Pathways of Scientific Excellence

Collection and conservation of genetic resources of spices is a major mandate of ICAR-AICRPS. As India is a hotspot of genetic diversity of spices, extensive surveys were conducted in various spice-growing belts of the country.

• Black Pepper: 825 accessions conserved
• Turmeric: 1,569 accessions | Coriander: 1,690
• Fenugreek: 1,398 | Fennel: 847 | Cumin: 653
• Ginger: 633 | Cardamom: 309 | Large Cardamom: 313
• DNA fingerprinting data updated for 12 spice crops
• Surveys in 14+ agro-climatic regions of India

ICAR-AICRPS has evolved 194+ spice varieties that have markedly impacted spice production in India. The first hybrid variety of black pepper, Panniyur 1, developed and popularized through the Panniyur center remains the dominant cultivar worldwide.

• Panniyur 1 — world's dominant black pepper cultivar
• IISR Pragati — drought-tolerant short-duration turmeric
• NDH 98 — saline-tolerant stable turmeric across India
• IISR Mahima — nematode-tolerant ginger variety
• GC4 — wilt-tolerant cumin variety
• Koraput Ada & IISR Navya — new ginger varieties (2025)

ICAR-AICRPS has developed 196 crop-wise technologies for varietal improvement, nutrient availability, and plant health management. These technologies are popularized through demonstrations and adopted by state agricultural departments.

• Single-node protray multiplication — uses only 1/4th seed
• Micro-irrigation for pepper, cardamom, turmeric, coriander, fennel & fenugreek
• PGPR seed coating (FK 14 & FL 18) — 10–30% yield increase
• Organic production, GAP and SAP packages developed
• Seed spice fertigation & drip irrigation recommendations
• Inter-cropping of field and tuber crops with ginger

Eco-friendly and sustainable approaches to manage major diseases and pests of spice crops developed and popularized, minimizing pesticide residues and ensuring food-safe spice production.

• Phytophthora foot rot management via grafting on P. colubrinum rootstock
• Biofumigation (mustard & cabbage residues) for ginger rhizome rot
• NSKE for controlling powdery mildew of coriander
• Chemical control of pollu beetle in black pepper (2025)
• Biocontrol of powdery mildew in fenugreek (2025)
• Eco-friendly blight disease management in cumin (2025)

AICRPS technologies have percolated to remote and inaccessible tribal lands and NE states, providing employment opportunities (especially to women) and uplifting the economic status of farmers by supplying quality planting materials and training.

• Centers in Chintapalle (AP), Pottangi (Odisha), Raigarh (CG)
• Seven centers in six NE states — Assam, Nagaland, Meghalaya, Sikkim, Arunachal Pradesh, others
• Frontline demonstrations in 24 states
• Expanded turmeric, ginger & pepper in non-traditional areas
• Spices Board collaboration — Large Cardamom guide for NE
• Training programmes with special focus on women farmers

In the aspect of 'More Crop Per Drop', ICAR-AICRPS has developed micro irrigation technology for six spice crops, dramatically improving water use efficiency and enabling cultivation in semi-arid and water-scarce regions.

• Drip irrigation systems for black pepper, cardamom, turmeric
• Micro-irrigation for coriander, fennel & fenugreek
• Foliar growth regulators for fenugreek and coriander yield (2025)
• Fertigation protocols integrated with drip systems
• Bacillus subtilis for P & Zn solubilization in ginger (2025)
• Water-saving practices integrated in GAP guides

In tune with Digital India, AICRPS employs web-based online reporting, monitoring and information dissemination systems. Documents have been digitized and made available online including DNA fingerprinting and germplasm databases.

• Web-based online data submission portal
• DNA fingerprinting database for 12 spice crops
• Variety database and germplasm records digitized
• Online monitoring across 40 centers
• Annual reports and proceedings published online
• Information dissemination system for farmers & scientists