white flowers and variety coccinea which has rose pink or red flowers.
Production trends
Sesbania grandiflora or Katuray is a native to Asian countries such as India, Malaysia,
Indonesia and the Philippines. The tree is commonly seen growing on the dikes between rice
paddies, along roadsides and in backyard vegetable gardens. It has been introduced and has
become established in cultivation in Southern Florida, Hawaii, Jamaica, Mauritius, Central America,
and South America.
As per record of Bureau of Agricultural Statistics (BAS), Katuray thrives in the Cordillera
Autonomous Region (CAR) and Iloilo in the Philippines. However, there is no any data recorded in
their data base in terms of production area and volume of production of katuray.
Uses/Importance
Culinary
The green pods are eaten by humans and livestock. The young leaves which contain 36%
crude protein are also eaten by man and livestock, and reportedly
increase the milk production of cattle. The leaves are made into leaf
meal for feeds.
The fresh flowers of Katuray are eaten as vegetable in stews and
salads in Southeast Asia, like Laos; Thailand; Java in Indonesia;
Vietnam; and the Ilocos Region in the Philippines.
In the Thai language the flowers are called dokkhae and are used
in the Thai cuisine both cooked in curries, such as kaengsom and
kaengkhae as well as raw with namphrik.
The young pods are also eaten, along with the leaves. In Sri Lanka, agatileaves, known as
Katuramurunga in Sinhala language, are sometimes added to sudhuhodhi or white curry, (a widely-
eaten, thin coconut gravy) believed locally to be a cure for canker sores. In India this plant is known
as agati (Hindi), agastya (Kannada), agise (Telugu), and both the leaves and the flowers have
culinary uses.
Medicine
All parts of Katuray are utilized for medicine in Southeastern Asia and India including
preparations derived from the roots, bark, gum, leaves, flowers, and fruit.
In a number of cultures, the root is applied as a poultice for application to inflammation and
fever. Powdered roots of Sesbania grandiflora var. coccinea are mixed in water and applied
externally as a poultice or rub to rheumatic swellings.
The bark contains a tanning agent, fiber and an extract used medicinally for headache,
diarrhea, anemia, cough and hypertension. Gum from the bark has water-proofing capabilities and
can prolong the life of fishing tackle. Fishinglines are usually rubbed with the bark. It is considered
as an astringent and is utilized for the treatment of smallpox, in the Philippines for the treatment of
ulcers in the mouth and alimentary canal, in Java, for the treatment of thrush and infantile disorders
of the stomach, and in Cambodia the pounded bark is applied to scabies.
The juice of the leaves is considered anthelmintic (expel parasitic worms (helminths) from
the body, by either stunning or killing them)and tonic and is used to treat worms, biliousness, fever,
gout, and itchiness, and leprosy. Malayans apply crushed leaves to sprains and bruises. In Ayurvedic
medicine (a system of traditional medicine native to the Indian subcontinent and a form of
alternative medicine) the leaves are utilized for the treatment of epileptic fits and clinical research
supports the anticonvulsive activity of Katuray leaves.
Reforestation and Cover Crop
Katuray has been used very effectively in Taiwan and Indonesia for reforestation of eroded
slopes and rehabilitation of depleted agricultural lands. It is used as support for pepper vines and
betel as windbreaks, light shade and live fencing; and for beautification.
It is grown as a cover crop or green manure during the summer months in Yuma. In the
process of growing cover crops Sesbania while green or soon after flowering is incorporated in the
soil for the purpose of soil improvement.
Nutritional Properties
Katuray contains arginine, cysteine, histidine, isolcucine, phenylalanine, tryptophan, valine,
threonine, alanine, aspargine, aspartic acid, oleanolic acid, galactose, Rhamnose and glucuronic
acid. The flowers are rich in nutrition as listed below:
Table 1. Nutritional values of katurayflowers
per 100 grams edible portion
Nutrients Boiled
Water (g) 91.02-94.49
Protein (g) 0.008
Fat (g) 1.22
Total Carbohydrates 0.36
Fiber (g) 6.87
Ash (g) 0.29-0.53
Calcium (mg) 0.05
Phosphorous (mg) 0.29-0.53
Iron (mg) 0.18
Crop varieties
The traditional or locally known varieties of
katuray tree identified in the Philippines were those of the
white (grandiflora) and rose pink or red (cocinea) flowers.
The flowers are similar in shape and arrangement to Pea
flowers with five petals that are differentiated into a
standard, wing, and keel petals. The standard petal is
usually upright, the wing petals spread out on either side
of the flower, and the keel is boat-shaped and in this
species is curved down and away from the flower.
Cultivation
Katuray is native to tropical Asia and is
widespread in India, Malaysia, Indonesia, and the
Philippines where it is found in tropical dry and moist
forest from sea level to 800 m.
It is commonly found in disturbed and agricultural
environments including along roadsides, on dikes between
rice paddies, and in backyard vegetable gardens. It has
been introduced and has become established in cultivation
in Southern Florida, Hawaii, Jamaica, Mauritius, Central
America, and South America. Agati is frost-sensitive and
requires annual precipitation between 4.8-22.5 dm and
annual temperatures of 24.3-26.7°C.
Katuray bears flowers during its second year of
growth. It may be pollinated by birds. Following
pollination seed development generally takes 40 days.
Propagation
Itcan be propagated by cuttings, seedlings, direct seeding, and aerial sowing.
Climate and soil requirements
The tree grows where there is good soil and hot humid temperature. It's a tropical plant and
dies in snow and cold weather. It is commonly grown throughout the lower elevation of the
Philippines.
Land preparation and planting
The land has to be cultivated before planting. Holes are dug at5m x5 m distance. For
seedlings, the holes must be at least 45 cm deep and 30 cm in diameter. For cuttings, the poles are
deeper. Irrigation water is necessary for newly planted seedlings, not for established trees.
Mulching can serve as compost and reduce water loss.
Fertilization
Organic fertilizer (Compost) and complete fertilizer (14-14-14) are applied during planting
as basal. Use complete fertilizer for continued growth and higher percentage of survival. Succeeding
fertilization should be done on the onset of the rainy season and during September and October or
before the end of the rainy season.
Irrigation
Water the trees frequently especially during the first planting season to help develop the
root system. For mature trees, water frequently especially when flowering. Irrigation can be
complemented with mulching, good vegetation, or by shallow cultivation.
Weed Management
Make a periodic weeding (ring weeding) around the plant to free from vegetation during its
first growing months and will last after 1 year. Weeding should be done during wet season and not
during dry spell as it resulted to rapid evaporation of soil moisture.
Crop Protection
Katurayis susceptible to severe pest attacks from leaf webbers, leaf feeders and stem borers.
A. Insect Pests
1. Sesbania stem borer (Azygophlepsscalaris) has caused
occasional damage in India. It is a moth in the Cossidae family
found in Pakistan, India, China, Sri Lanka, Myanmar, Thailand,
Cambodia, Bangladesh, Mauritania, Somalia, Senegal, Côte
d’Ivoire, Ghana, Nigeria, the Democratic Republic of the Congo,
Kenya, Angola, Namibia, Tanzania, and Sudan.
The larvae tunnel through the main stem of the host plant and also feed
on the roots and eat the pith region without damaging the epidermis.
2. Larvae of the seed chalcidBruchophagusmellipes infests and damages seed.
B. Diseases
1. Katuray is highly susceptible to the root-knot nematode Meloidogyne incognita a type of
roundworm, in the family Heteroderidae. It is an important plant parasite as it prefers to attack
the root of its host plant once inside, the larva establishes a feeding site,
which causes a nutrient-robbing gall. If root-knot nematodes become
established in deep-rooted, perennial crops, control is difficult and options
are limited. Root-knot nematode damage results in poor growth, a decline
in quality and yield of the crop and reduced resistance to other stresses
(e.g. drought, other diseases). A high level of damage can lead to t otal crop
loss. Nematode-damaged roots do not use water and fertilizers as
effectively, leading to additional losses for the grower.
Root-knot nematodes (Meloidogyne spp.) can be controlled with a biocontrol
agent Paecilomyceslilacinus, Pasteuriapentrans.
2. It is also susceptible to grey leaf spot caused
byPseudocercosporasesbaniae. It attacks the leaves; the first
symptoms are yellow spots on the upper surface. The under surfaces
have a whitish bloom, which becomes grey and finally black as the
leaves mature.
3. Sesbaniamosaic virus is reported in India and is spread from
infected growing trees.
Young plants are very susceptible to nematodes, the plants tend
to wilt. Seeds (on the trees or in storage) are readily infested by weevils through feeding in the
seeds.
For the control use selective insecticides with proper dosage and recommendation as well as
good sanitation of the area.
Harvesting
Harvesting is usually done manually or with the use of special pole to hook the flowers
when trees are tall. Individual flowers, flower buds and young pods, or the whole bunch of
inflorescencemay be picked at one time. Pods should be harvested immediately when mature.
Establishment of a One-hectare Katuray Production
1. Equipment and Tools
Quantity Item Unit price/(P) Cost
2 unit Knapsack sprayer 2,500.00 5,000.00
3 units Hoe 300.00 900.00
2 unit Grass cutter 15,000.00 30,000.00
6 units Bolo 200.00 1,200.00
4units Spade 500.00 2000.00
1 unit Weighing scale 1,200.00 1,200.00
Sub-total 40,300.00
2. Supplies and Materials
Quantity Item Unit Cost
price/(P)
3500 pcs katuray cuttings 10.00 35,000.00
1 roll Plastic twine 120.00 120.00
2pcs Meter stick 50.00 100.00
5 tons Organic fertilizer 1,200.00 1,200.00
5 bags 14-14-14 (complete 1000.00 5000.00
fertilizer)
5 bags 46-0-0 ( Urea) 1000.00 5000.00
1 liter Insecticide 1,200.00 1,200.00
1 kg Fungicide 1,500.00 1,500.00
100 liters Fuel 50.00 5,000.00
Sub-total 54,120.00
3. Labor
Activity Man-Day (MD) Unit ost/(P) Cost(P)
Plowing 8 MMD 500.00 4,000.00
Harrowing 2x 8MMD 500.00 4,000.00
Manure Application 2MD 250.00 500.00
Planting 5MD 250.00 1,250.00
Pesticide and Fertilizer application
Basal 2MD 250.00 500.00
Side-Dress 5MD 250.00 1,250.00
Spraying 10MD 250.00 2,500.00
Weeding 10MD 250.00 2,500.00
Irrigation/Watering 20MD 250.00 5,000.00
Harvesting 50MD 250.00 12,000.00
Miscellaneous 40MD 250.00 10,000.00
Sub-total 43,500.00
Labor cost at Php 250.00/MD and 500 man machine per day
Summary of Cost of Establishment for a hectare of Katuray
Particulars Amount
Equipment and Tools 40,300.00
Supplies and materials 54,120.00
Labor 43,500.00
Total 139,920.00
Estimated Yield for a hectare of Katuray
Harvest Harvestable Gross Income Production cost Net income ROI
flowers (kg) (PhP)
1st harvest 833.5 12,502.5 ↓ ↓ ↓
2nd harvest 1,667 25,005.0 ↓ ↓ ↓
3rd harvest 3,334 50,010.0 ↓ ↓ ↓
4 harvest
th 5,001 75,015.0 ↓ ↓ ↓
5th harvest 7,501.5 112,522.5 ↓ ↓ ↓
Total 18,337.00 275,055.0 139,920 135,135 96.5 %
Production of
Average
No. of marketable Gross income
Harvest harvestable
trees/hectare flower/hectare (P)
flowers/tree (kg)
(kgs)
1st harvest 0.25 3,334 833.5 12,502.5
2 harvest
nd 0.5 3,334 1,667 25,005.0
3rd harvest 1.0 3,334 3,334 50,010.0
4th harvest 1.5 3,334 5,001 75,015.0
5 harvest
th 2.25 3,334 7,501.5 112,522.5
Total 18,337.00 275,055.0
Marketable flower at 15 peso/kilo; Planting distance = 1.5mX2.0m; Number of plant /hectare = 3,334
Famous Filipino Recipes Using Katuray:
Katuray Flower Salad (Salade Fleur Katuray)
Assemble these supplies:
3 cups blanched katuray flowers
1 onion Salt to taste
3 tablespoons gluten, fried
3 tablespoons French dressing
Steps in preparation:
1. Remove the unnecessary parts of the katuray flower.
2. Pour hot water and press to remove the water.
3. Arrange on a salad plate and pour French dressing.
Garnish with onion and fried gluten strips.
Bulanglang
3 cups rice washing (water used for rinsing rice)
2 tablespoons bagoongnaisda
3 medium tomatoes, chopped
½ medium kalabasa (squash), peeled and cut into chunks
1 cup sitaw (string beans)
1 cup sigarilyas (winged beans)
6 pieces bonito ampalaya (small bitter gourd)
12 to 15 pieces bataw (hyacinth bean)
6 round eggplants
6 pieces okra
1 cup himbabao
1 cup bunga ng malunggay, peeled and cut to 1-inch lengths
10 to 12 pieces bulaklak ng katuray, pistil removed
3 to 4 pieces fried bangus (milkfish) steaks
Procedure:
1. Place the rice washing in a large pot. Add
bagoongnaisda and tomatoes; bring to a boil.
2. Put in the rest of the vegetables in the following
sequence: Add kalabasaand cook for about 5 minutes.
With about 2 to 3 minute intervals and stirring in
between, add sitaw, sigarilyas, ampalaya, bataw, egg-
plants, okra, himbabao, bunga ng malunggay, and
bulaklak ng katuray.
3. Add fried bangus on top of the vegetables. Cover and simmer for 2 minutes.
Serves 4 to 5
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cooking Time 18 to 20 minutes
ADOBONG KATUDAY/KATURAY
Ingredients:
1/4 kg. katuday (boiled for 1-2 minutes)
3-4 tbsp. soy sauce
2 tbsp. vinegar/sukangiloko
1/2 tsp. crushed black pepper
1 medium sized onion – sliced finely
3 cloves garlic – crushed and minced
2 tbsp. canola/vegetable oil for sauteing
pinch of magic sarap
Procedure:
1) Saute garlic until golden brown, followed by the onion.
2) Add the boiled katuday and saute for about 30 seconds.
3) Add the soy sauce, vinegar, pepper and a pinch of magic sarap and mix until thoroughly
blended.
4) Simmer for 2 minutes and ready to serve.
References
DA-NAFC Sub-Committee on Fruits and Vegetables. Booklet on Indigenous Vegetables. 52p
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sesbania_grandiflora#Description
http://nhymbe.net/blog/katuray-flower-recipe/
http://www.mytaste.com/s/katuray-salad.html
http://www.yummy.ph/recipe/bulanglang
http://cals.arizona.edu/fps/sites/cals.arizona.edu.fps/files/cotw/Sesbenia.pdf
