Spices Board- IISR undertakes gene mapping of cardamom

Time of publication: 21 June 2011 at 14:30 IST
KOCHI (Commodity Online): The Spices Board is currently carrying out gene mapping of cardamom with the IISR (Indian Institute of Spices Research), said Director Research of Spices Board, J. Thomas.

“It is a DNA finger printing of cardamom accessions (genetic variants).” he explained.

The Board has a gene pool in cardamom—germplasm—probably one of the largest in the world. Under the programme, morphological yield parameters are measured and monitored. This helps the scientists to identify markers for specific parameters which would be helpful in breeding and other activities.

It is learned that Spices Board is having 900 accessions of cardamom. But there would be duplicates in these accessions. Under the study, DNA markers (signs indicative of character traits) are used to identify and remove duplicates and develop core collections. When breeding is carried out, desirable traits are crossed with minimal time being spent on developing cardamom with new characters. This would otherwise entail 10 to 15 years, i.e. if natural methods of breeding are followed.

Another project is an Integrated Nutrient Management Programme carried out in collaboration with seven institutions including Rubber Board, Coffee Board, Kerala Forest Research Centre etc. Through the project, the quantity of chemical fertilisers is targeted to be brought down by using biological agents. A new extraction procedure for neem cake has also been discovered that has brought down chemical content in pesticides by 20% when it came to the case of chilli and pepper.

Also, Spices Board is currently having collaborative research activities with RRL (Regional Research Laboratoy), DBT (Department of Bio Technology), DST (Department of Science and Technology), IIT (Indian Institute of Technology), IISc (Indian Institute of Science) and CFTRI(Central Food Technology Research Institute).

It is having a climate change study carried out in collaboration with ISRO (Indian Space Research Organisation). The activity involves measuring the impact of climate change on crops and pests with weather parameters being studied by ISRO and ground level things coordinated by Spices Board.

Thomas admitted that retaining researchers is an issue for Spices Board. Given that spices are grown in remote areas, where infrastructure facilities like schools, hospitals etc. are lacking, researchers are currently provided special packages, so that attrition reigned in.

He added that given the complexity of spices value-chain, research activities require a holistic approach.

As published in: http://www.commodityonline.com/news/Spices-BoardIISR-undertakes-gene-mapping-of-cardamom-40143-3-1.html