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Human Practices

Introduction

From the very beginning, it was important for us to define our core values related to human practices, which ultimately shaped our approach towards both the project and the solution. Integrating the values of innovation, convenience for farmers, and intentional design was very important to us. Our team sought to gather insights from diverse perspectives, including those of consumers, producers, and experts in the field, to create a product that impacts an audience beyond iGEM, ultimately creating a global, lasting impact. After extensive discussions with professionals in the field, we validated our proof of concept, and their positive feedback encouraged us to continue seeking information and knowledge from every possible source.

Engaging with industry stakeholders, including farmers and agricultural experts, helped us understand the current treatment and management practices, such as the use of chemical fungicides and the limited availability of sustainable alternatives. These insights inspired our team to develop a solution that is both environmentally friendly and practical for farmers to use.

Moral and responsible research practices have been fundamental in guiding the design and execution of our laboratory experiments and approaches. With inputs from experts on various aspects of our project, we prioritized rigorous testing to ensure our complex is environmentally safe and effective. It also strengthened our confidence in the feasibility of our solution and motivated us to refine, finalize, and prepare it for real-world implementation.

Admar, Karnataka

6th April 2025

Admar, Karnataka

Our journey began close to home, with a visit to a team member’s relative in Admar, Karnataka. Problems are often best understood when you first hear them from your own people, and here we witnessed pepper cultivation in its most personal form: small-scale, traditional, and sustained by care. Interestingly, foot rot was absent here, but this very absence sharpened our curiosity: if some regions were untouched, why did others struggle so severely?

Key Observations

  1. Cultivation practices:
    • Minimal maintenance required; vines depend largely on monsoon water.
    • Mulch is applied around roots to improve water retention.
  2. Market value: ~₹1000/kg.
  3. Challenges:
    • Heavy rainfall leads to premature dropping of peppercorns.
    • No major foot rot cases observed locally, though noted in nearby Kuttur.
  4. Harvesting:
    • Conducted in December.
    • Preferred ripeness: peppercorns slightly orange, not entirely green.

Our Insights

  • Self-sufficiency and low input costs are prioritized rather than maximizing yield.
  • Practices such as mulching highlight reliance on traditional ecological knowledge.
  • Limited exposure to foot rot reflects regional variability and emphasizes the need for location-specific interventions.
  • Any new technology must align with the grower’s philosophy of simplicity and minimal intervention to be adopted.

Soans Farm

16th May 2025

Soans Farm

This curiosity about the untouched regions carried us to Soans Farm, where the stark contrast was evident. Here, unlike Admar, disease lingered like a shadow. Farmers kept their crops alive with every tool they had, but each harvest revealed a more profound truth: that yield often came at the cost of safety and the promise of tomorrow. The realization from these steps was clear: the problem was bigger than one farm and demanded deeper exploration.

Key Observations

  1. Pollination:
    • Largely facilitated by raindrops transferring pollen.
  2. Post-harvest processing:
    • Black pepper: dried green peppercorns.
    • White pepper: de-skinned black pepper.
  3. Disease challenges:
    • Quick Wilt: rapid death of vines.
    • Slow Wilt: gradual decline.
  4. Management strategies:
    • Bordeaux mixture (copper sulphate + lime) is a traditional fungicide.
    • Trichoderma + manure applied for fungal suppression.
    • Chemical sprays are used regularly as a preventive measure.
  5. Concerns:
    • Long-term chemical use leads to possible residues in pepper, which increase carcinogenic risk.
  6. Varieties:
    • Karimunda: Has a lower yield but higher resistance to diseases, hence preferred in disease-prone areas.

Our Insights

  • Farmers balance productivity with sustainability, valuing disease resistance even at the cost of yield.
  • There is awareness of health risks from chemical residues, creating openness to new biological solutions.
  • Regular preventive spraying shows risk-averse behavior; any new solution must provide consistent, reliable protection.
  • Farmers trust traditional methods like Bordeaux mixture, but are receptive to innovations that reduce chemical dependence.
  • They recognize potential in genetically targeted sprays, as they reduce chemical residues in pepper, thus eliminating carcinogenic risk.

Varanashi Farms

18th July 2025

Varanashi Farms

With these learnings, we arrived at Varanashi Farms. The owner’s background in science gave the visit a unique tone. Unlike our first visit, where the disease was more of a rumour, here it was immediate and real. The mention of pepper diseases instantly triggered a response: “Phytophthora.” The conversation flowed easily between field and laboratory, weaving farming experience with insights from microbiology and nanotechnology. What stayed with us was clear: cultivators are not searching for generic quick fixes, but for precise, reliable solutions to the challenges that return year after year.

Key Observations

  1. Disease Prevalence:
    • The farm owner immediately identified Phytophthora as the most prevalent disease in pepper cultivation.
    • A field guide referred to diseased plants as suffering from “kole roga”, a local term referring to pepper foot rot/quick wilt.
    • Dead pepper plants were observed during the field tour.
  2. Current Disease Management Practices:
    • Trichoderma Application:
      • Used as a broad-spectrum biocontrol agent, which farmers apply primarily for foot rot management.
      • The farm owner could not provide clarity on its specific efficacy, highlighting a knowledge gap in evaluating field performance.
    • Grafting with Wild Species ("Hippali"):
      • Farmers graft cultivated pepper onto the rootstock of wild climbers, referred to locally as “Hippali”.
      • Purpose: To confer disease resistance (most likely against foot rot).
      • Benefits: Stronger root systems and increased survival under high disease pressure.
      • Limitations: Possible issues with yield reduction, compatibility, or changes in metabolite profiles.
  3. Knowledge Gaps Identified:
    • The effectiveness of biocontrol treatments (Trichoderma) is not well quantified at the farm level.
    • Traditional practices such as grafting are used, but without clear documentation of resistance mechanisms.

Our Insights

  • Farmers rely heavily on traditional knowledge and simple interventions (Trichoderma, grafting).
  • Adoption of new technologies depends on:
    • Cost-effectiveness.
    • Ease of use in field conditions.
    • Compatibility with existing practices.
  • A strong translation bridge between local terminology (e.g., “kole roga”, “Hippali”) and scientific terminology is needed for effective communication.

Magadha Vana

14th August 2025

Magadha Vana

If Varanashi gave us clarity on the problem, Magadha Vana revealed to us the challenges in finding a practical solution. At this farm, tied to the CPCRI, we saw farmers calling on nature’s hidden allies: microbes and nematodes, to fight the tide of the disease. Yet the heaviest battles were not in the soil, but in the unseen weight of cost and access. A farmer’s concerns on the affordability of the solution left a lasting impact on us. It was a reminder that sustainability encompasses not only the health of our soil and crops, but also the survival of those who nurture them.

Key Observations

  1. Current Biocontrol Practices:
    • Root Grubs in Areca nut: Controlled using Entomopathogenic (EP) nematodes, supplied by CPCRI as a liquid formulation.
    • Black Pepper: Managed using a combination of Trichoderma + Pseudomonas + Nematodes as preventative treatments.
    • Application methods: Root drenching and foliar spray, done before and after the monsoon season.
  2. Constraints:
    • Cost of biocontrol, as opposed to chemical treatments.
    • Limited market availability and distribution of nematode formulations due to shipping challenges (live organisms).
    • Repeated application is necessary due to reduced persistence in monsoon conditions.
  3. Farmer Perspectives:
    • Farmers prefer low-cost, broad-spectrum solutions.
    • Trichoderma is valued for its broad applicability, despite its limited pathogen specificity.
    • Native pepper varieties are more resilient than hybrids (e.g., Panniyur-4, Panniyur-2).
    • Foot rot is observed mainly post-monsoon, with symptoms of wilting, burnt leaves, and vine death.
  4. Economic Impact:
    • Losses reported: From 1.25 quintals of dry pepper in the first year of fruiting, at least 1 quintal was lost due to infections in the following year.
    • Market price: ₹1100 per kg for organic pepper, compared to ₹650 per kg for commercial pepper.

Our Insights

  • Farmers are receptive to novel technologies but emphasize affordability and practicality.
  • There is strong trust in CPCRI as a knowledge source; collaboration with such institutes can boost adoption.
  • Farmers value broad-spectrum protection but are open to combinations that add targeted disease management.
  • Concerns about pathogen mutation can be addressed by targeting conserved genes responsible for virulence.

Peruvayi, Kerala

16th August 2025

Peruvayi, Kerala

Our stop at Peruvayi was unplanned, yet instrumental in our journey. A farmer not engaged in commercial cultivation shared something truly profound. Pepper, he said, thrives best on trees softened by films of fungi and algae. To him, resilience was not born out of constant intervention, but out of harmony with the world around it. He spoke of wild peppers that stood firm against infection, reminding us that nature often carries its own hidden safeguards, waiting to be noticed.

Key Observations

  1. Habitat:
    • Pepper vines often grow on trees with fungal or algal growth on the bark.
    • Farmers perceive this microbial layer as a nutrient-enabling surface for pepper vines.
    • Areca nut trees without visible fungal/algal growth, having light brown or white bark, are less likely to support pepper vines compared to those with a dark, blackish biofilm.
  2. Farmer’s Approach:
    • Main crop: Areca nut.
    • No intentional pepper cultivation due to:
      • Tree characteristics: The majority of Areca nut trees do not support pepper.
      • Non-commercial mindset: Farmer allows natural growth without optimising for pepper yield.
    • Reported yield: Approximately 1 quintal of pepper yield from 5 acres of farmland, without active management.
  3. Pepper Varieties Observed:
    • Panniyur (cultivated hybrid).
    • Karimunda (traditional variety).
    • Unnamed wild pepper variety:
      • Noted for disease resistance.
      • Roots are often used as grafting stock to confer resistance to other pepper cultivars.

Our Insights

  • Farmers with a non-commercial focus may still provide valuable ecological insights.
  • Observations on natural associations (bark biofilm, wild pepper) can inform nature-inspired interventions.
  • Practices like grafting onto resistant wild pepper roots are widely recognised, highlighting shared farmer knowledge systems.

Kalasa Farms

24th August 2025

Kalasa Farms

From Peruvayi’s gentle reminder about living in harmony with nature, we walked to Kalasa Farms in Karnataka. The air felt different there; it had a sense of order instead of randomness. The pepper vines grew tall in neat rows. Their growth came from careful schedules and regular attention. The farmers spoke about their routines with pride and fatigue, as if caught in a never-ending dance. This was very different from Peruvayi’s natural resilience. While one farmer depended on the forest to nurture his vines, the growers here relied on discipline and hard work. As we walked through Kalasa, we began to wonder if our efforts could help them find a gentler rhythm to ease the burden of constant labor.

Key Observations

  1. Major diseases/pests reported:
    • Scales and strips (insect issues)
    • Quick wilt and slow wilt (Phytophthora-related root rots)
    • Anthracnose (brown leaf spots)
    • Black rot affecting peppercorns
  2. Current practices:
    • Heavy reliance on fungicides and systemic insecticides.
    • The spraying cycle is every 45 to 60 days, based on severity and rainfall.
    • Root drenching (3 to 4 liters per large vine, 1 to 2 liters per small vine) with systemic/contact fungicides for quick/slow wilt.
    • Preventive use of copper oxychloride (COC), humic acid, and micronutrients at the start of the monsoon (June).
    • Bordeaux mixture (copper sulfate + lime) sprayed in June, repeated after about 45 days if symptoms return.
  3. Chemical details mentioned:
    • Fungicides containing hexaconazole, propiconazole, metalaxyl, and mancozeb are commonly recommended.
    • COC costs about ₹300 per ½ kg packet (cheaper than systemic fungicides).
    • Farmers depend heavily on company representatives (e.g., Bayer) for guidance.
  4. Cultural practices:
    • Planting usually happens in May (before monsoon) or in September if irrigation is available.
    • Propagation occurs through cutting runners, not grafting.
    • Waterlogging during the monsoon is a significant problem; it prevents spraying or drenching during heavy rainfall.
  5. Effectiveness:
    • Farmers find that using fungicides and drenching is effective, but the return of slow wilt after rains remains a constant challenge.
  6. Perspective on alternatives:
    • They are open to new methods, including Trichoderma and synthetic biology-based approaches.
    • They expressed a willingness to try innovations since pepper cultivation requires constant adjustments in areas with heavy rainfall (150 to 180 inches annually).

Our Insights

  • Current control methods rely heavily on expensive chemicals that require frequent application, creating economic and environmental challenges.
  • Farmers often lack detailed knowledge about chemical compositions and turn to external advisors or companies, which may skew their choices toward market products rather than sustainable options.
  • Waterlogging and high rainfall compromise the effectiveness of current treatments, underlining the need for solutions that are effective in wet conditions and less reliant on spraying schedules.
  • While copper-based fungicides (Bordeaux mixture, COC) remain popular due to their low cost, their short protection window (45 days) necessitates repeated use.
  • Farmers are receptive to synthetic biology-based and biological solutions, particularly if these can lower chemical use and perform well in wet conditions.
  • Our approach should address both the repeated occurrence of diseases in rainy climates and the cost factor, matching the farmers' readiness to explore sustainable innovations.

Chervatur, Kerala

28th August 2025

Chervatur, Kerala

That question stayed with us in Chervatur, Kerala, the last stop on our trip. The rains had influenced everything here: the soil, the vines, and even how people spoke about their crops. The farmers shared their stories with quiet strength. They understood the challenges but never gave in to defeat. What touched us most was their willingness to explore new paths and accept ideas that could ease old struggles. Standing among those rain-soaked vines, it felt like our journey had come full circle.

Key Observations

  1. Cultivate diverse crops: black pepper, nutmeg, arecanut, mosambi, passion fruit, cottonwood, rambutan, cocoa, etc.
  2. Pepper vines supported on mosambi, mango, arecanut, jackfruit, and cottonwood trees.
    • Branched trees (jackfruit, mango) support longer, healthier vine growth.
    • Unbranched trees (arecanut) cause vines to slip as they grow taller.
  3. Pepper is also grown as a side crop in rubber plantations, with PVC pipes used as supports.
  4. He has not faced pepper foot rot in his small-scale garden, but acknowledged that it is a problem in larger plantations.

Our Insights

  • Host tree choice and support structures significantly influence vine growth and productivity.
  • Disease impact differs by scale: small gardens may escape severe infections, but larger plantations remain vulnerable.
  • Farmers like him are open to synthetic biology solutions, seeing them as promising alternatives to chemical treatments.
  • This openness highlights the importance of presenting our approach as a safe, sustainable, and practical replacement for existing chemical methods.

With hearts full of these voices, we turned next to the wider community, carrying the stories of farmers into a survey that let us listen to those beyond the plantations - the people whose lives, too, are tied in unseen ways to the future of pepper. While farmers gave us the heartbeat of the problem, the survey revealed how it echoed among the general public: what they knew of pepper’s struggles, how they felt about chemical use in agriculture, and whether they would trust new approaches like synthetic biology.

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The responses, shown as infographics, offered a broader perspective. They uncovered the worries of pepper growers and the expectations of those who use the spice. Together, these views emphasized that our solution needs to satisfy both the growers and the consumers who depend on their product. Ultimately, our study of pepper taught us that the real value of science extends beyond just yield. It is seen in the trust it creates, the voices it includes, and the balance it maintains between people and the environment they cherish.

Conclusion

Our team is dedicated to engaging with and learning from every possible source, including farmers, researchers, industry experts, and the general public. Throughout our iGEM journey, our human practices efforts have provided imperative insights, proving to be crucial for the direction our project has taken. Together, we not only refined our own project and solution but also gathered valuable insights that could assist other researchers and future iGEM teams. With their feedback, our project strives to equip farmers with the tools and knowledge to shape a sustainable future for agriculture.