A semi technical magazine devoted to publishing articles on new techniques of raising vegetables, fruits and flowers from India and countries having similar agricultural conditions. Special issues are also brought out on topical issues. It is bimonthly. Subscription Information for Print Version
Complete copyright vests with the Indian Council of Agricultural Research, who will have the right to enter into an agreement with any organization in India or abroad engaged in reprography, photocopying, storage and dissemination of information contained in it, and neither author nor his/her legal heirs will have any claims on royalty.
Diversified Nutritive Coconut Value-Added Products: Technologies and Innovations
Coconut-based agribusiness has emerged as a promising sector with significant domestic and international market potential, driven by the growing demand for value-added coconut products and modern processing technologies. However, the coconut industry has faced several challenges in recent years, including fluctuating market prices, competition from cheaper vegetable oils such as palm oil, and shortages of skilled labour. In this context, product diversification and value addition have become essential for stabilizing the coconut oil-driven market and revitalizing the industry in a cost-effective and globally competitive manner. These challenges, in turn, have encouraged farmers and entrepreneurs to explore innovative coconut-based agribusiness opportunities in India.
Coconut; Kalparasa®; Nutrition; Value added products
Copyright (c) 2026 Indian Horticulture https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0
Litchi: A Nutrient-Rich Fruit for Better Health and Nutrition Security
Litchi (Litchi chinensis Sonn.), popularly known as the 'Queen of Fruits', is a nutrient-rich subtropical fruit with significant potential to enhance nutrition and health in India. It is normally consumed as fresh or processed and has become one of the most popular fruits because it has a delicious flavor, attractive color, and high nutritive value. Whole litchi fruits have been used not only as a food source but also for medicinal purposes. The health benefits of litchi have been attributed to its wide range of nutritional components, among which polysaccharides and polyphenols have been proven to possess various beneficial properties. Regular consumption of litchi supports immunity, cardiovascular health, digestion, and overall well-being. The fruit also plays an important role in addressing hidden hunger by improving dietary diversity and micronutrient intake. In addition, litchi by-products offer scope for nutraceutical and value-added applications. With its increasing availability and acceptance, litchi is emerging as a nutrition-smart fruit, contributing to improved public health and supporting nutrition-sensitive horticulture in India.
Health benefits; Immunity booster; Litchi; Nutrition-smart fruit; Oligonol
Harnessing Nutraceutical Potential and Market Opportunities of spice sector in India
India is redefining its historic legacy as the world’s spice hub by pivoting from raw commodity exports to high-value, processed derivatives. Producing 12 million tonnes annually, the sector is undergoing a massive transformation driven by changing global consumer demands for wellness, sustainability, and quality assurance. The traditional export of ground powders is rapidly giving way to sophisticated, high-margin products like essential oils, oleoresins, nutraceuticals, and specialty ingredients. By blending innovation with advanced processing technology, India’s spice value chain is unlocking immense economic wealth, ensuring global market premium pricing, and securing its position in modern agro-industrial development.
Health and Nutrition; Nutraceutical Potential; Spices; Value addition
Tropical Tuber Crops: Future Foods for Nutrition, Health and Wellness
Transitioning from the 'food of the poor' to globally recognized future-smart foods, tropical tuber crops (TTCs) like cassava, sweet potato, and yams are reshaping Indian horticulture. Contributing over ₹130 billion annually, these climate-resilient powerhouses secure the livelihoods of 200 million people, including vital tribal and marginal farming communities. Breakthrough biofortified varieties such as beta-carotene-rich Bhu Sona and antioxidant-heavy Bhu Krishna are tackling hidden hunger head-on. By merging low-input, drought-tolerant cultivation with advanced processing for gluten-free, low-glycemic, and industrial bioeconomic applications, TTCs offer an indispensable blueprint for sustainable national health and climate-resilient agricultural growth.
Cultivation practices; Mulching; Protected cultivation; Strawberry; Yield
Citrus-Based Functional Foods and Beverages
Recent innovations in citrus-based functional beverages, fortified confectionery, fibre-enriched snacks, and peel-derived nutraceutical ingredients demonstrate how horticultural science can directly contribute to preventive healthcare. Notfrom-concentrate citrus drinks enhance hydration and antioxidant intake, while vitamin C-fortified gummies and jelly bites provide child-friendly immune nutrition. Pomace-based cubes and cookies improve fibre intake and metabolic moderation, and peel-derived pectin and essential oils extend applications into functional food formulation and natural preservation. These products demonstrate how citrus bio-resources can address nutritional gaps while promoting sustainability, circular bioeconomy principles, and reduction of post-harvest losses. Citrus valueaddition thus represents a powerful convergence of horticulture, nutrition science, preventive healthcare, and green enterprise development.
Bioactives; Bioeconomy; Citrus; Functional foods and beverages; Health benefits; Human nutrition
Value Addition in Citrus and Valorisation of Waste for Secondary Agriculture and Profit Optimization
Citrus fruits are among the most important horticultural commodities worldwide because of their nutritional, medicinal, and industrial significance. India is a leading producer of mandarin, sweet orange, lemon, and acid lime; however, substantial post-harvest losses occur due to inadequate storage, limited processing infrastructure, and poor value-addition practices. Citrus fruits are highly valued because of their refreshing flavour, rich nutritional composition, antioxidant properties, and therapeutic importance. They are important sources of vitamin C, flavonoids, carotenoids, sugars, dietary fiber, organic acids, and several bioactive compounds that contribute to human health. Citrus fruits are highly suitable for secondary agriculture because nearly every component of the fruit can be converted into value-added products. Approximately 40–45% of citrus fruits are utilized for juice extraction, while the remaining 55% is generated as waste in the form of peel, pulp, pomace, and seeds. Traditionally, these by-products were discarded, causing environmental pollution and economic losses.
Citrus fruits; Citrus value chain; Profit optimization; Secondary agriculture
Pomegranate (Punica granatum): A Powerhouse of Health and Nutrition
Transforming India’s arid regions, the pomegranate has emerged as a cornerstone of the 'Viksit Bharat' vision. This resilient superfood drives rural prosperity by yielding high returns per acre, encouraging youth to embrace modern agribusiness. Nationally, booming exports of premium varieties like 'Bhagwa' strengthen India's global trade footprints, while advanced processing units foster lucrative rural entrepreneurship. By seamlessly blending water-efficient, climate-smart cultivation with robust value-addition industries, pomegranate farming secures both nutritional health and economic resilience. It stands as a definitive, highly scalable blueprint for sustainable agricultural innovation and nationwide development.
Health and Nutrition; Nutritional quality; Nutritive value; Value added products
Circular Bio-economy Approach for Zero-Waste Processing and Value Addition in Mango
Mango, being a climacteric fruit, undergoes rapid physiological and biochemical changes after harvest, leading to accelerated deterioration and significant postharvest losses. These losses contribute to substantial economic setbacks due to inadequate storage facilities, limited processing infrastructure and inefficiencies across the supply chain. A circular bio-economy approach provides a sustainable pathway for addressing these challenges through zero-waste processing and inclusive mango utilization. By integrating shelf-life extension strategies, value addition and valorization of mango peel, pulp and seed kernel into nutraceuticals and functional products, this approach minimizes waste, enhances resource-use efficiency, increases farmer income, promotes environmental sustainability and strengthens inclusive agri-food systems.
Circular bio-economy; Mango; Mango kernel butter; Zero-waste processing
Nutraceuticals and Circular Bioeconomy from Banana
Banana, one of the world’s most consumed fruits, offers immense potential for a circular bioeconomy through innovative value addition. Starch-rich cultivars and export-reject bananas are being transformed into low-fat chips, high resistant starch flour, modified starches provides low glycaemic, ready-to-cook foods and functional instant powders that support food security, improve satiety and promote gut health. Ripe banana powder, puree, non-starch polysaccharides, clarified fortified juices, wine and vinegar add versatility in the banana based products basket. Banana biomass, including leaves, flower, rhizome, peel and pseudo-stem residues, has also been utilized for producing xylitol-based low GI sugar free confectioneries, diabetic-friendly syrups and nutraceutical products. Encapsulation technologies using banana starch have enabled controlled delivery of probiotics and bio-actives such as β-carotene, laminarin and fish oil, enhancing stability and bioavailability for functional foods. Central core stem juice fortified with minerals like iron and vitamins demonstrates the potential of underutilized biomass for nutritionally enriched beverages with entrepreneurship opportunities. Beyond food applications, banana biomass has been converted into hydrogels, bioplastics, intelligent packaging materials, thermoplastic cutlery, fibre composites and biodegradable alternatives. Peel derived pectin, anthocyanin from flower, cellulose from pseudostem, mid rib, dietary fibre from scutcher and rhizomebased products, further support a zero-waste framework, highlighting banana as a sustainable resource for food, nutraceutical, biomedical and eco-friendly industrial applications.
Banana; Bio-processing innovations; Functional food; Nutraceuticals
Vegetables as Medicine: The Bioactive Potential of Vegetables
This study explores the remarkable medicinal properties of commonly consumed vegetables, emphasizing their role as natural pharmaceuticals. With India ranking second globally in vegetable production at 200.45 million tonnes, our traditional vegetables contain powerful bioactive compounds including polyphenols, flavonoids, carotenoids, and glucosinolates. Recent researches demonstrates that regular vegetable consumption reduces risks of cardiovascular diseases by 31%, stroke by 11%, and various cancers by 19%. The article highlights specific Indian vegetables like bitter gourd for diabetes management, drumstick for immunity, fenugreek for blood sugar regulation, and leafy greens for anemia prevention. Understanding vegetables as functional foods rather than mere dietary supplements can revolutionize nutritional approaches in Indian agriculture and public health, addressing both malnutrition and lifestyle diseases through farm-to-plate strategies.
Dragon Fruit: A New-Age Fruit forNutrition, Income and Sustainable Farming
Kamalam fruit is emerging as a high-value fruit crop in India owing to its richness in nutritional profile, adaptability to diverse agro-climatic conditions and increasing consumer demand. Rich in dietary fibre, minerals and antioxidants such as betalains, it is increasingly recognised as a health promoting fruit. The crop requires relatively low water, tolerates low fertile soils and bears early, making it suitable for sustainable horticulture. With increasing production, value addition has become mandatory to enhance market demand and farmer’s income. Research-led innovations such as Kamalam RTS, a ready-to-serve beverage with natural colour and prolonged shelf life, and dragon fruit powder with extended storage stability and diverse food applications, demonstrate the crop’s processing potential. Overall, dragon fruit offers great potential for nutrition security, entrepreneurship and profitable diversification of farming systems in India.
Advancement in Sohiong (Prunus nepaulensis) toimprove nutrition and food systems in NEH, India
Sohiong (Prunus nepaulensis (Ser.) Steud.) is an important underutilised indigenous fruit species native to Northeast India. Fruits are a valuable dietary source of nutrients, antioxidants, bioactive constituents and pigments, thereby representing a promising functional food with nutraceutical benefits. The fruits are consumed fresh and used in a range of value-added products, thus, play a significant role in the economy and traditional food systems in the region. The major scientific advances to improve the production and quality of Sohiong fruits are germplasm improvement, nutrient and bioactive compound profiling, standardisation of propagation techniques, sustainable orchard management, development of value-added products, and conservation strategies. Conservation and popularisation strategies are essential for sustainable utilisation, biodiversity conservation, livelihood enhancement, and strengthening climate-resilient food systems in Northeast India.
Grapes: A Natural Pathway toHuman Nutrition and Health
Grape is a low-calorie fruit that contains about 80-85% water, and has a low amount of fat present. It provides energy to the extent of 53-94 kcal/100 g. Grape contains carbohydrates, dietary fiber, protein, vitamins such as C, K, B-complex, β-carotene, and E, and important minerals including potassium, calcium, phosphorus, and magnesium. There are a lot of antioxidants in the skin and seeds of the fruit, especially polyphenols, e.g. resveratrol, anthocyanins, quercetin, and catechins. The antioxidants make the fruit even better for health. These compounds are linked to benefits including cardiovascular protection and blood vessel health, lowering inflammation, improving metabolism, protecting the brain, and boosting the immune system. Colored grape varieties usually have more antioxidant activities. Promoting functional foods made from grapes by utilizing the processing industry by-products helps in increasing farmers' income, and supports farming systems that focus on health-oriented food strategies. It also helps ensure nutritional security, increase farmers income, and supports sustainable farming systems that focus on health-oriented food strategies.
Scientific cultivation of Jasmine:A potential avenue for women-led Entrepreneurship
Floriculture is slowly transitioning from a low-return farming practice to a very profitable agricultural company as demand for flowers grows in the area and the ability to export them grows. Jasmine cultivation is now a profitable industry, and this article talks about the scientific cultivation, year round production, value added product, profits earning and the business as a whole. Jasmine flowers all year long, and the weather in India is always changing, which is perfect for it. The flower will still be in high demand even when the economy is down because it is important for religious events, festivals, and weddings. Beyond fresh flowers, it is chiefly used in cosmetics, essential oils, pharmaceuticals, and perfumes. Small-scale farmers and business owners in India, especially women's groups, can become financially independent by adopting jasmine cultivation as entrepreneur. The adoption of scientific technologies including right choice of Jasminum species, timing of planting to harvesting, postharvest and its processing led to become a modern-day gold mine.
From wetlands to wellness: Makhanaa functional superfood for nutritionaland Health security of India
Makhana (fox nut), a traditional wetland crop of Bihar, is emerging as a nutrientrich functional food supporting India’s nutrition and health security. In recent years, increasing health awareness and market demand have transformed makhana from a local crop into a high-value agri-enterprise. Its rich protein, mineral and antioxidant content helps address hidden hunger and lifestyle diseases. A key innovation is the shift from traditional pond systems to scientifically managed pond–cum-field cultivation, which has improved productivity, processing efficiency and farmer income. Expansion of value-added products and stronger market linkages have further boosted its economic potential. Integrating makhana into public nutrition programmes such as Mid-Day Meal and ICDS offers a practical strategy to improve dietary quality. Future growth depends on enhancing productivity, decentralised processing and market integration to ensure sustainable nutrition and livelihood security.
Potato: A Key Crop forGlobal Food and Nutritional Security
Potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) is one of the most important food crops in the world and a major source of food and nutritional security. It is widely grown, low in cost, easy to prepare, and valued for its ability to provide quick energy and useful nutrients. Although it is mainly known as a starch-rich food, potato tubers also contain proteins, dietary fibre, vitamins, minerals, phenolics, anthocyanins, carotenoids, and other bioactive compounds that support human health. Potatoes are also a good source of resistant starch and high-quality protein, and they contribute important amounts of vitamin C, vitamin B6, potassium, and iron to the diet. Coloured and biofortified potatoes are especially rich in healthpromoting compounds and may help reduce the risk of chronic diseases such as diabetes, obesity, and cardiovascular disorders. In addition, potato proteins and phenolic compounds show antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and cholesterollowering properties. Value-added potato products, including cookies, halwa premix, semolina, porridge, gulab-jamun, jalebi, muffins, and other convenient foods, increase the use of potato in healthy and consumer-friendly forms. Overall, potato is not only a staple crop but also a versatile and nutritious food with strong potential to improve public health and support future food security.
Impact of important ICAR-CISH technologies
The ICAR-Central Institute for Subtropical Horticulture, Lucknow has pioneered the development and dissemination of varieties and technologies to enhance productivity, quality, and marketability of fruits in Subtropical region of the country. The impact of CISH developed guava varieties Lalit and Shweta, technologies such as ICAR FUSICONT, CISH Metwash and the effect of cluster-based programs was evaluated. Adoption of varieties have led to increased yield, adoption of ICAR FUSICONT increased the productivity, adoption of GAP led to decreased use of chemicals and increased exports besides promoting entrepreneurship, and generated significant economic benefits. The study underscores the importance of large-scale adoption of these varieties and technologies to maximize economic and social benefits for all stakeholders.
Cluster-based approach, Economic surplus, Good Agricultural Practices, Post-harvest technologies, Subtropical fruits
Copyright (c) 2026 Indian Horticulture https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/4.0
Dried and dehydrated fruit products for commercial markets
Subtropical fruits such as mango, guava, aonla, bael, and jamun encounter considerable post-harvest losses ranging from 20% to 30% due to high perishability. ICAR-CISH Lucknow has innovated novel products by using drying and dehydration methodologies, such as osmotic dehydration, freeze-drying, infrared drying, and microwave-assisted drying, to mitigate these losses. The application of these methods enhances shelf life, minimizes transportation expenses, and maintains both nutritional and sensory attributes. Products like freeze-dried fruit powders and cubes, leathers, candies, and pulp blocks/ cubes address the increasing domestic and international demand for nutritious and convenient snack options. The technologies developed by the institute, in conjunction with its Agri-Business Incubation program, facilitate the advancement of commercialization and promote rural entrepreneurship.
Freeze-drying, Rural entrepreneurship, Osmotic dehydration, Subtropical fruits, Value-added products
Fruit based nutri-bars for rural and urban nutrition security
The ICAR-Central Institute for Subtropical Horticulture (CISH) has developed advanced technologies for raw mango, ripe mango, guava nutri bites, and jamun fruit bars aimed at improving nutritional content and facilitating fruit utilization. These products utilize the abundant antioxidant, vitamin, and mineral composition of these fruits, providing nutritious and convenient snack options. This technology enhances shelf life, minimizes postharvest losses, and facilitates value addition for agricultural producers. It additionally fosters entrepreneurship and sustainable agriculture via scalable processing techniques. These advancements improve food security and deliver nutritious, commercially viable products for consumers.
Bioactive compounds, Fruit-based snacks, Nutritional security, Shelf-stable bars Value-addition
Nutraceutical supplements from subtropical fruits
Nutraceuticals, derived from food sources with health-promoting properties, are increasingly recognized as essential components of preventive healthcare and functional foods. The growing prevalence of chronic diseases and rising consumer demand for natural remedies have accelerated the global expansion of the nutraceutical market. Subtropical fruits such as mango, jamun, guava, bael, aonla, and wood apple serve as valuable sources of bioactive compounds, including polyphenols, flavonoids, carotenoids, and glycosides, with well documented therapeutic benefits. Advanced processing technologies like infrared drying and nano-encapsulation further enhance the bioavailability, stability, and shelf life of fruit-derived products. Nutraceutical-enriched food supplements developed from subtropical fruits at ICAR-CISH Lucknow are briefly highlighted in this article, emphasizing their role in nutrition and health.
Bioactive compounds, Functional foods, Nano-encapsulation, Nutraceutical supplements, Subtropical fruits
Micro-encapsulation of fruit extracts for food applications: An innovative approach
Fruit extracts are rich in bioactive compounds such as polyphenols, carotenoids, flavonoids, and vitamins, which offer significant health benefits. However, their direct incorporation into food systems is limited by low stability, poor solubility, and susceptibility to degradation during processing and storage. Microencapsulation and bigel technologies have emerged as effective strategies to overcome these challenges by enhancing compound stability, bioavailability, and controlled release. Microencapsulation and bigel systems using fruit extracts, particularly mangiferin from mango and anthocyanins from jamun, have been standardized at ICAR-CISH Lucknow. Extraction, stabilization protocols, and wall material interactions were optimized to preserve color, phytochemical content, and sensory properties. These innovations enable the development of value-added, fruit-based functional foods with improved stability, enhanced health benefits, and greater consumer appeal, contributing to healthier and market-ready food products.
Anthocyanins, Bioactive compounds, Functional foods, Mangiferin, Microencapsulation
Innovation-led value chain management in mango and banana
Among fruit crops, mango and bananas are the most important crops hovering 50% share in fruits area substantially dominated by mango. Fruit crops production witnessed significant increase from 28.6 million metric tonne (MMT) in 1991–92 to 118.76 MMT in 2024-25. Subtropical production, however, faces distinct constraints: variable climates, short and uneven fruiting periods, cultivar-specific postharvest sensitivity, and fragmented, small holder based value chains that depress farm-gate prices and heighten losses. Persistent gaps include limited pre- and postharvest technologies suited to subtropical cultivars, weak cold-chain and controlled-atmosphere capacity, inadequate extension and aggregation services, inconsistent grading standards, low uptake of processing, and poor market information and finance access. The production and processing for premium markets faced stringent competition from the imports. These challenges arise from biological factors, infrastructure deficits, seasonal gluts, and limited product diversification. ICAR CISH developed innovation led solutions in value chain management of mango, banana and honey with four interoperable pillars: (1) improved on-farm interventions— canopy management, bagging of fruits, IPM based biointensive pest disease management system; (2) cost-effective postharvest options—low cost precooling, better packaging, modular cold-chains, and basic ethylene and decay control; (3) value addition—community processing, standardized grading, aggregation models, and quality/ origin branding; and (4) enabling systems—capacity building, cooperatives, inclusive finance, and digital market information. An implementation roadmap emphasizes scalable pilots, public–private partnerships, and gender-responsive approaches to reduce losses and raise incomes.
Cold-chain logistics, Good Agricultural Practices, Postharvest loss reduction, Sea-freight export protocols, Value chain management
Sustaining the export of mango and banana through value-chain development
Mango and banana are high-value tropical fruits critical to South and Southeast Asian economies and diets. Subtropical production faces challenges including variable climates, irregular fruiting, cultivar-specific postharvest sensitivity, and fragmented smallholder value chains, leading to low farm-gate prices and high losses. Key gaps include limited pre- and postharvest technologies, weak cold chain and controlled-atmosphere capacity, inconsistent grading, low processing adoption, and poor market and finance access. Addressing these requires four pillars: improved on-farm practices, cost-effective postharvest interventions, value addition, and enabling systems. Scalable pilots, public–private partnerships, and gender-inclusive approaches can enhance efficiency, reduce losses, and increase farmer incomes.
Cold-chain and export logistics, Good Agricultural Practices, Postharvest management, Subtropical horticulture, Value-chain development
Bio-smart technologies for increasing shelf life and postharvest disease management in fruits for distant and export markets
Postharvest management is critical for ensuring fruit quality, especially when targeting distant and export markets where prolonged storage and transit pose major challenges. Fruits are highly perishable, and postharvest diseases such as anthracnose, stem-end rot, and sooty mould often cause significant economic losses. Conventional chemical treatments, though effective, raise concerns regarding food safety, residue levels, and environmental sustainability. Bio-smart technologies have emerged as promising alternatives by utilizing natural and ecofriendly interventions. These include secondary metabolite-based formulations, bio-control agents, organic-based fruit coatings, edible films, plant-based extracts, ethylene control mechanisms, and temperature and relative humidity alterations. These approaches for shelf life extension and maintaining fruit freshness not only prolong shelf life and reduce postharvest diseases but also ensure compliance with international quality standards. Adoption of these bio-smart interventions can play a pivotal role in reducing postharvest losses, enhancing fruit quality for consumer acceptability, and improving the export competitiveness of Indian fruits globally.
Bio-control agents, Edible coatings, Ethylene scavengers, Postharvest disease management, Shelf life extension
Successful management of wilt diseases in mango, guava and banana: An integrated approach
Wilt diseases in perennial fruit crops such as mango, guava, and banana pose a major threat to sustainable production owing to the soil-borne nature of the pathogens and limited management options. Mango wilt (Ceratocystis fimbriata), guava wilt complex (Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. psidii), and banana wilt (Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. cubense) collectively cause severe yield losses, orchard decline, and long-term soil infestation, rendering conventional control measures largely ineffective. To address this challenge, ICAR–CISH, Lucknow, has developed and validated integrated wilt management strategies and modules encompassing soil health restoration, deployment of resistant/tolerant rootstocks, fungicide application, use of bioformulations (ICAR-FUSICONT), and farmers’ participatory management practices. Field validation of the mango wilt management module across multiple hotspot areas has achieved effective disease suppression, leading to improved plant vigour, enhanced productivity, and prolonged orchard longevity. The success of this integrated, eco-smart approach provides a sustainable, scalable, and resilient solution for managing soil-borne wilt pathogens in major subtropical fruit crops.
Bioformulations, Integrated wilt management, Soil-borne pathogens, Subtropical fruit crops, Wilt diseases
Green solutions for mango insect pest management: A bio-rational perspective
Mango crops are affected by numerous insect pests, primarily hoppers, fruit flies, mealy bugs, borers, and thrips. Extensive use of chemical pesticides has led to pest resistance, resurgence, residue accumulation, and environmental pollution. This necessitates the adoption of environmentally friendly, bio-rational pest management practices. Bio-rational pest management relies on biodegradable, target-specific, and residue-free options, such as cultural, botanical, microbial, mechanical, and ICT-based approaches. Successful pest management in mango orchards depends on the correct application of multiple strategies, including orchard sanitation, pruning, neem formulations, microbial bio-pesticides, pheromone traps, and bio-agent applications. Digital and online tools, combined with "smart traps," IoT, and remote monitoring, enhance early warning systems, precision, and decision-making, supporting ecologically sound, economically viable, and sustainable protection strategies for mango orchards.
Bio-rational pest management, Botanical and microbial pesticides, ICT and smart traps, Mango insect pests
Molecular revolution in plant health: Rapid assays for fungal wilt pathogens of subtropical fruits
Early generation molecular tools, such as PCR-RFLP, Bio-PCR, and colony PCR, allowed direct pathogen identification but faced challenges of cross-reactivity. Second-generation assays, including multiplex PCR and LAMP-PCR, improved detection efficiency and field applicability. Next-generation diagnostics have leveraged genomic and transcriptomic insights, resulting in highly sensitive qRTPCR, multiplex nested RT-PCR, and comparative genomics-based assays. Notably, unique Ceratocystis fimbriata–specific genes (Cf-PME and Cf-XYL) were identified and developed into a semi-quantitative colony PCR assay, enabling early and precise detection of the mango wilt pathogen directly from infected tissues.
Fusarium detection, Mango wilt, Molecular diagnostics, Next-generation diagnostics PCR-based assays
Bio-formulations for sustainable fruit production through bio-intensive management
The decline in populations of beneficial organisms, threats to human health, and environmental hazards caused by the excessive use of chemicals in crop production have prompted the search for safer alternatives. India ranks 12th in the world and 3rd in Asia in terms of pesticide consumption. Growing health consciousness has encouraged the adoption of bio-intensive organic farming. Microbes play a vital role in maintaining soil health, enhancing nutrient availability to plants, and managing crop pests. ICAR-CISH has developed and promoted products such as ICAR-FUSICONT, CISH-Bio-enhancer, CISH-Bio-zapper, and CISH-Beauveria bassiana for plant health promotion and pest management.
Beauveria bassiana, CISH-Bio-enhancer, CISH-Bio-zapper, ICAR-FUSICONT, Subtropical fruit crops
Low cost-hydroponics systems for urban and peri-urban farming
Urbanization and rapid industrialization are shrinking natural resources, while the ever-growing population suffers from malnutrition instead of enjoying guaranteed food security for every citizen of India. This situation necessitates adopting innovative approaches to ensure food and nutritional security. Hydroponics, a soilless farming technology, offers significant advantages, such as higher water use efficiency, pesticide-free production, and suitability for limited spaces. While high-tech hydroponics systems are often capital-intensive, low-cost hydroponic models using locally available materials—such as plastic bags, scrap containers, PVC pipes, polythene tubes, and coconut coir—can be effectively adopted for urban horticulture. ICAR-CISH Lucknow has developed low-cost designs using inexpensive materials in liquid and aggregate hydroponics, enabling year-round production of vegetables, herbs, and small fruits on rooftops and balconies. Promoting low-cost hydroponics can transform urban horticulture, enhance livelihoods, and contribute to a sustainable urban food system.
Nutrient solution, Rooftop gardening, Soilless cultivation, Urban horticulture, Vertical farming
Innovative eco-safe technologies for residue free fruit production
Producing good-quality fruits with minimal residue load is crucial for securing better prices in domestic and international markets. Pre-harvest fruit bagging in mango and guava has been standardized as cost-effective and eco-friendly practice for improving fruit quality. Fruits are covered with double-layer nonwoven bags (28 × 20 cm, 80 gsm for mango; 18 × 24 cm, 55 gsm for guava). Bagging is done 28–35 days after fruit set in mango and 35–40 days in guava, and bags remain until harvest. The bag mouth should be closed to prevent pest entry, with perforations to exchange air circulation. Bagging enhances fruit colour, firmness, and shelf life, and significantly reduces pest and disease damage (thrips injuries, fruit fly, physical scratches of fungal spot, etc). Consequently, bagged mango and guava fruits fetch higher market prices and are widely adopted by farmers.
Eco-friendly practices, Fruit bagging, Pest and disease management, Pre-harvest fruit bagging, Shelf life enhancement