National Repository of Phytophthora
The National Repository of Phytophthora under The Division of Crop Protection, ICAR-IISR, Kozhikode maintains a diverse collection of Phytophthora species with the objective to undertake basic and advanced research and sharing authentic Phytophthora species for various research programmes. The institute uses the collection to analyze the diversity, population structure, genetic variation, and pathogenicity of Phytophthora isolates, particularly those affecting spice crops like black pepper. The research helps in developing disease management strategies and identifying disease-resistant varieties. The repository has held hundreds of isolates collected from major black pepper-growing areas across South India, including Kerala, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, and Goa.
Repository for Beneficial Microbes
The ICAR-Indian Institute of Spices Research maintains a state-of-the-art Repository for Beneficial Microbes, housing promising microbial isolates with proven potential in spice farming. This facility focuses on developing eco-friendly microbial technologies for enhanced plant growth promotion and effective disease management. Key beneficial microflora viz., PGPR consortia for spice crops, specialized biocontrol agents for bacterial wilt in ginger and foot rot in black pepper are maintained in the repository.
