SpicesVar : Spices Variety Database

SpicesVar is ICAR-AICRPS´s database on the performance of spice varieties in India. SpicesVar is also a platform for the exchange of know-how among scientists and a tool to safeguard, retrieve, and exchange information related to spices. Information can be retrieved regarding three groups of spice crops: major spices, tree spices, and seed spices. The database has a primary function, which is data retrieval. Access to and use of the database are free. It is a powerful search engine for easy retrieval and comparison of information. It is also a template for educational purposes and a gateway to spice knowledge and statistics.

SpicesVar addresses the needs of producers, the public, and spice research centres for information management related to spice crop cultivars in different agro-climatic environments and allows users to identify cultivars adapted to their specific requirements and environment. Scientists from spices research institutes and universities reviewed the database and provided valuable comments and suggestions for its design and improvement.

 


AJWAIN
Ajwain is widely grown in India,Afghanistan, Pakistan, Egypt, Iraq, and  Iran in arid to semi-arid regions where soils contain high levels of salts. Ajwain oil contains thymol as main active ingredient. In India, the major Ajwain producing states are Rajasthan and Gujarat, where Rajasthan produces about 90% of India's total production.
BLACK PEPPER
Vietnam, Indonesia, and India are the leading producers of black pepper which is widely used for seasoning and as a spice.  Black pepper is cultivated to a large extent in Kerala, Karnataka and Tamil Nadu and to a limited extent in Maharashtra, North eastern states and Andaman & Nicobar Islands. Kerala and Karnataka account for a major portion of production of black pepper in the country.
 
CARDAMOM
In India, Cardamom cultivation is confined mainly to the Western Ghats of Kerala, Karnataka and Tamil Nadu. Kerala accounts for 60% of the cultivation and production followed by Karnataka 30% and Tamil Nadu 10%. Idukki district in Kerala is the major cardamom producing area. In addition to Guatemala and India, Sri Lanka, Nepal, Papua New Guinea and Tanzania are also significant growers of cardamom.
CASSIA
Cassia is derived from the dried bark and leaves of the cassia tree.  The tree exhibits a preference for well-lit environments, although it has some shade tolerance when young, favoring cool and moist conditions. Beyond its culinary application, Cassia has a well-known role in traditional medicine.  It is primarily found in India, South China, Vietnam, Laos, and Myanmar. It thrives at altitudes of up to 300 meters above sea level and requires a mean daily temperature of approximately 23 degrees Celsius, along with an annual rainfall of about 1250 mm spread across 135 wet days.
CINNAMON
Cinnamon is derived from the dried inner stem bark of the Cinnamomum verum plant. Cinnamon plants are typically cultivated as bushes, and they become ready for harvesting when they reach about 2 meters in height and 8-12 cm in base diameter at the age of two years.
CLOVE
Clove the air-dried unopened flower bud of a medium-sized evergreen tree. These trees typically grow to a height of 10-12 meters and start flowering around the age of 7 years.  Clove is indigenous to the North Molucca Islands of Indonesia and is also cultivated in regions such as Zanzibar, Madagascar, Malaysia, Sri Lanka, and India. The tree prefers a warm climate with temperatures ranging from 25 to 35 degrees Celsius, abundant sunlight, good and evenly distributed rainfall exceeding 150 cm, and high humidity levels above 70%.
CORIANDER
Coriander (Coriandrum sativum L.) belongs to the Apiaceae family, is valued for its seed and leaf in flavouring various dishes. Coriander is native to the Mediterranean region and is commercially cultivated in various parts of the world, including India, Morocco, Russia, East European countries, France, Central America, Mexico, and the USA. Coriander serves various culinary purposes, with the young plant used for flavoring and garnishing curries and soups.
CUMIN
 The cumin is mainly cultivated in India, Turkey, Syria, United Arab Emirates (UAE), Iran, Egypt, Pakistan, and Italy.  India Cumin is mostly cultivated in Rajasthan and Gujarat and in some part of M.P. and U.P. as a rabi crop. Rajasthan and Gujarat have important position in terms of area and production and contribute 99% of the total production of cumin in India.
FENNEL
India is the world's largest fennel producing country with Syria, Egypt, Turkey, Germany, Spain and Pakistan also making significant contributions to global production. In India Rajasthan, Andhra Pradesh, Punjab, Uttar Pradesh, Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, Karnataka and Haryana are major fennel growing states.
FENUGREEK
Originally native to South Eastern Europe and West Asia, fenugreek is now cultivated in various regions, including India, Argentina, Egypt, and Mediterranean countries such as Southern France, Morocco, and Lebanon. In India, it is extensively grown in states like Rajasthan, Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra, and Punjab. Fenugreek is a cold-season crop and exhibits tolerance to frost and very low temperatures. 
GINGER
The centre of origin in India and Malaysia. Now it is widely cultivated in India, Jamaica, Sierra Leone, Nigeria, Malaysia, Southern China and Japan. Ginger requires warm and humid climate and thrives well from sea level to an altitude of 1500 mtrs above MSL. A well distributed rainfall (150 to 300cm) during growing season and dry spells during land preparation and harvesting are required for the crop. Though grows on a wide range of soils, lateritic loams are preferred for higher yields.
NIGELA
Nigella is commonly known as black seed.  Nigella is native to Southern Europe, North Africa and Southwest Asia and it is cultivated in many countries in the world like Middle Eastern Mediterranean region, South Europe, India, Pakistan, Syria, Turkey, Saudi Arabia
NUTMEG
The nutmeg tree is native to the Moluccas, with major nutmeg growing regions in Indonesia and Grenada. It is also cultivated on a smaller scale in places like India, Sri Lanka, China, Malaysia, Zanzibar, Mauritius, and the Solomon Islands. Nutmeg thrives in areas with a warm, humid climate, ranging from sea level to 600 meters above mean sea level. In India, nutmeg is mainly cultivated in Thrissur, Ernakulam and Kottayam districts of Kerala and parts of Kanyakumari and Tirunelveli districts in Tamil Nadu.
TURMERIC
India is a leading producer and exporter of turmeric in the world. Kerala, Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Orissa, Karnataka, West Bengal, Gujarat, Meghalaya, Maharashtra, Assam are some of the important states cultivates turmeric. India dominates the world production scenario contributing 80% followed by China (8%), Myanmar (4%), Nigeria (3%) and Bangladesh (3%).