Journal of Spices and Aromatic Crops
Not a member yet
1089 research outputs found
Sort by
Nutmeg - Origin, diversity, distribution and history: Journey of nutmeg
No full textNutmeg (Myristica fragrans Houtt.) a small holder’s crop, with 3500 years of antiquity originated in the Moluccas, Indonesia, is now grown in about 12 countries including some secondary centres of domestication. Centres of domestication overlap the centre of origin in nutmeg. Out of about 175 species in the genus, only five are economically important. Besides species diversity and cultivar diversity, ecosystem diversity is also a component of biodiversity of the genus. The genus is represented by six species including four endemic species and subspecies each in India. A comprehensive work on Indian Myristica is pertinent. The history of the spice is mired in bloody wars, piracies, privateers, clandestine collection trips, wanton felling of the heirloom trees besides inadvertent specimen identity, inaccurate chronology and a treaty of land swap. Though French and British colonial rulers took interest in popularising nutmeg in their colonies albeit for economic gains, the role of French was pivotal. The package of practices of nutmeg (Colonial Horticulture) in the new French colonies were a complex process of creolizing the expertise borrowed from the native people of the Moluccas with the horticultural knowledge of the colonists, traders, settlers, slaves and other local residents. Though nutmeg, a perennial tree of about 100 years of life span, has only about 300 years of domestication history in the country, the cultivar diversity is amazing as exemplified by the high frequency of farmer’s varieties. The nutmeg population of the country also exhibits good phenotypic plasticity as demonstrated by leaky dioecy. While the transnational spread of nutmeg is a legacy of colonial rulers, the settlers mainly Christians, are credited with the intrastate spread of nutmeg in Kerala, the major area of production in India. History of nutmeg is still in an emerging phase and there are gaps in our understanding
Response of black pepper varieties for propagation by serpentine layering: Response of black pepper varieties for propagation
No full textIn the present study response of light black pepper verities for propagation through serpentine layering was studied. Verities showed significant variations with respect to growth attributing parameters, survivability and numbers of layers per year. Maximum survivability (93.00 % and 88.33 %) at 30 and 90 days after cutting was found in Panniyur-1. Maximum planting material production per year was achieved in Panniyur-1 (51.17) which was higher than the rest of the varieties but was statistically at par with Panniyur-2 (50.50) and Pournami (50.17). These three varieties may be considered for higher production of planting materials through serpentine layering method
Spices for taming the COVID-19 pandemic: Prospects and perspectives: Spices for taming COVID-19 pandemic - A review
No full textCoronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19), first reported in December 2019 from Wuhan in China, had reached the stage of a pandemic. To date (28.06.2021), there are more than 181.9 million confirmed cases of the disease in the world. Even though vaccines have been developed, antiviral drugs are yet to be developed for management and treatment of SARS-CoV-2. Since several medicinal plants are used in traditional medicines, though with controversial efficacy claims, they can be considered as sources of new antiviral drug compounds against emerging viruses. In this context, spices are noteworthy as their anti-oxidant, anti-viral, anti-inflammatory and immunostimulatory properties are well studied and documented. The emerging scientific literature includes a number of papers on the anti-SARS-CoV-2 activity of spice extracts and specific compounds proven through different types of laboratory experiments. Here, the information pertaining to anti-viral properties of spice-based phytochemicals or natural compounds (not crude extracts) is summarized in this review. Spice-based compounds discussed here are an option for testing in COVID-19 patients though we don’t have strong data to support their active recommendation. Because of their natural origin, safety, and low cost, they can be a viable option in our fight against viruses and this compilation may be useful for planning and designing more robust experiments in future
Effect of foliar application of micronutrients on ginger productivity: Foliar application of micronutrient on ginger productivity
No full textGinger (Zingiber officinale Rosc) is cultivated in different agro-climatic zones of Karnataka. Correction of deficiency of nutrients through foliar application of micronutrients is imperative to maintain the growth and development of the crop. Hence, large scale demonstrations were conducted and the impact analysis of crop specific ICAR-Indian Institute of Spices Research, Kozhikode-micronutrient formulation (released as “Ginger Special”) on productivity and profitability of ginger in Southern Transitional Zone of Karnataka was carried out during 2016- 19 by involving 429 farmers in an area of 133.20 ha. Foliar application of ginger special (5 gl-1), 45 days after planting up to six months at an interval of 45 days showed significant increase in fresh yield (23.94 t ha-1), higher returns ha-1 (Rs.9,80,300) and higher BCR (2.89). The test farmers who used ginger special obtained a mean additional fresh yield (2.44 t ha-1), additional return (Rs. 99,500 ha-1) besides providing additional employment to the farm workers (12 ha-1). Use of ginger special, created a good impact on productivity and profitability of ginger cultivation and the technology has spread in an area of 500 ha in Shivamogga district of Karnataka
Major Indian spices- An introspection on variability in quality
Full text linkIndian spices like black pepper, cardamom, ginger, turmeric and cinnamon are valued for their culinary and nutraceutical properties. The quality attributes that impart these properties are essential oil, oleoresin and the aroma/pungent principles. Variability in essential oil constituents of black pepper, relevance of bulk density, codex standards and role of phenolics in deciding quality traits possess great relevance in academic and industrial applications. Curing of turmeric and maturity at harvest play a crucial role in drying and curcumin content. Geographical location has great relevance in deciding the curcumin content of turmeric. Coumarin content of cinnamon and cassia has implications in industrial application. This article provides an introspection in to the research programmes on quality attributes of spices carried out at ICAR-Indian Institute of Spices Research for the last three decades in comparison with international scenario
Occurrence of teleomorphic phase of Colletotrichum gloeosporioides sensu lato, the incitant of black pepper anthracnose
Full text linkAnthracnose caused by Colletotrichum gloeosporioides sensu lato, the ascomycetous pathogen is a major constraint in black pepper cultivation. In the present study, surveys carried out in black pepper cultivating regions of Karnataka, India revealed the prevalence of anthracnose disease manifested as diverse array of foliar symptoms. An atypical foliar symptom was also noticed in the black pepper nurseries, characterized by grayish necrotic lesions with brown-blackish margins and randomly distributed blackish structures of pin-head size in the lesion area manifested particularly on the older leaves. The pin-head structures produced orangish exudation embedded with asci, ascospores and perithecia, when incubated under high humid conditions. Typical anthracnose symptoms were developed on susceptible host in pathogenicity studies and subsequent isolation yielded two distinct colonies designated as black and orange. The perithecia were induced artificially under in vitro conditions, which retained fertility and infectivity more than three months. Alternation of generation was observed when the perithecia were cultured on potato dextrose medium which resulted in the formation of acervuli with abundant conidiation. The results of present investigation shed light into the occurrence and potential role of perithecial (teleomorphic) phase in the survival of C. gloeosporioides s. l. infecting black pepper
Biorational strategies for the management of insect pests of spice crops
Full text linkPest control strategies based on relatively non-toxic procedures that preserve the health of the ecosystem and minimizes negative effects on beneficial organisms, and utilize microbial pathogens and their products, plant natural products, semiochemicals, biotechnological strategies and reduced-risk pesticides can be termed as ‘biorational strategies’. This review consolidates the information available on the use of biorational strategies for the management of insect pests of spice crops such as Piper nigrum (black pepper), Elettaria cardamomum (cardamom), Zingiber officinale (ginger), Curcuma longa (turmeric), Coriandrum sativum (coriander), Cuminum cyminum (cumin) and Foeniculum vulgare (fennel). The review also identifies the current gaps in knowledge and the opportunities and challenges in using biorational strategies for the production of clean spices, reflecting the global concern over pesticide misuse
Advances in adulteration and authenticity testing of turmeric (Curcuma longa L.)
Full text linkSynthetic colorants such as metanil yellow, lead chromate, Acid orange 7, Sudan red; rhizomes of related Curcuma sp. besides spent turmeric, starch, chalk and yellow soapstone are the main adulterants in traded turmeric while synthetic curcumin is an adulterant of natural curcumin. Both branded products as well as the produce from the unorganized sector are found adulterated. The adulterants, added either to increase the bulk, improve the colour and appearance or enhance the profit margin, often result in corroding the biological efficacy of the commodity and eroding the public impression besides posing health risks to the consumers. Various physical, chemical and PCR based methods are available to detect the adulterants in traded turmeric. While chemical methods are suited to detect the synthetic adulterants and spent turmeric, DNA based methods are the best options for detecting the biological adulterants (except spent turmeric) in the commodity. Along with adopting a supply chain system and quality linked pricing in turmeric trade, commercial adulteration diagnostic kits, if they can be developed and deployed, will be a very convenient way to ensure the quality of the traded produce
Association and path coefficient analysis among yield attributes and berry yield in black pepper (Piper nigrum L.)
Full text linkEighty two germplasm accessions of black pepper aggregated from pepper cultivating tracts of Karnataka, Kerala, Goa and Maharashtra were characterized for 17 quantitative traits as per the IPGRI descriptors during 2018-19 at the field gene bank of ICAR-Indian Institute of Spices Research, Experimental Farm, Kozhikode. Wide range and high coefficient of variation (CV) were recorded for dry berry weight, fresh berry weight and number of spikes vine-1 whereas, lower CV was observed for berry size. Fresh berry weight showed significant positive correlation with dry berry weight followed by number of spikes vine-1 whereas, number of immature berries spike-1 and berry size showed significant negative association with setting percentage. High positive direct effect of fresh berry weight on dry berry weight was observed during path analysis. Both fresh rachis weight and number of spike vine-1 had indirect positive effects on dry berry weight through fresh berry weight. Residual effect was meagre suggesting that the 17 quantitative traits explained 99% variability. Traits like number of spikes vine-1 and fresh berry weight are the important traits that need to be augmented during improvement of black pepper for yield
Morpho-Anatomical Characterisation of the Rhizomes of Ten Species of Curcuma L. (Zingiberaceae) from south India
Full text linkThe morphological and anatomical characterisation of ten medicinally and economically important species of Curcuma L. from South India namely, C. aeruginosa (neela-kua), C. amada (manga-inchi), C. aromatica (kasturi-manjal), C. aurantiaca, C. caesia (kari-manjal), C. haritha (karpura-kua), C. longa (manjal), C. montana, C. zanthorrhiza (manja-kua) and C. zedoaria (chenthandan-kua) were studied and compared. Eventhough, all the species show similarity in their characters, striking differences were noticed with respect to morphological characters such as shape and size of mother rhizome and lateral branches, colour of the cut surface, aroma and taste of rhizomes etc. Differences were also observed in some anatomical characters such as nature of endodermoid layer, size and shape of starch grains, oil cells and curcumin cells, etc. Based on the distinct morpho-anatomical features, an artificial dichotomous key was proposed for taxonomic delimitation of the species with their rhizome