Indian Spices

The major research divisions of the institute are:

	Crop Improvement & Biotechnology
	Crop Management (Agronomy)
	Disease Management (Pathology)
	Entomology
	Post Harvest Technology
	Transfer of Technology

Crop Improvement & Biotechnology

This division is engaged in evolving high yielding and disease resistant varieties and involved in maintenance of a germ plasm bank, Preliminary Evaluation Trials (PET), Comparative Yield Evaluation Trials (CYT) and Multi Locational Trials (MLT).

A Tissue Culture Laboratory was set up in 1995 for development of micro propagation techniques for spices like cardamom, vanilla, ginger, turmeric, clove, nutmeg, garcinia, tamarind and curry leaf. Anther culture, somatic embryogenesis, development of synthetic seeds, proto plast culture are the advanced micro propagation methods used by this lab.

The institute has also undertaken sponsored projects from Department of Biotechnology, Govt. of India, Ministry of Science & Technology, Govt. of India and ICAR.

Achievements

	The present germplasm holding is 698 accessions of which 250 have been evaluated for various quantitative and qualitative characters.
	Released four high yielding cardamom selections viz., ICRI-l, & ICRI-2, (for Kerala Zone), ICRI-3 (for Kamataka Zone) and ICRI-4 (for Tamilnadu Zone). These have high yield potential of 650 to 800 kglha under moderate levels of management.
	Three hybrids viz., MHC-IO, MHC-13 and MHC-18 yielding over one ton per ha are in the pipe line to release.
	9 promising clones suited to various zones of the cardamom tract which are III pipeline for release.
	Studied the breeding behaviour, pollen biology and pathology of cardamom and vanilla.
	Prepared a floristic calendar of the cardamom tract. The bee flora comprises of 37 species to serve the pollen and nectar source to honey bees and out of which 19 are trees.
	Evaluation of turmeric varieties viz., PCT-8, PCT-B, PCT-14, BSR-1 and Co-1 revealed that Co-1 and BSR-1 are most suited to the high ranges of Kerala.

Future Focus

»	Evaluation has to be continued besides adding to the gene pool.
»	Apart from the few promising hybrids currently under field testing in farmers plot, new hybrids have to be evaluated at differentstages.
»	Somaclonal variants have to be screened for disease tolerance. Research programmes are to be strengthened for developing more
»	varieties suited to various agro climatic zones and having tolerance to biotic and abiotic stresses.

Crop Management (Agronomy)

The major activities of this division are:

»	Evolving Nutritional Management standards for cardamom and vanilla
»	Evaluation of soil fertility and productivity in cardamom
»	Standardization of agro-techniques for cardamom
»	Conduct of soil and water management studies
»	Studies on flowering behaviour of vanilla
»	Evaluation of different methods of coiling on the performance of vanilla production, and
»	Evaluation of garlic varieties with bigger cloves

Achievements

	Package of practices for various agro techniques such as nursery preparation, planting methods, nutrient management and judicious irrigation schedules were developed and transferred to the planters.
	An economic schedule of soil cum foliar application of fertilizers for cardamom has been formulated which results in 33% saving in fertilizer costs as compared to soil application.
	Developed remedial measure for zinc and Boron defficiency.
	The institute has analyzed about more than 1,00,000 cardamom soil samples received from planters of Kerala, Tamilnadu and Kamataka and most judicious and balanced recommendations were given.

Future Focus

»	Standardization of approaches to reduce input costs to achieve maximum returns.
»	Development of integrated nutrient and water management for sustainable cardamom cultivation using bio- fertilizers and organic inputs.
»	Refinement of nutrient diagnostic criteria through adoption of modern diagnostic techniques like DRU norms to ensure optimum nutrient management.
»	Production of spices such as cardamom, black pepper vanilla etc through organic farming.

Disease Management (Pathology)

Occurrence, spread and damage due to various diseases affecting cardamom and vanilla is being studied in detail and suitable strategies developed to manage them. Integrated Disease Management through plant sanitation, soil amendment, fungicidal control, bio-control with trichoderma sp./Metarrihizium are developed for the control of fungal diseases. A surveillance is also maintained to identify the emergence of new diseases. In the case of large cardamom, techniques for managing ‘Chirkey’, ‘Foorkey’ and ‘Agutta’ diseases were developed and demonstrated to the farmers. The diseases under investigation and control in vanilla are ‘shoot tip rot’, ‘basal wilt’ and ‘leaf and bean rot’.

Achievements

	The causal organisms of azhukal, rhizome rots and nursery rots were identified, and characterised.
	For controlling these diseases, an integrated disease management strategy has been developed involving cultural practices plant sanitation and fungicides and bio agents.
	Large scale screening for Phytophthora tolerance has been carried out in germ plasm accessions and identified a few tolerant lines.
	The biocontrol agent Trichoderma sp. was found effective to control Azhukal. Rhizome and Seedling rot diseases and it is recommended to the growers.
	V.A. Mycorrhizae has been found effective in improving growth and vigour in cardamom seedlings and also to offer protection from soil borne pathogens.
	A technique has been developed for mass multiplication of V AM in sorghum roots.
	A number of new diseases such as panicle blight, root rot and leaf yellowing, stem lodging measures for these, etc. were reported and developed control
	Pilot trials showed that viral disease in plants can be detected through ELISA for the quick diagnosis.
	Diseases of vanilla and herbal spices were. Pathogens were identified and control methods were developed.
	A new viral disease of vanilla was also found to occur in certain vanilla garden in Kerala.

Future Focus

»	Exploitation of disease tolerance observed in the screened improved lines.
»	Large scale use of fungal and bacterial Bio-agents in a consortium to achieve better disease management.
»	Studies on the use of Plant growth promoting Rhizobacteria in Improving plant growth and offering protection from diseases.
»	Develop techniques for Quick diagonosis of viral diseases.

Entomology

The life cycle of 55 insects and 3 non-insects which are identified as pests of cardamom and their response to various chemicals, plant products and bio-agents have been studied for formulating effective and economic control measures. This could successfully reduce the pesticide applications in cardamom fields from 14 rounds to 7 rounds for pest management. Bio- agents and botanicals like neem oil, yellow stick traps, antagonistic fungi and enemy pests were also developed as part of the integrated pest management. This is widely used not only in small cardamom but also in large cardamom and vanilla.

Achievements

	About forty chemical insecticides formulations were evaluated on major pests of cardamom and recommendation of effective insecticides at the minimum concentration was made to planters.
	The number of insecticide applications have been brought down to 5-7 per year from 12-14 sprays/year for the control of major and minor foliar pests which in turn reduced the quantity of pesticides and the application cost.
	Pruning of dried cardamom leaves (cultural control) during February, and application of five sprays of insecticides/year on the lower one third portion of cardamom plants have been effective and economical for thrips control. The technology has been demonstrated in planter's field.
	Pesticide spray schedule for Kerala, Karnataka and Tamil Nadu cardamom plantations was formulated which effectively manages the major and minor foliar pests.
	An IPM consisting of mechanical control of beetles and chemical control of grubs have been worked out for cardamom root grub management and has been demonstrated in planters field.
	Certain plant extracts have been found to have growth regulating and insecticide property on cardamom shoot borer and hairy caterpillar.
	Neem based insecticides were found to be effective on ginger borer.
	Based on MRL (Maximum Residue Limit) value specified for related spice crops, a waiting period of seven days after spray with insecticides endosulfan was suggested.
	An effective management strategy for whitefly was also evolved (with behavioural control - trapping adult fly with yellow sticky trap and also spary of neem oil suspension at 0.5% on the lower surface of leaves for control of nymphs) and being recommended.

Future Focus

The main objective of this division is to develop eco friendly method of insect pest management which plays further to reduce the chemical input in cardamom eco system.

Biological control
Agents recorded on cardamom insect pests, micro-organisms such as entomogenous fungi and nematodes have shown encouraging trend in the control of pests such as root grub, nematode and whitefly. These three pests cause considerable crop loss and warrants huge inputs of chemical insecticides.Suitable formulation of the pathogenic micro organisms as well as developing field application methodology may be developed to combat these pests.

Pheromone control
Cardamom shoot borer is an evasive pests which needs frequent use of pesticides, but with monitoring of adult moth emergence and spraying, the insecticide input may be reduced. Pheromones help not only in monitoring but also to control the pest. Preliminary studies on shoot borer pheromone indicated its potency, by intensifying the work on pheromone, the pest may be controlled effectively.

Plant extracts as attractants and pesticides

Mechanical control. of root grub beetle in controlling pest population but is laborious. The beetles are attracted to shade tree leaves, particularly to leaves of Jack, Artocarpus sp. Thus developing a suitable technique for extraction of active principle which attracts the beetles may totally eliminate the use of insecticides.

Exploitation of cultivar tolerance to pests

Preliminary studies on cultivar tolerance showed minimum damage to certain cultivatrs. Intensive studies on such cultivars may yield encouraging results.

Evaluation of new insecticides
The insect pest may develop resistance to the insecticides when used continuously. New formulations of which are cleared by the Central Insecticides Board, may be taken up to suggest for alternative, cheaper, environmentally less hazardous insecticides for management of pests.

The insect pest may develop resistance to the insecticides when used continuously. New formulations of which are cleared by the Central Insecticides Board, may be taken up to suggest for alternative, cheaper, environmentally less hazardous insecticides for management of pests.

Post Harvest Technology

Post Harvest Technology mainly deals with pre and post harvest studies on cardamom, pepper, vanilla, ginger, turmeric and culinary herbs with the objectives to improve the quality of spices.
The main project ofthe 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.

Cardamom curing
Methods using alternative fuel sources using LP gas are being standardised.

Vanilla curing
Processing of vanilla and further refinement of this technique is being carried out.

Achievements

	It was found that the alkali treated cardamom capsule retained the natural green colour upto 6 months under proper storage conditions.
	A cost effective technology (retting method) for good quality white pepper production has been standardised.
	Fenugreek paper paste applied on bamboo mat was found most efficient and clean for drying pepper.
	The oil content in pepper was found to be the highest when harvested in green mature stage.
	Vanilla curing has been perfected.
	Good quality bleached dry ginger can be produced by overnight soaking of fully peeled ginger rhizome in 2% line solution.

Future Focus

»	Studies to reduce the cost and time of cardamom curing retaining the colour and quality of the capsule.
»	Alternative fuel like LPG and other driers should be evaluated for its efficiency
»	Better methods of storage of spices are to be developed.

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 undertake vermiculturing for the production of vermm 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.

Achievements

	170 short term training programmes were conducted to transfer the new technologies.
	Participated in 125 seminars along the length and breadth of the cardamom tract.
	'Spice Clinics' were organized at different locations in Kerala and TamilNadu.
	Participated in 20 exhibitions/melas by opening a stall to highlight the various achievements made in spice research.
	The following Booklets were brought out. Tips on vanilla cultivation, Books on 'Cardamom production technology' - A guide to planters, 'Micropropagation of cardamom' - A Practical manual for handling cardamom tissue culture, & Herbal spices - cultivation and usage.
	Need based advisory field visits to different estates are made to render farm advisory services.
	Scientist also participated in All India Radio programmes and also deliver lectures.
	Video films on varieties, tissue culture, agrotechniques, integrated pest and disease management in cardamom and another films on vanilla cultivation and vermiculture were brought out.

Production of Vanilla Planting Material

The Tissue Culture Lab is engaged in production of vanilla planting material and has a capacity to produce 4.00 lakh plantlets per annum. Under this programme, selected personnel from the Kudumbashree project of the Government of Kerala were given short term and long term (one year) training on tissue culture production technique. The plantlets produced are hardened in nurseries operated by various Kudumbashree units before distribution to farmers.

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.

Achievements

A model was evolved for yield forecast in cardamom and vanilla.

The factors affecting the seasonal prices of cardamom has been studied.

Various experiments have been designed and the data obtained were analyased The various Softwares developed are:

»	CRD, RBD and Factorial designs
»	Path analysis
»	Multiple correlation
»	Multiple regression
»	Time series analysis
»	Farm labour wages
»	Technical documentations
»	Monitoring research programmes
»	Library informations