MAJOR PROJECTS:

AGRONOMY AND SOIL SCIENCE

Major thrust areas :
Nutritional management for cardamom
Soil fertility and cardamom productivity
Standardization of agro techniques
Soil and water management studies
Nursery management for cardamom
Agro-techniques for other spices (include vanilla, pepper, ginger, turmeric, clove, garlic, and herbal spices)

CROP IMPROVEMENT & BIOTECHNOLOGY

The main research projects undertaken by this division are :
Collection, conservation, cataloguing and evaluation of gene pool in cardamom and allied genera
Crop improvement for qualitative and quantitative characters in cardamom
Breeding for diseases, pests as well as drought tolerance
Physiological studies in cardamom
Adaptive trials on other spices

PLANT PATHOLOGY DIVISION
The main research projects of the division are :

Cardamom
 
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Studies on Azhukal (Capsule rot) , rhizome rot and nursery rot diseases in plantations and seedling rot in nurseries and develop integrated disease management strategies.
»
Foliar and minor diseases such as leaf spots, capsule spots and malformations and other root rots, yellowing diseases etc
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Biocontrol of diseases using antagonistic microbes including fungi and bacteria

Black Pepper
 
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Diseases of black pepper such as foot rot, slow decline, pollu disease and their integrated management.

Vanilla
 
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Surveillance on diseases of vanilla, studies on causal organisms etc.
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Management of fungal diseases of vanilla through fungicides, bio agents etc
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Studies on viral diseases of vanilla and their management

ENTOMOLOGY DIVISION

Major research projects of the division are :
Bioecology and management of cardamom pests
Biology and binomics of cardamom shoot and capsule borer
Studies on root grubs / white grubs on cardamom with special reference to its distribution, binomics and integrated management
Studies on minor pests in cardamom
Behavioural and physiological approach in pest management
Studies on pest surveillance and forecasting
Biological control of cardamom pest
Studies on insecticides residue in cardamom capsule

POST HARVEST TECHNOLOGY

The main project of the division are :
Evaluation of alternative fuel for cardamom curing
Influence of stage of harvest of on the yield of oils and deoresins in black pepper
Studies on storage of black pepper
Effect of different methods of curing turmeric on curcumin content

TRANSFER OF TECHNOLOGY

This division aims at bridging the gap between the scientists and planters by transferring the achievements in the institute for application in the planters field. This is mainly achieved through training programmes, conducting seminars, group discussions, exhibitions, organising spice clinics etc

Training programmes on production protection and post harvest technologies management of cardamom, vanilla and other important spices have been organized. Scientists of the institute serve as the resources personnel in seminars and planters meetings

Spice clinic is an open house interaction between farmers and scientist were organized to classify the doubts. Exhibition have been organized at various places to enlighten the farmers with the latest technologies developed by the research institute

Vermiculture
The division also undertakes vermiculturing for the production of vermin compost using two types of exotic earthworms viz., Eudrella euginiae and Eisenia foetida

Studies are being carried out to compare the effect of different organic manure with the yield pattern in various crops like Black Pepper, Cardamom, Vanilla, Ginger, Turmeric etc

STATISTICS AND COMPUTER DIVISION
Statistics and Computer division is mainly concerned with planning and design of experiments, analysis of experimental data and integration of results of various research programmes identified in cardamom and other spices. In addition, software support is provided to the research as well as administrative section. Development of software for monitoring research programmes and farm labour wages are undertaken

LIBRARY AND DOCUMENTATION CENTRE
ICRI has a well established library which maintains a good collection of documents on cardamom and related spices. The total collection of books is around 5000 including bound volumes of journals and abstracts. Newspapers are subscribed in three languages. The library maintains a good collection of documents of cardamom and other spices

Library has a computerized cataloguing facility providing details regarding the available books in the library and this, can be used for quick reference

The library is publishing newspaper clippings service on spices and condiments and current title service regularly