Journal of Spices and Aromatic Crops
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Evaluation of ginger (Zingiber officinale Rosc.) varieties in high altitude and tribal zone of Srikakulam district of Andhra Pradesh
Get PDFThe yield performance and simple association between yield and its components were studied in eight varieties of ginger during kharif 2007 and 2008. The variety Suprabha was taller and recorded more number of leaves, tillers plant-1 and number of finger rhizomes plant-1. It produced significantly more fresh rhizome yield of 21.71 t ha-1 than all the other the varieties tested. Among the varieties Chintapalli local produced more number of mother rhizomes plant-1. Number of tillers plant-1, number of mother and finger rhizomes plant-1 and fresh rhizome yield showed high GCV, PCV, heritability and genetic advance as per cent mean. The simple correlation studies indicated that number of tillers plant-1, number of mother and finger rhizomes plant-1 recorded highly significant association with yield.
 
Efficacy of microbial inoculants and organic fertilizer for establishing large cardamom (Amomum subulatum Roxb.) sucker nursery
Get PDFAn experiment was conducted to evaluate the effectiveness of various microbial inoculants on large cardamom suckers. The study demonstrated the beneficial effect of microbial inoculants, viz., Azospirillum, Pseudomonas fluorescens, Trichoderma harzianum, phosphate solubilizing bacteria (PSB) and Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungi (AMF) on plant growth. Application of farm yard manure (FYM) + Azospirillum + P. fluorescens + T. harzianum + AMF recorded significantly higher number of tillers and plant height as compared to other treatments. Hence, using the above microbial inoculants may facilitate better establishment and growth for planting material in the nursey.
 
Penetration and infectivity of entomopathogenic nematodes against Lema sp. (Chrysomelidae: Coleoptera) infesting turmeric (Curcuma longa L.) and their multiplication
Get PDFPenetration and infectivity of eight native isolates of entomopathogenic nematodes (EPNs), Heterorhabditis sp. (IISR-EPN 01); Steinernema sp. (IISR-EPN 02); S. ramanai (IISR-EPN 03); S. carpocapsae (IISR-EPN 06), Oscheius gingeri (IISR-EPN 07) and Oscheius spp. (IISR-EPN 04, 05 and 08) were evaluated against larvae of leaf feeder (LF) Lema sp. infesting turmeric. Among the tested EPNs, Steinernema sp. (IISR-EPN 02) and O. gingeri (IISR-EPN 07) were more pathogenic to LF larva as they brought about 100% mortality to the insect within 48 h post exposure, followed by Heterorhabditis sp. (IISR-EPN 01) and Oscheius sp. (IISR-EPN 08) after 72 h of exposure. S. ramanai (IISR-EPN 03) and Oscheius spp. (IISR-EPN 04 and 05) took 96 and 120 h, respectively, to kill the test insect. Lema sp. larva was the most suitable host for multiplication of infective juveniles (IJs) of O. gingeri (IISR-EPN 07), which yielded 11, 480 IJs larva-1, followed by Steinernema sp. (IISREPN 02) (8, 658 IJs larva-1) and S. carpocapsae (IISR-EPN 06) (6, 810 IJs larva-1), however, Heterorhabditis sp. (IISR-EPN 01) less multiplied. The maximum number of Steinernema sp. (IISREPN 02) IJs penetrated into test larva (17.5 IJs larva-1), followed by S. carpocapsae (IISR-EPN 06) (10.2 IJs larva-1) and the fewest (2.8 IJs larva-1) were of Oscheius sp. (IISR-EPN 08). The infectivity of the above EPNs against LF is being reported for the first time which opens up a new hope of utilizing them in insect pest management in turmeric.
 
Influence of age of rooted cutting, nitrogen and stage of harvest on growth, yield and quality of patchouli [Pogostemon cablin (Blanco) Benth.]
Get PDFField experiments were conducted to study the influence of age of rooted cuttings at the time of planting (30, 40, 50, 60, 70, 80 and 90 days), N levels (0, 50 and 100 kg ha-1) and stage of harvest (once in 4, 5 and 6 months) on yield and oil quality of patchouli [Pogostemon cablin (Blanco) Benth.] under semi-arid tropical climate. The results indicated that planting 30 day old rooted cuttings produced higher plant height, plant canopy and oil yield compared with other treatments. Similarly, application of 100 kg N ha-1 and stage of harvest after six months of planting produced maximum herbage yield, oil yield and oil content compared to other treatments. The highest net return (Rs. 59,550 ha-1) and B:C ratio (1.168) were recorded with the application of 100 kg N ha-1 and stage of harvest once in six months. Oil quality was not influenced by age of the rooted cuttings and N level.
 
Efficiency of sulphate of potash (SOP) as an alternate source of potassium for black pepper (Piper nigrum L.)
Get PDFField experiments were conducted at two locations, viz., Kannur (Kerala) and Chettalli (Kodagu, Karnataka) for evaluating the efficacy of sulphate of potash (SOP) as a source of potassium (K) on black pepper. There were nine treatment combinations viz., T1 -Control, T2 -Recommended (Rec.) K as muriate of potash (MOP), T3 -Rec. K as SOP, T4 -125% of Rec. K as SOP, T5 -T3 + SOP 2% foliar spray, T6 -50% of Rec. K as SOP + SOP 2% foliar spray, T7 -50% of Rec. K as SOP, T8 -T2 + Mg @ 25 kg ha-1 as MgSO4 and T9 - T3 + Mg @ 25 kg ha-1 as MgSO4 laid out in a randomized block design with three replications. The results showed that soil nutrient status in treatment with 25.0% higher recommended K as SOP recorded significantly higher concentrations of soil organic carbon, K, Ca, S, Zn and Cu. The study further revealed that for economic yield of high quality black pepper, 50% of recommended dose of K as SOP for soils of high K status and 100% recommended K as SOP + 2% foliar spray of SOP for soil of low K status can be recommended.
 
Size reduction characteristics of black pepper
Get PDFBlack pepper corn at three moisture contents (5.5%, 11.4% & 17.6%, d.b.) was subjected to size reduction using micro pulverizer with screen aperture size (0.5 mm, 1.0 mm & 1.5 mm) and feed rate (8, 16 & 24 kg h-1) at constant rotor speed (3000 rpm). It was found that the specific energy consumptions showed a decreasing trend (310.71–30.55 kJ kg-1) with increase of feed rate but increasing trend with moisture content and screen openings. Maximum specific energy consumption was recorded for 11.4% moisture content and 8 kg h-1 feed rate with 1.0 mm screen aperture size. The average particle size increased from 0.21 mm to 0.29 mm with increase of moisture content and screen opening. The Bond’s work index (0.086–0.312 kWh kg-1) and Kick’s constant (0.68 to 20.33 kWh kg-1) showed direct motion with moisture content feed rate and screen aperture size. Size reduction ratio and grinding effectiveness of black pepper seed decreased from 25.42 to 14.57 and 0.077 to 0.008 with the increase in moisture content, feed rate and screen aperture size. The loose and compact bulk densities varied in the range of 322.8 to 1408 kgm-3 and 346.2 to 1760 kg m-3, respectively for various mass fractions of sieve analysis. Bond’s work index and Kick’s constants were affected significantly (P<0.05) by moisture content but not feed rate for all screen aperture size.
 
Evaluation of antibacterial activity of Lavandula stoechas L. essential oil
Get PDFThe antibacterial activity of crude and essential oil extract of Lavandula (Lavandula stoechas) against the infectious bacteria viz., Escherichia coli, Bacillus subtilis, Pseudomonas spp. and Staphylococcus aureus were evaluated in vitro. It was found that L. stoechas oil exhibits high antibacterial activity against S. aureus, Pseudomonas spp, B. subtilis and E. coli when compared to crude extract. The in vitro Minimum Inhibitory Concentration (MIC) of L. stoechas oil was found to be 50 μg mL-1 for inhibiting the growth of B. subtilis and S. aureus whereas, it was found to be 25 μg mL-1 for E. coli and Pseudomonas spp. The statistical analysis for MIC of L. stoechas oil was found to be 42.82 μg mL-1 for inhibiting the growth of B. subtilis and S. aureus where it was found to be 22.25 μg m-1 for E. coli and Pseudomonas spp.
 
Mathematical modeling for thin layer sun drying of ginger (Zingiber officinale Rosc.)
Get PDFTrials on drying of ginger were conducted during the month of April, 2009 at Agricultural Engineering College and Research Institute, Coimbatore (Tamil Nadu). Ginger rhizomes were mechanically washed, partially peeled, spread in single layer on cemented yard and dried from initial moisture of 594.01% (d.b.) (dry basis) to a final moisture content value of 9.82% (d.b.). Drying of ginger was completed in eight days. Drying characteristics curves, showed no constant rate period and all the drying process occurred in the falling rate period. Thin layer modeling of drying data showed that diffusion approximation model best described the drying process. The effective moisture diffusivity for drying of ginger was calculated as 1.91 × 10-7 m2 s-1. Sun dried ginger rhizomes were evaluated for its quality and it was found that the essential oil, oleoresin, moisture and crude fibre contents were 2.0%, 4.6%, 9.82% and 2.5%, respectively
 
Inter-regional variations and future household demand and production of major spices in India
Get PDFIndia is the largest producer, consumer and exporter of spices in the world with around 52 spices under the purview of Spices Board. The present paper diagnoses the consumption and production pattern of the major spices in India both spatially and temporally and projects their demand and production in future using statistical tools. Spices basket was found to be dominated by drychilli and there exists wide regional variations in their consumption across the country. Production of spices follows the same pattern with dry-chilli occupying maximum area under cultivation. Projected figures confirmed domination of dry-chilli in future also. Region specific consumption as well as production of spices necessitates region specific production policies along with the suitable marketing strategies to increase the welfare of both producers as well as consumers.
 
Influence of zinc on yield and quality profile of ginger (Zingiber officinale Rosc.)
Get PDFField experiments were conducted for three consecutive years (2008–09. 2009–10, 2010–11) in a Zn deficient soil to study the variation in quality and oil composition of ginger due to incorporation of Zn in the fertilizer schedule. The treatments consisted of recommended package of practice (POP) without zinc, POP + 5 kg Zn ha-1, POP + 10 kg Zn ha-1 as zinc sulphate. The results showed that application of Zn increased the fresh yield of ginger from 7.72 to 9.57 kg 3m-2 indicating an increase of 23%. Zinc application also increased the oil, oleoresin, β-sesquiphellandrene, farnesene, camphene and Z-citral contents of ginger oil. Contrarily, Zn application decreased zingiberene, α-pinene, α-curcumene and 1, 8 cineol contents of ginger oil. The quality components such as fiber content varied from 3.05% to 3.43%, oil content from 1.33% to 1.73%, oleoresin from 3.35% to 5.41%, zingiberene from 13.1% to 21.8%, α- pinene from 0.67% to 2.23%, β-sesquiphellandrene from 5.92% to 10.20%, farnesene from 5.58% to 11.1%, camphene from 3.06% to 5.36%, Z-citral from 3.73% to 6.54%, α-curcumene from 5.32% to 7.70%, 1,8 cineol from 2.70% to 5.29%, β-phellandrene from 1.87% to 4.18% and citral contents from 5.03% to 6.54%.