Genomics of Biotic Stress Tolerance in Small Cardamom

Cardamom is an important spice crop, and its productivity is being highly influenced by various biotic stresses including viruses, bacteria, fungi, phytoplasma, nematodes and insects, some of which cause significant yield loss. The complete genetic information for cardamom is lacking but the availability of genetic information for a few cardamom-infecting pathogens, the differentially expressed mRNAs and miRNAs of cardamom with respect to various pathogens has improved our knowledge towards understanding the pathogen-plant interactions and facilitates the crop improvement for biotic stress resistance. A continuous genomics study against cardamom-infecting pathogens and otherorganisms is necessary to identify new genes that can provide resistance against pathogens. This chapter presents the genetic diversity of cardamom, the genotyping of cardamom pathogens and further deals with the identification of various genes through transcriptomic, proteomic and metabolomic means for the development of biotic stress-resistant cardamom.