668 accessions are being maintained in the field gene bank.
A new variety, IISR Vajra a clonal selection (Acc. 247) with bold and plumpy rhizomes, less fibre (5.67%) and high yield potential (26.38 tjha) was released.
A new conservatory (Garden of Gingers) was established at ICAR-IISR, Kozhikode
A superior red ginger genotype with high essential oil (4.3%) along with high pungent principles, gingerol (1.92%) and shogaol (0.55%) has been identified.
The bacterial antagonists Bacillus safensis (IISR TB4) and B. cereus (IISRGB7 (3) showed higher suppression of soft rot pathogen, Pythium myriotylum and foliar pathogens, Colletotrichum gloeosporioides and Exserohilum rostratum.
A protocol for priming rhizomes with Trichoderma spp. was developed to regulate the germination process, prevent the growth of dry rot pathogens during storage and to provide uniform tillering of seed rhizomes.
Two isothermal assays, RT-LAMP and RT-RPA assays were developed and validated for the quick detection of GCFaV-1 and GCFaV-2.