Collection, characterization & utilization of natural diversity of important spice crops from Bay Islands and evaluation of their improved varieties (2015-2021)
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Woody pepper was identified as novel crop for commercial scale cultivation in the Andaman Islands.
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Cinnamon variety ‘Konkan Tej’ was recommended for cultivation under open conditions in the Andaman Islands.
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Developed a novel hanging structure ‘Dweep HanGreens’ for cultivation of culantro in urban areas.
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Developed a laboratory aid ‘Dweep Aqua Saver’ to assist extraction of phytochemicals from plants.
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Value addition of spices in the form of essential oil extraction was identified as a potential enterprise for Islands.
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A new technique for round the year production of planting material of Indian Bay leaf and cinnamon was developed.
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Standardized air layering technique in cinnamon under Island conditions. First week of July was found to be most suitable period for carrying out layering, while coir pith compost was ideal substrate in all the improved varieties tested.
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Native wild nutmeg species were identified as sources of phytochemicals mainly fatty acids and phenolic compounds. Fatty acid profiling using GC-MS suggested similarities in profile of cultivated nutmeg with Knema andamanica. Myristic acid was found to be dominant compound in all wild nutmeg species studied.
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Nursery technique was standardized for endemic, vulnerable Myristica andamanica. Use of non-rattling and sinking seeds followed by soaking in water for 24 h improved the germination characteristics.
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Nursery technique was standardized for wild nutmeg species- Horsfieldia glabra. Use of freshly fallen seeds and soaking them in gibberellic acid (100 mg/L) for 24 h was recommended for getting superior germination.
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Standardized vegetative propagation technique for Piper sarmentosum. Use of double node stem cuttings and treatment with 1,000 mg/L IBA supported superior rooting percentage.
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Exploration, Characterization, Micropropagation and Agro-technique Standardization of Important Rhizomatous Species-Mango Ginger from Bay Islands (2015-2020)
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Curcuma mangga was identified as a novel spice crop for cultivation in the Andaman Islands. The species produces rhizomes which look like ginger while its smell is akin to raw mango.
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Essential oil profiling of different parts of rhizomes revealed presence of beta- myrcene and cyclofenchene as dominant compounds.
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Agro-techniques for cultivation were standardized under Andaman conditions. Considering higher essential oil yield (17.6 ml/m2), dry matter recovery (24.4%) and curcumin (0.46%) content, seed rhizomes of 20–25 g size were recommended for producing raw material meant for pharmaceutical and aroma industries. If the produce is meant for processing and value addition purpose, use of smaller seed rhizomes (15–20 g) was recommended.
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Efficient micropropagation protocol was developed for multiplication of mango ginger. Use of meta topolin as cytokinin, dextrose as carbon source and two-bud inoculum was recommended. )
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Value added products viz. Mango ginger paste and dehydrated shreds were prepared from the rhizomes to improve the profitability of cultivation.
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All India Coordinated Research Project on Palms (2015 onwards)
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Established a nucleus seed garden of improved varieties of coconut (CARI-Annapurna, CARI- Omkar, CARI- Surya and CARI- Chandan) and Arecanut (Samruddhi).
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Arecanut is a popular plantation crop in the Andaman Islands. To promote intercropping in it, experiment was conducted in South Andaman Island. Broad dhaniya incorporation in arecanut (var. Samrudhi) plantation as intercrop showed 35% higher returns than sole cropping. B:C ratio of this treatment was found to be 3.19 and hence, it could be recommended for the island farmers. Further, arecanut based cropping systems models were evaluated and banana, ginger and elephant foot yam were identified as profitable intercrops.
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Developed and evaluated models for coconut based cropping system using banana, ginger, elephant foot yam and pineapple under island conditions.
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Micropropagation, agro-techniques standardization and utilization of woody pepper (Piper pendulispicum C.DC.): a novel spice from Andaman Islands (2020-2022)
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Developed Radial Serpentine Method for rapid propagation and high establishment of woody pepper.
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Piperine and phenolic content in woody pepper stem was found to vary with stem thickness and drying method followed.
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Proposed a model for commercial scale cultivation of woody pepper as an intercrop in the arecanut plantation and developed a demonstration block.
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Biochemical studies revealed that total phenolic content varies with thickness of stem and solvent used for extraction. Qualitative biochemical analysis suggested presence of alkaloids, glycosides, phenols and flavonoids in the stem powder.
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Collection, characterization, evaluation and mass multiplication of unconventional native and exotic fruit crops for Bay Islands
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Identified Garcinia dhanikhariensis (Andaman Kokum) as novel crop for commercial cultivation in the Andaman Islands. Fruits were found to be rich in anthocyanins and amenable for processing.
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Mangosteen (Garcinia mangostana) and Malabar tamarind (Garcinia gummi-gutta) were identified as profitable commercial crops for the islands.
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Identified superior germplasm (GDH/SA/DK) of Andaman Kokum with bold fruits and high total anthocyanin content from South Andaman Island.
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Identified superior germplasm of Malabar tamarind (GG-05) with early fruiting and thin rind for cultivation in the islands.
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Nursery technique for blood fruit was standardized. Soaking of freshly harvested seeds in thiourea (0.1%) or GA3 (1000 mg/L) for 24 h was most congenial for obtaining healthy seedlings in large numbers.
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Developed round the year propagation technique for watery rose apple. Technique involves raising the mother plants in containers maintained under protected conditions provided with misting facility. Use of coir pith compost facilitated root development and improved rooting characteristics.
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Identified six Garcinia species as sources of fat for industrial purposes. Oleic acid was dominant compound in G. andamanica, G. cowa, G. kydia and G. dulcis, while stearic acid was dominant in G. celebica and G. dhanikhariensis.
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Standardized nursery technique for Garcinia kydia, Garcinia dhanikhariensis, G. andamanica, Semecarpus kurzii and Semecarpus prainii.
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Developed Garcinia conservation block and underutilized fruits block at the Garacharma farm of the Institute.
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Development of Protocols for Micropropagation of Selected Fruit Crops for Bay Islands
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Developed an R&D scale plant tissue culture facility for standardization of micropropagation and acclimatization protocols of horticultural crops.
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Standardized micropropagation protocols for locally popular banana varieties viz. Korangi and Cheena Kela. Bunch characters of micropropagated and tissue cultured plantls of Korangi were comparable.
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Provided technical guidance to Department of Agriculture, Andaman and Nicobar administration for establishment of commercial scale Plant Tissue Culture Laboratory.
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In vitro mass multiplication, characterization and habitat enrichment of two horticulturally important underutilized species from Andaman and Nicobar Islands
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Identified blood fruit (Haematocarpus validus) as a novel natural colourant. LC-MS studies revealed Pelargonidin followed by cyanidin as dominant anthocyanins in the blood red pulp.
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Identified a superior collection (HV/MA/SND) of blood fruit with highest content of total anthocyanins in fruit pulp from Middle Andaman Island.
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Standardized seed pretreatment and substrate for germination in endemic seed fertile Musa indandamanensis syn. M. sabuana and M. paramjitiana. Based on seed storage studies, M. indandamanensis was found to exhibit intermediate storage behaviour.
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In a pioneering attempt, standardized micropropagation technology for M. indandamanensis.
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Popularized blood fruit as a backyard crop in the islands among various stakeholders including hoteliers and farmers.
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Habitat enrichment activities were taken up in collaboration with local departments, schools, communities etc. for conservation of these species.
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Interventions for promotion of urban and peri-urban horticulture in the islands through immunity boosting fruits, spices and herbs
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Two new technologies for cultivation of culantro viz. Dweep ProDhaniya and Dweep ProDhaniya Multi were developed to promote urban horticulture
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Institutional Demonstration Unit on urban horticulture was established at the Institute
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Planting material of passion fruit (Passiflora edulis var. flavicarpa), West Indian cherry (Malpighia punicifolia), lime (Citrus aurantifolia), culantro (Eryngium foetidum), cinnamon (Cinnamomum verum), tejpat (Cinnamomum tamala), long pepper (Piper longum) etc. is being multiplied in Horticultural Plants Propagation Unit of the Institute and supplied to the stakeholders.
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