Man Power

At present Eleven scientists belonging to disciplines like Agronomy, Soil Science, Bio Chemistry, Organic Chemistry, Agricultural Engineering and Plant physiology are working in this Division

1. Climate analysis and Phenology

• Crop-weather relationships of black pepper and turmeric were quantified and weather based models for yield prediction has been developed.
• Phenology of ginger and turmeric has been worked out.
• Leaf area estimation model for black pepperand ginger has been developed.
• Mapped efficient spice producing zones. Climate analogue sites were identified for spices.
• Rainfall trend analysis at IISR Stations and major spice producing zones were done.

2. Planting material Production

• Efficient black pepper propagation techniques have been standardized.
• Annually 1.0 lakh black pepper rooted cuttings, 2.0tonnes of ginger and 4.0 tonnes of turmeric seed rhizome multiplied and distributed every year.

3. Soil Nutrient Management

• The Diagnosis and Recommendation Integrated System (DRIS) was used for developing foliar diagnostic norms for black pepper. The nutritional survey carried out in 578 black pepper gardens covering major pepper growing areas of Kerala and Karnataka states indicated that 63.6 per cent of the vines were high yielders. An optimum yield ranging from 561 to 4526 g per vine can be realized provided the youngest matured leaf contains 1.65 to 2.79 per cent N, 0.11 to 0.26 per cent P, 0.18 to 2.84 per cent K, 1.42 to 3.33 per cent Ca, 0.40 to 0.60 per cent Mg, 0.09 to 0.29 per cent S, 126 to 1145 ppm Fe, 109 to 721 ppm Mn, 21 to 67 ppm Zn and 16 to 120 ppm Cu.
• The statistical relationship between the various nutrients in the soil, leaf and yield of pepper was studied. The soil pH was negatively correlated with soil Fe (r=0.27**), soil Mn (r=0.478**) and soil Al (r=0.205*). The leaf N was correlated with leaf Mo (r=0.223*) and soil Zn (r=0.272*). The leaf K was negatively correlated with leaf Al (r=0.293**) and leaf Mg (r=0.204*). There was a significant positive correlation of pepper yield with leaf N(r=0.204*) leaf K (r=0.193*), leaf Mo (r= 0.312**), soil Cu (r=0.225*), soil Fe (r=0.220*) and soil Mn (r=0.290**).

Applied research

• In lateritic soils, application of 140 g N, 55g P2O5 and 270 g K2O/vine/year is optimum. Basal application of P with the onset of monsoon and N and K in two equal split during June and September are optimum. Inclusion of micronutrients like zinc, boron and molybdenum @ 5:2:1 kg ha-1 respectively in the fertilizer schedule enhanced yield and quality. Similarly sound soil management practices enhanced the productivity of spices. Basal soil application of 6 kg Zn and 1.0 kg Mo for higher yield and quality of black pepper under deficient conditions. Based on multi location studies at farmers field’s in northern districts of Kerala, foliar application of Zn (0.25%) twice, once in June and in Aug is recommended for increasing the yield.Forhigher yield and fertility buildup in black pepper gardens, Coir pith compost can be recommended @ 1.25 t ha-1 integrating with ½ the recommended fertilizer dose and Azospirillum sp. @20g vine-1for increased yield by 25% and the BC ratio to 1.79.
• Organic farming package: For black pepper 10 kg FYM + 500g Neem cake + 500 g Ash+ 2 kg vermicompost with Biofertilizers – Azospirillum and P solubilizing bacteria(20g) application for its nutrient requirement and Trichoderma (50g) and Pseudomonas (IISR 6) (50 g) per vine and spray of 1% Bordeaux mixture (BM) and neem oil (5 mL L-1) for disease and pest control has been tested and demonstrated.
• A technology package for sustaining the health and yield of virus infected (Mild & moderately affected) black pepper vines including application of FYM (10-15 kg per standard), site specific NPK application, foliar application of micronutrient @ 5g/L twice and application of black pepper PGPR consortia – twice, has been standardized.

Ginger

Basic research

• Critical range of soil Zn, leaf Zn and P/Zn ratio were standardized for major spices like ginger and turmeric for correcting the deficiency and scheduling fertilizer recommendation. The critical range of leaf P/Zn ratio was found to be 27.9 to 90 and that of soil is 1.03 to 6.21 through Mitscherlich model.
• Developed targeted yield equation as N= (Y*100*0.075) - (STV*0.88); P2O5 = (Y*100*0.014) - (STV*1.49); K2O = (Y*100*0.025) - (STV*0.23) on validation for yield targets of 25, 35 & 45 kg/bed levels could predict successfully with a positive deviation of 15.7 – 70.0% in yield at varying soil fertility levels at Coorg District of Karnataka. The economic optimum was found to be Rs. 3.75/ bed for N, Rs. 1.30/ bed for P and Rs. 0.60/bed for K.

Applied research

• INM in ginger: Application of neem cake @ 2 t ha-1 with NPK @ 75, 50, 50 kg ha-1 together with micronutrients (5 kg Zn, 2 kg B and 1 kg Mo each ha-1) enhanced oils and oleoresin in production.
• Organic package: 20 t FYM + 2 t Neem cake + 1 t Ash + 4 t vermicompost/ha, Azospirillum and P- Solubilising bacteria (20 g/bed) for nutrient supplement, GRB 35 as seed treatment has been standardized. Drench of PGPR consortia or GRB 35 or Trichoderma are helpful in keeping the disease incidence 10-15% in ginger. Application of BM (1%) spray to contain foliar diseases and neem oil (5 ml/ lit) in combination with the cultural control is recommended for shoot borer. Organic management system yielded on par with integrated systems and quality was found to be superior under organic systems.

Turmeric

Basic Research

• Developed targeted yield equations, to calculate nutrient requirement for fixed yield targets in soils with varying fertility levels. developed targeted yield equation as N= (Y*100*0.03) - (STV*0.42); P2O5 = (Y*100*0.016) - (STV*3.84); K2O = (Y*100*0.073) - (STV*0.73) and on validation nutrient requirement for 15 & 20 kg/bed yield could be predicted with minimum deviation of -5.8 to +14.8% in yield with 2-50% increased yield over recommended dose at varying soil fertility levels at Wayanad and Calicut Districts of Kerala. The economic optimum was found to be Rs. 0.65/ bed for N, Rs. 0.40/ bed for P and Rs. 0.85/bed for K.
• The response function of NPK for turmeric (var. Suvarna) was worked out as
  Yield = 2346 + 54.8 N - 0.450 N2 (R2=0.981)
  Yield = 2346 + 65.8 P - 0.5832 P2 (R2=0.981)
  Yield = 2346 + 27.4 K - 0.10 K2 (R2=0.981) and the optimum level was standardized at NPK @ 60: 50: 120 kg/ha.

Applied research

• Field experiments with four varieties of turmeric viz., Suvarna, Suguna, Sudarshana and Alleppey with four levels of NPK fertilizers and two levels of micronutrients, under rainfed conditions showed that variety Alleppey followed by Sudarshana and Suguna were superior with regard to yield of rhizome, curcumin recovery and economics and these were significantly increased due to application of NPK and micronutrients. NPK @ 60, 50, 120 kg ha-1 with micronutrient was optimum for the varieties Suvarna, Suguna and Alleppey, whereas for Sudarshana 50, 40, 100 kg ha-1 with micronutrients was optimum.
• Organic package: 20 t FYM + 2 t Neem cake + 1 t Ash + 4 t vermicompost/ha, Azospirillum and P- Solubilising bacteria (20 g/bed) for nutrient supplement, GRB 35 as seed treatment has been standardized. Drench of PGPR consortia or GRB 35 or Trichoderma are helpful in keeping the disease incidence < 5 %. Application of BM (1%) spray to contain foliar diseases and neem oil (5 ml/ lit) in combination with the cultural control is recommended for shoot borer. Organic management system yielded on par with integrated systems and quality was found to be superior under organic systems.

Cardamom

Basic Research

• Characterized the soil fertility of cardamom growing tracts of South India and delineated 74, 54, 50, 46, 43, 41 and 38% leaf samples as low in Zn, K, P, Ca, Mg, Cu and Mo, respectively with the yield limiting nutrients in the order of Zn> K > P > Ca > Mg > Cu > Mo > Fe >Mn>N.Soil available P, K, Cu and leaf Cu were significantly positively correlated with cardamom yield.
• Standardized the foliar DRIS norms for cardamombased on tissue analysis and yield data. For optimizing yield between 131 to 625 kg (dry) capsules/ha the index leaves (fifth pair from the terminal) should have nutrient concentration of 1.26 to 2.81% N, 0.10 to 0.20% P, 1.1 to 3.4% K, 0.51 to 1.38% Ca, 0.18 to 0.31% Mg, 135to 370 ppm Fe, 261 to 480 ppm Mn, 20 to 45ppm Zn, 10 to 46ppm Cu and 0.28 and 0.84 ppm molybdenum.

Applied Research

• For cardamom, application of MRP @ 75 kg P2O5 ha-1 year-1 was economical. For high density planting of cardamom (2 x 1m), application of NPK @ 120:120:240 kg ha-1 and for normal spacing (2 x 2m) @ 75:75:150 were optimum. Application of neem cake (2.9 t/ha) or vermicompost (@ 15 t/ha) produced 52% increase in yield of cardamom over NPK alone.
• Organic manures for cardamom: In cardamom, neem cake was found to be the best organic nutrient supplement on par with vermicompost, recording highest yield of 1.13 kg dry capsules/clump with highest B/C ratio of 19.6. Quality parameters were high in FYM and vermicompost applications.

Tree Spices

For Tree spices like Clove, Nutmeg and Cinnamon application of P as MRP @ 250 g P2O5 tree-1 year-1 with 25 kg of FYM besides application of N and K @ 300 and 1000 g P2O5 tree-1 year-1 was optimum for sustained productivity.

Medium for Nursery Mixtures

• Coir pith compost (Terra care) can be successfully substituted for soil or sand in conventional nursery mixture (Soil: sand: FYM 1:1:1 ratio) and fortifying the soil: coir compost mixture in 80:20 ratio (w/w) with small quantity of diammonium phosphate can also replace sand /FYM in nursery mixture in spices (black pepper) nursery.
• Soil: sand: coir dust: vermicompost (1:1:1:1) that supports seed germination and seedling growth as better medium for nutmeg in nursery.
• Developed integrated nutrient management for paprika alike chillies under polyhouse conditions with application of 75% N (8 g plant-1) + Azospirillum spp. (5 g plant-1) + 75% P (1.7 g plant-1) + Phosphobacteria (5 g plant-1) + 100% K (2.5 g plant-1) for improved the growth, yield and quality parameters.
• Worked out the C budgeting, C footprint and sustainability of the agricultural production system in India and sustainability index of the system. An increase of 1 Tg/ yr of C input has resulted in a corresponding increase in C output of 20.6 Tg/yrand C output – input ratio and sustainability index decreased during 2000-2009 as compared to pre green revolution period

4. Physiology of spices

Crop specific micronutrient for spices

Based on the response to micronutrients and its critical limits, micronutrient mixtures for major spice crops like ginger, turmeric, black pepper and cardamom were developed. Specific mixtures for varying soil pH conditions were developed as IISR Power Mix G (soil pH < 7) &G+ (soil pH > 7) for ginger and IISR Power Mix T (soil pH < 7) &T+ (soil pH > 7) for turmeric. For black pepper and cardamom it was developed as IISR Power mix BP and IISR Power mix C, respectively.

Developed software – SOIL LAB – for soil test based fertility classification and fertilizer recommendation to major spices crops.

PGPR consortium for growth promotion in black pepper and in ginger

Encapsulation technology for smart delivery of agriculturally important microorganisms (Biocapsules)

The first of its kind in the biofertilizer industry, where the microorganism of interest is encapsulated and delivered to crops. This encapsulation technique can be used to deliver all kinds agriculturally important microorganisms.

Division of Crop Production and Post Harvest Technology focus on the development of suitable spice based cropping/farming systems, GIS and crop modeling based on microclimatic factors, production of quality planting material, organic farming, efficacy of biofertilizers, Integrated Plant Nutrient Management, identification of drought tolerant varieties, evaluation for high quality lines, basic studies on the biosynthesis of secondary metabolites, characterization of bioactive principles in spices and post harvest processing techniques in spices.

Facilities

• Agro-met observatory at Experimental Farm, Peruvannamuzhi
• Automatic weather station at Main Campus, Kozhikode
• Five Hi-tech nursery sheds
• ArcGIS software
• Plant Growth chamber
• Concentrated Solar Thermal Curing unit for turmeric curing (Capacity 50 kg/batch)
• Agro Processing Centre for Spices at ICAR-IISR, Regional Station, Appangala, Karnataka
• Spice Processing Facility at ICAR-IISR, Experimental Farm, Peruvannamuzhi
• Mechanical unit for production of white pepper from green pepper

Instruments

• Portable photosynthesis system
• Chlorophyll fluorescence system
• AAS
• HPLC
• GC-MS
• GC
• Fiber analyzer
• UV-VIS Spectrophotometer

Spice Processing Facilities

Spices are high value export-oriented crops extensively used for flavoring food and beverages, medicines, cosmetics, perfumery etc. Spices are known for their intrinsic quality which has several commercial applications. The farm level processing operations are of utmost importance for value addition and food safety. Secondary agriculture is the buzz word today and product diversification is a key requirement for success.
Realizing the importance of processing and value addition in spices, Indian Institute of Spices Research, a premier research institute under Indian Council of Agricultural Research has identified this as a priority area and built over a period of years several facilities for quality testing and processing. During 2018, the institute has established an Advanced Facility for Post-Harvest Technology on Spices for giving more thrust to research on processing, food- safety and value addition in spices. It was also envisaged to encourage entrepreneurship in this sector by extending incubation facility to young entrepreneurs and startups. The major objectives of this facility are:

• To conduct research on value addition and product diversification in spices
• To carry out research for providing food-safe spices for consumption that meet international standards.
• To intensify research on medicinal and nutritional properties of spices for promoting their use in health and wellness sectors
• To serve as a central hub for quality analysis of spices
• To promote entrepreneurship for process and product development in spices

Spice processing facility at ICAR-IISR, Chelavoor, Kozhikode

'Spice Processing Facility for value addition of ginger and nutmeg' was sanctioned by Govt. of Kerala to ICAR-IISR during 2017-18 with a funding outlay of 99.00 lakhs. The objective of this facility is to hand hold spice farmers for development of value-added products from ginger and nutmeg and to promote Agri entrepreneurship in spice processing through capacity building and trainings. The facility is housed with equipments wherein spices like ginger, nutmeg rind and other similar spices can be processed at a pilot scale to value added products like jams, squashes, candy, dehydrated spice products, powders and other bakery items by adding spices.

The equipment's installed in the processing unit includes:

• Washer cum peeler
• Mechanical slicer
• Fruit mill
• Colloidal mill
• Pulper cum washer
• Screw press
• Open kettle and a boiling vessel
• Pickle blender
• Baking oven
• Band sealer
• Multipurpose cabinet dryer
• Spray dryer
• Vacuum dryer
• Infrared dryer
• Essential oil Extraction unit

Spice Processing Facility, ICAR-IISR, Peruvannamuzhi

Spice Processing Facility was setup during 2013-14 with the funding obtained from ICAR-NAIP and with the objectives of encouraging research and entrepreneurship development in spice processing for product and process development. This facility was established to attract entrepreneurs in spice sector by developing integrated processing capabilities, hand holding entrepreneurs, providing training and technical guidance on post-harvest operations and quality maintenance of major spices. The processing facility is equipped with state of the art facility for primary as well as secondary processing of spices. The facility has three units, each for cleaning and grading black pepper, curry powder production and white pepper production. The facility has also obtained the “Manufacturing license” from FSSAI (Food Safety and Standards Authority of India) for commercial production of cleaned and graded black pepper, white pepper and spice powders.

The equipment's housed in the Spice Processing Facility includes:

• Black pepper cleaning cum grading facility
  • Black pepper cleaner with aspirator, destoner and grader
  • Spiral Separator
  • Metal detector
  • Grader
• White pepper production unit
  • Grader for green pepper
  • Mechanical washer
  • Fermentation tank
  • Pulper cum washer
• Curry powder production unit
  • Solar tunnel drier
  • Rotary drier
  • Drum roaster
  • Plate crusher
  • Micro pulveriser
  • Ribbon blender
  • Vibratory sifter
  • Automatic filling machine
  • Continuous band sealer

Services offered

1. Processing of spices (cleaning, grading, powdering)
2. White pepper production
3. Curry powder production
4. Incubation for startups
5. New product development
6. Process optimisation