Spices and Condiments (1+1)

Research attainments

 
• A considerable increase in productivity has been reported in research stations especially in pepper, ginger, turmeric and coriander. The critical need is effective transfer of technology. Attempts are being made to identify main production constraints and work out appropriate and economic strategies.
Table : Potential for productivity increase at the national level (kg/ha)

Crop	National	Progressive farmer	Research station	Foreign
Pepper	315	2000	2445	2925 (Malaysia)
Cardamom 154		1625	450	250 (Guatemala)
Ginger	3477	5500	8250
Turmeric	3912	6200	10700
Coriander	591		1900	515 (Morocco)
Cumin	578		2000

(Source: Directorate of Economics and Statistics, New Delhi and FAO STAT)
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• An exclusive nucleus seed multiplication programme to supply quality planting materials to farmers is under implementation. Research results are available on the rapid multiplication through tissue culture of black pepper, cardamom, clove, nutmeg, cinnamon, ginger and turmeric.

Biotechnology research has great potential in spices Potential applications of plant biotechnology in spices

Micro-propagation and rapid clonal multiplication of high yielding, elite genotypes to generate adequate good quality and disease-free planting materials. E.g. cardamom, vanilla, black pepper.

Exploiting somaclonal variation and utilisation of techniques like somatic cell hybridization, anther culture, embryo rescue, etc., for crop improvement. E.g. bold rhizome types in ginger.

In vitro selection for resistance to biotic and abiotic stresses. E.g. soft-rot resistant lines in ginger.

In vitro selection for resistance to biotic and abiotic stresses. E.g. soft-rot resistant lines in ginger.

In vitro conservation and safe exchange of germplasm.

Production of flavour and volatile constituents in culture.

Synseed technology available for many spices.

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Spices	Constrains	Research attainment
Black pepper	Phytophthora foot rot	Management of the disease through package of practices is standardised. Tolerant lines to the disease are developed (P24), biocontrol is being recommended
	Stunt disease	No effective control measures except uprooting of diseased plants. Causative organism is virus/mycoplasma, insect, micronutrient deficiency
	Slow decline	Effective management method(s) are available except on source of resistance to Radopholus similes nematode.
	Low productivity	High Production Technology (HPT) is demonstrated
Small cardamom	Katte disease, Vein clearing (Kokke Kandu) virus diseases	Virus etiology is established. 'Katte' escapes are identified. *Katte'-tolerant lines are multiplied
	Low productivity	Removal of diseased plants is advocated. No effective management measures are available. The spread has been checked by social action.
Ginger Turmeric	Rhizome rot	High Production Technology (HPT) is demonstrated. Pythium sp. involved, soil solarisation
	Bacterial wilt	Causitive organisms are identified. Solarisation of soil prior to planting is effective. Biocontrol is being tried out.
	Nematode infestation	Ralstonia solancearum is the causal organism. No resistant variety is available. Meloidogyne sp. and Pratylenchus sp. identified.
	Low curcumin	High curcumin lines have been identified.
	Low productivity	Integrated plant nutrient management (IPNM) has been developed.

Table : Main production constraints in spices

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