2. B.N :Elettaria cardamomum
Family : Zingiberaceae
Natural Order: scitaminae
C.N : 2n = 48 (X=12).
The genus name is derived from tamil root Elettari, meaning
cardamom seeds.
OTHER NAMES OF CARDAMOM:
Hindi : Chhoti elaichi, Kannada : Yelakki, Malayalam : Elathari
Sanskrit : Ela, Tamil : Yelakkai or Elakkai, Telugu : Yealak-Kayulu or Elakkayi
Crop introduction
3. Cardamom is indigenous to the evergreen rainforests of Western
Ghats of southern India from where it spread to some other
tropical countries such as Sri lanka, Tanzania and a few Central
American countries.
Cardamom is known to have been used in India since ancient times
i.e, from 3000 B.C.
Both the Charaka samhita and Susrutha samhita mention about
cardamom.
It was also mentioned that the ancient king of Babylon (721–701
BC) grew cardamom among other herbs in his garden.
4. Linschoten, in his Journal of Indian Travels (1596), also
describes two forms of cardamom used in South India.
But Only at the beginning of the nineteenth century plantations
were established for cardamom cultivation, and even then they
were only a secondary crop in coffee plantations.
The system of collecting cardamom from naturally growing
plants continued until at least 1803 but, in later years, as
demand increased large-scale organized cultivation began in
India and Sri Lanka (Ridley, 1912). An example of this is the
government of Travancore, India, who took up active
cultivation of cardamom in 1823.
5. The major cardamom-producing countries besides India
are Guatemala, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Tanzania and
Cambodia.
In India the Cardamom is cultivated in Kerala, Karnataka
and Tamilnadu.
In Kerala : Idukki, Wayanad and kottayam.
In Karnataka : Coorg, Chikmaglore, Hassan and Uttara
Kannada district.
In Tamilnad : palany, Nilagiris and kodai hills.
In the world guatemala was the leading producer of
cardamom which accounts 90% of world production.
6. Area and production
In India:
Area : 69330ha
Production : 20640tons
Productivity : 181kg/ha
State wise:
Export : Quantity = 5680Mton
valve = 60908.15lakhs
Import : quantity = 865ton
valve = 4378lakhs
(spice board annual report:2017-18 estimate)
States Area (ha) Production(ton) Productivity
(kg/ha)
Kerala 39080 18350 470
Karnataka 25135 1450 57
Tamilnadu 5115 850 166
7. Major component of essential oil is 1,8-cineole(36.3%) and Alpha-
terpinyl acetate(31.3%) and followed by Sabinene ,borneol, limonene
are other components.
volatile oil =5.5-10%- 8.2%
Protein = 7-14%
starch = 39 – 49.9%
Vit A = 175 IU/100gm
8. Cardamom is used in three forms viz., whole, decorticated seeds and
ground.
Mainly as flavoring agent : flavoring of various preparations of
confectionary, beverages and liquors
Extraction of essential oils and oleoresins which are used in
of cordials and preparation of chewing gums, perfumery, and in
cosmetics.
Gahwa preparation:Arab coffee prepared in Middle East.
n the middle east, cardamom is widely considered as an
aphrodisiac.
Scandinavians still use cardamom to spice their “Danish pastry”
and other deserts as well as meatballs.
9. In medicine :
Cardamom is a good stimulant(cardiac stimulant), carminative,
stomachic, diuretic, antiemitic.
Cardamom seeds are chewed to prevent bad smell in mouth and to
prevent pyrosis.
Cardamom with honey is reported to improve eye site, strengthen
nervous system.
Cardamom is an essential ingredient of digestive stimulants and is
used in medicinal preparations for indigestion and flatulence.
The terpenoid constituents are responsible for the antifungal and
antifungal and antibacterial effects.
The flavour components also showed antibacterial effects against
against several food-born microorganisms(Kubo et al.)
12. An herbaceous perennial plant may measure about 2-4meters in ht.
The real stem of the plant is underground rhizome.
The aerial pseudo stem(light green or reddish purple in colour) is made up of
leaf sheaths.
Side shoots produced from underground rhizome are called suckers( which are
produced 18 MAP and maxmimum during june july.
Leaves are 35cm long and 7-10cm wide, lanceolate, oblong or ovate in shape
with short petioles, dark green either glabrous or pubescent soft velvety
undersurface.
13. Inflorescence : long panicle(may be branched or simple) with recemose
clusters arising from the underground stem. The peak period of panicle
emergence is from Nov-Mar.
Flowers are bisexual irregular, small, pale white fragrant, alternate,short
stalked.
Solitary at each point of recemes.
Flowers open in succession from the base to the top. Normally, flowering in
cardamom is seen throughout the year on panicles produced during the
current year, as well as on panicles produced during the previous year. The
peak flowering is spread over a period of six months between May and
October but june-july peak flowering season. The time required from
flower/bud initiation to full bloom stage ranges from 26 to 34 days. Capsule
development takes about 110–120 days from the full bloom stage
14. Pollination:
Cross pollinated crop
Stigma is positioned above the anther.
Protandry nature.
pollinated by Honey bee and about 4-5 bee hives per ha of plantation
is adequate for bringing about satisfactory pollination.
Cardamom flowers remain open for 15-18hrs and stigma receptivity( 8 –
10 AM) and pollen viability(5:30 – 6:30 AM) are maximum during morning
hours.
Fruit : The fruit is capsule(pale green in colour), roughly trianglur in shape
dehisces into 3 papery valves. Each capsule contains 15-20 seeds, black
when fully ripe and in capsule they are covered with white mucilaginous
coat. The extent of fruit set is highest when the atmospheric humudity
is very high in the cardamom tract and setting is scanty in summer
months even under irrigated conditions.
16. Indian Cardamom Research Institute, Myladumpara,
Idukky District(under SPICES Board)
Regional research stations :
1. Sakleshpur(KA)
2. Gangtok(sikkim)
Cardamom Research Center, Appangala [KA] (under
IISR)
Cardamom Research Station, Pampadampura (under
KAU Kerala).
Zonal Agriculture & Horticultural Research Station,
Mudigere.
17. Cultivar Malabar Cultivar Mysore
Cultivar Vazhukka
CULTIVARS OF CARDAMOM
1. Eletteria cardamom var major
2. Eletteria cardamom var minor
18. Parameters Cultivar Malabar Cultivar Mysore Cultivar Vazhukka
1. Stature medium size and attain
2-3m height
robust and attain 3-4m
in height.
plants are robust like
Cv. Mysore
2. Leaf Dorsal side may be
pubescent or
glabrous
Glabrous on both sides Glabrous on both sides
3. Petiole short Long long
4. Panicle prostate erect Semi erect
5. Capsule oblong with
pale/golden yellow
colour upon
maturity
Ovoid or bold with
green colour
Oblong/ovoid with
green colour
6.Bearing Early Late Late
7. Adoptability lower elevation (600-
1000m
from MSL)
Higher elevations (900-
1200m from MSL)
same as mysore type
8.Tolerance to drought It thrives well in low
rainfall areas
Well distributed rainfall Well distributed
rainfall.
19. Germplasm holdings of cardamom in India.
Centre Cultivated Germplasm Wild and related Taxa
IISR Regional station,
Appangala(KA)
314 13
ICRI, Myladumpara 600 12
CRC, Pampadumpara 72 15
ZAHRS, Mudigere 236 7
20. Morphological variations in cardamom:
Plant growth Robust/moderate/dwarf
Pseudostem Red pigmentation/green
Leaf shape Oblong/lanceolate/ovate
Leaf pubescence Pubescent/glabrous
Leaf breadth Narrow
Ligule colour Red tinted green
21. Inflorescence
Capsules
Place of origin Basal/both and terminal
Panicle type Prostrate/erect/semi-srect
Panicle branching Multibranched/compound panicle
Panicle length Long/short
Internodal length Short/long
Capsules/raceme 2-6
Shape Round/oval/elongate
Size Bold/medium/small
colour Golden yellow/pale green/dark green
at maturity
22. Breeding objectives:
Variety should be high yield potential of above 450 kg/ha.
Higher seed to husk ratio
Highest dry capsule recovery percentage ≥22%
Product of higher quality i.e high percentage of essential oil
Bold capsule &more number of seeds,12-15seeds/capsule in
small cardamom.
Should be resistant to pests & diseases.
Should be resistant to Abiotic stresses primarily drought
Developing location specific varieties
23. No.
Selection /
varieties
Cultivar Special distinguishing characteristics
Area of
adaptability
Source
1 ICRI 1 Malabar
An early maturing profusely flowering
variety, medium sized panicle with
globose extra bold dark green
coloured capsules. Yield of 656kg/ha.
Essential oil of 8.3%
South Idduki zone
of Kerala, where
the rainfall is
well distributed
ICRI , south zone
of idukki
2 ICRI 2 Mysore
Performs well under irrigated
conditions. Suitable for higher
altitude. It has medium long panicles
oblong bold and parrot green capsules
(Tolerant to Azhukal diseases)yield of
766kg
Vandanmedu and
Nelliampathy of
Kerala and
Annamalai and
Meghamalai of
Tamil Nadu
-do-
3 ICRI 3 Malabar
Early maturing type, non-pubescent
leaves, oblong bold, parrot green
capsules. It is tolerant to rhizome rot
disease.yield 599 kg
Cardamom
growing tract of
Karnataka
Regional Station,
ICRI, Saklespur,
Karnataka
24. 4 TDK-4 Malabar
Any early maturing variety
adaptable to low rainfall area.
Medium size panicle, globose
bold parrot green capsules. Non
pubescent leaves
Adapted to lower
Pulney hills of Tamil
Nadu. Suitable for
low rainfall area
(1500mm) and
having similar agro
ecological
conditions
Regional Station,
ICRI,
Thandiankudisal,
Tamil Nadu
5 TDK-11 Malabar
An early maturing variety. Long
panicle, oblong bold and parrot
green capsules
Adapted to less
rainfall conditions of
lower Palney hills of
Tamil Nadu
-do-
6 PV-1 Malabar
An early maturity variety with
slightly ribbed light green
capsules, Short panicle, Close
racemes , narrowly ellipsoid to
elongate capsules
All cardamom
growing tracts of
Kerala and parts of
Tamil Nadu
Cardamom
Research Station,
Kerala
Agricultural
University,
Pampadumpara,
Kerala
25. 7
CCS-1
(IISR suvasini)
Malabar
An early maturing variety
suitable for high density
planting, long panicle, oblong
bold, parrot green capsules
All cardamom
growing tracts of
Karnataka and
Wayanad of
Kerala
Indian Institute
of Spices
Research, (ICAR)
Appangla,
Karnataka
8 Mudigere1 Malabar
Compact plant, suitable for high
density planting. Tolerant to
hairy caterpillars and white
grubs.yield 275 kg Tolerant to
thrips and shoot hole borer.
Pubescent leaves
In the traditional
cardamom
growing Malanad
areas of
Karnataka
Suits for HDP
Regional Research
Station,
University of
Agricultural
Sciences,
Mudigere,
Karnataka
9
NCC-200
(Njallani)
Vazhukka
Non pubescent, semi erect,
globose extra bold and dark
green capsules. Dry capsule
yield of 1000kg
Suitable to Kerala
tracts
Private nurseries
in Idduki district
of Kerala
10 MCC-12 Vazhukka
Semi erect, globose extra bold
and dark deep green
capsules and suitable under
sparse shade conditions
Oblong capsules
suitable under
sparse shade
condition of
Kerala
ICRI,
Myladumpara,
Idduki, Kerala
26. 11 MCC-16 Vazhukka
Profusely branched compound
and semi erect panicle.
Globose green capsules.
Recommended for irrigated or
swampy area
Adaptable to
Kadamkuzhy and
Udumbanchola
zones of Kerala
-do-
12 MCC-40 Malabar
An early bearing variety,
globose bold and green
capsules
Suitable to all
cardamom
growing tracts of
Kerala
IISR Cardamom
Research Centre,
Appangala,
Karnataka
13
RR-1
(IISR Avinash)
Malabar
Resistant to rhizome rot
disease. Suited for hot spots of
rhizome rot and leaf blight
disease. High quality elongated
capsules and is suitable for
high density planting. High
yielding variety (848 kg (dry
capsules)/ha)
Kodagu, North
Wayanad, Hassan
and Chikmagalur
IISR Cardamom
Research Centre,
Appangala,
Karnataka
14 Mudigere-2 Malabar
Suited for cultivation in valleys
in Karnataka ,yields 475 kg
Cardamom
growing tracts of
Karnataka
Regional Research
Station, Mudigere
27. 16 Vander cardamom Plants are vigorous (more
number of tillers & panicle),
capsules are extra bold
,deep green in colour
By sabuburgis of
idukki district
17 Appangala 1 Monocropping ,early
maturing, intensive
cultivation
IISR,RS appangala Malabar type
18 Appangala 2 Resistent to katte disease,
yield of 927 kg
-do- Malabar type Wynad regions,
all parts of kar
19 ICRI -4 Suits for low region ,yields
961kg
Myladampura Malabar type Palani hills
20 ICRI-5 Hybrid with high essential oil
content . 1543kg yield
-do- Malabar type For kerala & TN
21 ICRI -6 Tolerant to drought, thrips,
borer, yield of 1900 kg
-do- Malabar type Kerala & TN
22 PV-2 Green bold capsule, yield of
982kg
KAU Vazukka type Idukki hills
23 Mudigere -3 Tolerant to thrips and borer
,yields 400kg
ZAHRS,mudigere Malabar type Karnataka
28. Malabar type, A selection from open pollinated progeny of CL-37
.Highly adapted and produces 89% bold (7.2 mm and above)
capsules. Tolerant to thrips and capsule borer. Potential yield
1322 kg dry capsules/ha.dry recovery is 22%
Kodagu cardamom
suvasini(CCS-1)
Malabar type, monocropping,early maturing
variety, intensive cultivtion , 1322 kg dry
capsules/ha; 89% bold capsules
Appangala 1
29. Appangala -2
First Katte resistant hybrid of cardamom.
Appangala 1 x NKE 19. yield of 927kg
prominent farmer selections
Palakkudy
30. Rhizome rot resistant, malabar . high yielder and
suitable for planting in valleys. Produces bold, dark
green capsules. (Potential yield 1483 kg dry
capsules/ha).
Cardamom mosaic virus resistant (Katte) selection,
vazzukan ,recommended for moderate to high shaded,
mosaic disease prone areas. (Potential yield 979 kg
dry capsules
IISR AVINASH
IISR VIJETHA
31. By B.M.Dushyanthakumar, S.Gangaprasad
,M.Narayanaswammy and C.R.Ravishankar(2011)
Zonal Agricultural Research Station (ZARS) Mudigere
investigation was to identify and evaluate the promising small
cardamom variety Mc-3 for hill zone of Karnataka.
Mc-3 (Clone 692) was one of the 80 clones selected in different
experimental and bulk cardamom plots of ZARS, Mudigere on the
basis of yield and tested over the years for high performance by
using M-1 and M-2 as checks.
32. Concluded that, variety Mc-3 is ideal for cultivation in
the hill zone/region of Karnataka with high dry
capsule yield, tolerance to pest and disease, more
number of bearing suckers per clump, panicles per
clump, nodes per panicle, flowers per node, better
panicle length, less internodal length, capsule length
and breadth, tolerance to pest and diseases
compared to check varieties and hence, new small
cardamom variety Mc-3 would be suitable under high
elevation and high rain fall areas in the hill zone of
Karnataka
33. The most popular and widely cultivated farmer variety is Njallani green
gold which has very high yield potential and good quality characters.
Others prominent farmer selections are:
1. Palakkudy,
2. Panikulangara -1 & 2
3. Vally green bold
4. Elarani
5. PNS Vaigai
6. cardamom Vander
7. Kalarickal white cardamom
8. Krishna and gayathri
35. Altitude: 600 to 1200 m above MSL
Annual rainfall: 1500 to 4000 mm
Temperature: 10 to 35°C.
Soil type preferred: Forest loamy soils.
Soil pH: 4.2 to 6.8, generally acidic in nature
Soil nutrient status: High in organic matter and nitrogen, low to
medium in available phosphorus and medium to high in available
potassium.
Water logging and excessive soil moisture conditions are
detrimental.
Shade =50-60%
Slope of 5-10%
37. Seed selection:
Seeds should be collected from high yielding vigorous plant with 8-12 yrs old
and has well formed compact panicles and well ripened capsules . And the
mother clump should have more number of tillers per plant, leaves with dark
green colour and high percentage of fruit set.
Such mother plants are selected and seeds collected in sept- oct
Seed rate:1 kg capsule /ha
1 kg capsule =3000-5000 seedling
Seed preparation:
Soak in water to remove mucilage substance and shade dried for 2-9 days
Storage of seed is not advisable.
September sowing shows high Germination (71.8%)
600gm of seeds are sufficient to raise seedslings for 1ha area.
38. Pre-sowing Seed treatment
(source- cardamom by P N Ravindran)
Treatment of seeds with 20% nitric acid for 10 min is the best for
enhancing germination in case of var. malabar .
Apart from other factors, ambient temperature also plays a role in
germination (low winter temperature in the cardamom growing areas
reduces the germination and also delays it.)
Acid Treatment duration Germination
%(increase)
Conc.Nitric acid 5 min 9
20% nitric acid 10 min 97.6
25% acetic acid
25%HCl
10 min
10min
98.6
91.5
GA 100 ppm+planofix 75
ppm
- Increase
39. Primary nursery
Raised Beds of 6×1×0.15m are prepared
Line sowing with not more than 1 cm depth.
Spacing :15×1-2 cm
Beds are covered with thin layer of sand or soil and thin
mulch is given.( influence germination).
Germination =20-25 days and continue for 1-2 month(now
remove the mulch)
Water twice a day
At 6-leaf stage go for thinning.
40. Secondary nursery
Seedlings of three to four leaf stage(6 months old
seedlings) from the primary nursery beds can be
transplanted in the secondary nursery at a spacing of
20 x 20cm.
And provide overhead shade(if it grown outside)
OR
Black HDP bags of 20 x 20 cm size and thickness of
100 gauge with 3 to 4 holes at the bottom can also be
used for this purpose.
Fill the bags with potting mixture in the ratio of 3:1:1
jungle top soil, cow dung and sand.
Adequate space in between the bags may be provided
for better tillering.
10-18 months old seedlings can be used for field
transplanting during the last week of may or first
week of June .
41. The advantages of raising seedling in polybags are:
1. Seedlings of uniform growth and tillering can be obtained.
2. Better establishment and growth of seedlings in the main field.
3. Nursery period can be reduced to 5-6 month ,as against 10-12 month
in secondary nursery
42.
43. Advantages of seed propagation.
fear of spread of Katte disease through rhizomes.
Continuous vegetative propagation leads to poor seed set, as the
cardamom is self-sterile and so to avoid this, seed propagation is
adopted.
Seedlings are long-lived
Disadvantages.
Heterogeneous since cross pollinated
Average yield is generally low (only 35% of plants are good
yielders in a plantation raised from seedlings.)
The difficulty in raising the seedlings,
Variation in the progeny, delay 1 year to bearing ,
Time and labour consuming and finally expensive
44. Elite clones can be used
Bears earlier than seedling
Avoid suckers from katte disease and other virus
infected area
ensures true to type plantlets
The rhizome with 1 old and 1 young shoot is called as
planting unit.
45. It is standardized @ IISR Regional research station, Appangala.
Method :
Nursery site should be selected on a gentle slope and near water source.
Healthy planting material is selected
Trenches :-60 cm width , 45 cm depth , convinent length are prepared and 60
cm is maintained b/w two trenches.
Spacing :1.8×0.6 m which accomodating 6800plants/ha of clonal nursery area.
Provide overhead shade and water the plants regularly.
Applay fertilizers @ the rate of 48:48:96gm NPK/pt in two splits.
Avg. 32-42 suckers produced after 12 month of planting/ planting unit.
From 1ha area about 1-1.4 lakh planting units can be produced.
46. First micropropagation among spice was done in
cardamom but costly
Cost effective commercial micro propagation
technology developed at ICRI, Spices Board.
The approaches used were
(1) Through callusing,
(2) Through adventitious bud formation
(3) Through enhanced axillary branching.
47. Young sprouting tillers of 8 to 10 cm length were found as
the best explants for tissue culture of small cardamom.
Collection of explants between March to May is ideal.
Various media formulations were tested such as LS (1965),
Gamborg et al. (B5) (1968), MS (1962), KC (1946) and SH
(1972). Media were supplemented with various growth
regulators such as BAP, KN, IAA etc.
Coconut milk was added to every combination tested.
Growth factors D-Biotin and calcium pantothenate also were
added @ 0.1 mg/I.
48. Cardamom is a pseophyte, it requires filtered light of 50-60 percent for
better growth and yield.
Ideal charactersticts:
Spreading branching pattern and small leaves are ideal
Wide canopy so that number of shade trees in unit area is minimum
No shedding of leaves during flowering phase so that pollination is not
affected.
Medium size and evergreen in nature retaining their foliage throughout the
year.
Should have deep root system to avoid competition with cardamom for
surface feeding
49. Some of the good shade trees suited are Vernonia arborea
(Karana), Cedrella toona (Red ceder), Cassia fistula
(Kanikonna), Diospyros malabaricum (Vellakil), Terminalia
tomentosa (fhempavu), Hopea pannflora (Thambakam),
Acrocarpus [raxinifolius (Balangi), Mesopsis eminii (Elangi)
and Artocarpus integrifolia (jack).
Protection from sunlight by maintaining an overhead tree
shade is essential for cardamom in the initial stages of
growth to enhance tillering.
Spacing : permanent shade tree=20×20 m
temporary shade tree =6×6 m
50. 18 month old seedling transplanted and 50-60% shade is
maintained
Trench method of planting[60×30 cm] is preferred because of
great moisture retention
Best season: june- july
Depth : 15-20cm and planted in a acute angle for promoting
shoot production
Spacing : depends on cultivar, soil fertility, irrigation, slope
1.8×1.8 m or 2×2m = malabar (kar) {2500-3000
plants/ha}
2.4×2.4m= vazukka {1736 plants/ha}
3×3 m= mysore {1111plants/ha}
51. Mulch during Nov-Dec
Exposing the panicle over mulch is beneficial for bee
pollination
mulching done during may after pre monsoon
Forking the plant base to a distance up to 90 cm and to a
depth of 9-12 cm is found to enhance root proliferation
and better growth of plants.
52. 2-3 weeding /year since it is a surface feeder
First weeding may-june, second weeding august- September, third during dec-
jan.
Slashing of weeds carried out to prevent soil erosion in sloppy area
Use of spade for weeding is to be avoided as it will loosen the soil
and cause soil erosion.
Weedicide like paraquat @625 ml in 500 litre of water sprayed in interspace
between rows leaving 60cm around plant base
Siddagangaiah et al, reported that sickle weeding in may followed by forking and mulching
in October and January resulted in highest numbers of young tillers, mature tillers and
panicles, best soil moisture status and higher yield(270kg/ha compared to untreated
control which yields 160kg/ha)
53. D) Trashing:
removing old tillers and dry leaves and leaf sheaths after
completion of the final harvest.
This operation may be carried out once in a year in rainfed
condition and twice in irrigated and HDP .
E) Earthing up:
Earthing up with top soil is recommended during oct-Dec
only top soil is used, and evenly spread, covering only half the
bulb portion of the rhizome.
helps to keep the top 10 to 15 cm soil loose and friable enabling
easy root penetration and water percolation.
54. The honeybees Apis cerana, A indica and Apis dorsata are
the major pollinators(90% pollination).
Fruit setting increases in bee-pollinated flower
Bees start foraging in morning hours and it is high between
7 a.m. and 11 a.m.
During misty days, the forage is delayed for an hour or two.
A bee usually visits all flowers in a clump and crawl over the
anther and stigma.
During this process it carries anther from one flower and a
part of it gets deposited on the stigma of another flower.
55. Yield declines after 8-10 years based on soil fertility and
management. In order to maintain higher productivity
replanting once in 8-10 years is ideal or replanting may be
decided once yield level reduces.
56. Cardamom is generally grown as a rain-fed crop, and the cardamom
tracts of India experience a dry spell of about 5–6 months.
Since cardamom is a shallow-rooted crop, the moisture in the root zone
is maintained by irrigating the crop from January to May (Sivanappan,
1985).
Judicious irrigation during peak dry months (February to April) ensures
increased yield. This is the period when development of young tillers and
elongation of panicle take place.
methods: pot irrigation, hose irrigation, sprinkler irrigation and drip
irrigation
Pot irrigation or hose irrigation, 20-30 lit per clump
Sprinkler irrigation, equivalent to 4 cm rainfall at every 12–15 days,
would be quite sufficient for cardamom crop (John and Mathew, 1977;
Saleem, 1978).
57. Daily drip irrigation, at 8 L per plant from 15 January,
recorded a significantly higher yield and it was followed by
sprinkler irrigation once every 12 days (IISR, 2004).
Although cardamom requires high moisture levels, it is
sensitive to a high water table and the resultant waterlogged
situations
58. Top soil along with nutrients or eroded as a result soils are
becoming acidic.
Before application of fertilizers soil ph as to be corrected by
adding lime based on the soil test.
Once in every two years 2 to 3 tonnes of lime/ha as to be
applied during April-May.
Agricultural lime and dolomite lime are commonly used
59. From first week of June panicles are exposed by lifting
them above the layer of mulch to facilitate the visiting of
bees for pollination.
This operation has to be followed 2 to 3 times in a cropping
period.
60. 1.Cardamom- Arecanut cropping system
Arecanut was planted at 2.7 x 2.7m spacing and cardamom
(Malabar type) was introduced between rows of arecanut at
spacing of 2.7 x 1.2m.
61. 2.Cardamom –coconut cropping system
coconut was planted at the spacing of 7.5 x 7.5m and
cardamom was introduced at a spscing of 1.5 x 1.5m.
3. Cardamom – coffee cropping system
not much economical.
62. Cardamom when introduced as a single hedge by trimming
the side branches of alternate rows of coffee, recorded an
yield of 204.83 kg/ha.
Black pepper vines trained on live standards of shade trees
yielded 1222.15 kg/ha.
Mandarin was severely infested with greening disease and
there was no appreciable yield.
The present study showed that cardamom and black
pepper which are high value crops can be ideal substitute
crops for mandarin in coffee estates to increase
production and productivity.
63. Five to six visits by bees are required for getting full seed set.
At least four bee colonies (hives) / ha to are needed to enhance pollination and fruit
set. Increase in yield up to nine % could be obtained by keeping bee hives.
Flower opening in cardamom is maximum between 5 a.m. and 7 a.m.
Stigma receptivity and pollen viability are maximum during morning hours.
Pollination is Below 18-20% if there are no honey bee
64. Application of organic manures such as Neem cake (@ 1 Kg /plant) or Poultry
manure/Farmyard manure/Cowdung Compost (@ 5 Kg/plant) may be made once
in an year, during May/June along with muriate of potash (90 g/plant).
RDF ; 75:75:150 kg/NPK/ ha.in rainfed condition
125:125:250 kg/NPK/ha in irrigated condition
Cardamom is a surface feeder. Roots are generally confined to surface soil
and nearly 70% of roots are with in 5 cm depth. Therefore fertilizer is to be
applied in circular bands of 15 cm width leaving a distance of 30 cm from plant
base.
First application during May-June helps production of suckers and
development of capsules and second application during SeptemberOctober
helps initiation of panicles and suckers.
65. Age of Plant Rainfed areas (Kg/ha)
Irrigated areas
(Kg/ha)
1st year of planting
Nitrogen-25 Phosphorus- 25
Potassium-50
(2 split application)
Nitrogen - 25 Phosphorus- 25
Potassium - 50
(2 Split application)
2nd year of planting
Nitrogen-40 Phosphorus - 40
Potassium -80
(2 split application)
Nitrogen - 60
Phosphorus - 60
Potassium – 80
(3 split applications)
3rd year of planting
Nitrogen- 75 Phosphorus - 75
Potassium-150
(2 split application)
Nitrogen - 125 Phosphorus-125
Potassium-250
(3 split application)
Soil application:
66. Nitrogen: Yellowing of older leaves, reduction in leaf size and sucker
production and drying of new suckers.
Phosphorous: Purplish spots, premature falling of older leaves, stunted
plant growth, reduced number of suckers and roots.
Potash: Browning of leaf tips, whole leaf turned dark brown, no new
sucker production, reduction in root and shoot growth.
Calcium: Leaves become brittle, reduction in size, no new growth of
aerial shoots, root and shoot growth restricted, bulky appearance.
Magnesium: Tip drying, twisting of stunts, root and shoot growth
affected, vein clearing and Yellowing of leaves.
67. Exogenous application of NAA (40 ppm) or 2,4-D (4 ppm) increased
plant height and panicle production.
spraying of NAA (25 ppm) twice (June and July) reduced fruit
drop and increased fruit set.
Application of ethrel (250 ppm) under high light intensity doubled
sucker production.
68. 1. Thrips: Sciothrips cardamomi
•It is persistent pest, directly damage the capsule and
inflorescence.
•Mysore and vazukka types are highly susceptible .
•pest generally reside in unopened leaf sheath, bracts, flower
tubes
•Adult damage by lacerating young leaves ,flowers,
inflorescence, young capsule.
•Direct economic damage is 70-100% and more in summer
69. Management:
Regulate shade in thickly shaded areas.
Trashing
Resistant varieties like mudigere 1, CCS-1,ICRI-6
Spraying NSKE, Neem soap , spinosad 0.5%
Spray insecticides like quinalphos 0.025% or Imedachloprid 0.2%
during March, April, May, August and September.
70.
71. Bore into shoot,feeds on internal content that results in hinderance
of uptake of nutrients and water.
This leads to secondary infectin by fungus
Dead heart symptoms
Above ht of infection affected parts become dry,wilt and die
Yield loses upto 70-80%.
Management:
•Trashing
•Neem based insecticide
•Resistant varieties like mudigere 1 and ICRI 6
•Spraying quinalphos 0.075% twice in feb –march and sept- oct
72. Damage symptoms
Root-knot nematode infests cardamom roots.
Common symptoms of attack are narrowing of leaves,
thickening of veins, reduction of internodes length and
consequent appearance of rosette leaves.
Roots branch heavily and galls appear on them.
Plant growth becomes highly stunted
73.
74. Favourable conditions
Loamy light soils
Management:
Avoid light loam soil for cultivation
Soil application with trichoderma viridae
Soil application with phorate
Drenching soil with carbenzin 0.3%
76. Damping off / rhizome rot / clamp rot – Pythium vexans, Fusarium
oxysporum, Rhizoctonia solani, Phytophthora sp.
Severe in nursery .Common in poor drainage area and high rain
fall area . causes 10-60% economic damage
Management
1. Destruction of diseased clumps.
2. Providing proper drainage
3. Changing the nursery site
4. Resistant var: IISR avinash, RR-1
5. Drenching beds with COC 0.25% or BM 0.5%, before 15 days of
sowing.
77. • Major constraint in cardamom production.
• It is endemic observed with onset of
monsoon.
• Cause 40% damage.
• Affected plant start rotting and separation of
leaves from petiole which look like hanging of
shoots.
• Upon decaying capsule gives foul smell and
even capsule drop off.
• Malabar is most susceptible.
78. Management:
1. Removal and burning of infected plants.
2. Avoid moving of rhizomes from diseased areas to healthy area
for planting
3. Provide proper drainage
4. Resistant var like ICRI 2
5. Three sprays with Bordeaux mixture 1% in May, June, July
6. Soil drench with Bordeaux mixture 1 % (or) Copper
oxychloride 0.25%
79. • Slow disease
• Nursery = die early
• At 5th year last for 2-3 years
• Causes losses of 70-100%.
• chlorotic flecks in younger leaves later, these flecks
develop into pale green discontinues strips.
• later mosaic strips extend to stem and fail to grow
further.
Transmitted by aphids pentalonia nigronervosa
Management:
1. Collection and removal of infected clumps along with rhizomes and
burning.
2. Raising of nursery in diseases free areas.
3. Spray with dimethoate (or) Phosphomidon to kill the vector.
4. Var like vijetha ,appangala 2,
80. Symptom
Elongated, water soaked lesions of varying size appear on the
upper surface of the leaf.
The spots becomes brown to dark with pale yellow hole. Leaves
wither and pseudo stem wilts.
New shoots which develop are reduced in size. Flowers fail to
develop.
The inflorescence dry up stating from tip downwards. The
affected garden shows burnt appearance.
81. Management
•Removal and destruction of affected leaves
•Three sprays with carbendazim 0.1% (or) Mancozab
0.2% (or) copper oxychloride 0.25% at 30 days interval.
82. symptoms
Its characteristic symptom “hook- like tiller” it is locally called as
“Kokke Kandu”.
The characteristic symptoms are continuous or discontinuous
intraveinal clearing, stunting, rosetting, loosening of leaf sheath,
shredding of leaves and clear mottling on stem.
Clear light green patches with three shallow grooves are seen on
the immature capsules.
Cracking of fruits and partial sterility of seeds are other associated
symptoms.
83. Survival and spread
Transmitted through cardamom aphid, P. caladii in a semi
persistent manner
Management
•Removal of affected plant parts
•Control of vector by spraying systemic insecticide
84. Nematology Laboratory National Research Centre for Spice, Cardamom
Research Centre, Appangala
the root-knot nematode, Meloidogyne incognita was often present on
plants infected with the virus
Study conducted where the incidence of root-knot nematodes in 'Katte'
infected cardamom plantations in Coorg where the intensity of the
disease has been reported to be higher than in other states
85. Management of viral diseases
Viral diseases are responsible for decline in the production
potential of plantations and pose constant threat for
sustainable production of cardamom.
Use of healthy planting material and exact identification of
pathogens are indispensable components in an integrated
disease management package.
A successful disease management strategy depends on an
early detection of the causal organism in the plants at the
incubation stage.
86. Production and use of virus -free planting material.
Nursery life: The nurseries should be raised in isolated
locations to produce disease free healthy seedlings. The
incubation period of viral diseases varies and hence, it is not
recommended to use the clones obtained from affected
plantations. It is recommended to index the mother stock
with sensitive tools like ELISA or PCR to ascertain the virus-
free status.
87. The viruses survive in the principal or collateral hosts which
might acts as primary sources of inoculums.
Regular tracing of infected plants and subsequent
destruction, removal and destruction of volunteers and
collateral hosts are indispensable in managing viral diseases
of cardamom.
Early detection of the viruses: Early detection of the viruses
using reliable and sensitive techniques like PCR would enable
to identify disease-free healthy plants from which stickers
can be obtained for subsequent propagation.
Use of resistant varieties like IISR-vijetha, Appangala-2
88. Chemical control:
Chemical control measures are considered to be less effective in managing viral
diseases owing to the non-persistent and semi-persistent modes of transmission
of viruses by the vectors.
Spraying recommended insectides after undertaking trashing operation
increases the efficiency of application and manages the vector to a greater
extent.
In an insecticidal trial, katte disease incidence was found to be significantly
higher in the treatments where phorate, dimethoate, phosphamidon,
carbofuran and quinalphos were applied, than the unsprayed treatments
indicating that insecticidal application may not be effective in preventing
spread of the disease, if source of inoculum in maintained in the plantation.
Removal of breeding sites: Periodical removal of senile old parts, which are
the breeding sites for aphids and other collateral hosts like Colocasia and
Caladium effectively reduces the aphid population and checks subsequent
spread of viral diseases.
89. Extracts from several plant species were found to adversely affect
the breeding potential of aphids.
Neem products at O.l % concentration were found to reduce the
population of aphids on cardamom and were lethal to the aphid at
higher concentrations.
Aqueous extracts of Acorus calamus (dried rhizome), Annona
squamosa (seeds) and Lawsonia inermis (leaves) were also found
to reduce the setting percentage of aphids on cardamom leaves.
Essential oil of turmeric acted as repellent against the aphid.
Entomogenous fungi like Beauveria bassiana, Verticil/hun
chlamydosporillm and Paceilamyees lilacinus were reported to be
promising in suppressing aphid population without causing
hyperactivity.
90. Bearing starts 2 year after planting
Satisfactory yield from 5 year on wards
Takes 110 days from flowering to matured
capsules
Optimum stage of harvest is just before full
ripening
Harvesting season August – December and peak
harvest is during October – November, up to
Feb – march for Mysore & Vazhukka types
7-8 rounds of harvest (15-30 days interval)
91. Some points to identify the maturity stage are;
Distinctly developed shoulders of the capsule.
Ripened fruits which turn dark green to light green
Clear cut line in between two segment of the shell.
Triangular deep cut at the point of attachment
Loose attachment of capsule to the panicle.
Change of seed colour to brownish black or black
92. Light picking Hard picking
1. Only the green and mature
capsules.(physiologically matured)
2. This process will naturally give a
lower green capsule per pick.
3. The gap between picking rounds
can be maintained at 20 to 30
days(8-10 picking is possible)
1. Done semi-mature capsules are
also removed.
2. This process reduces curing
percentage and gives green
coloured capsules upon curing.
3. Can be maintained between 30 to
45 days.
% recovery of dry capsules will be 29% in ripened capsules, 24% from physiologically
mature and 14% from immature stage. Hence it is ideal to pick at physiologically
mature stage.
93. Delayed harvesting leads to capsule splitting during processing
Early harvesting makes the capsule shrivelled, shrunken,
misshapen.
Harvesting is the most important operation that requires special
attention of growers.
Proper harvesting will improve the quality and quantity of the
produce.
Yield
Average yield of dry capsules=200-500kg dry capsules.
An healthy mature plant on an average produces annually about 2000
fruits weighing about 900gm which on drying and curing gives about
200gm .
94. pick capsules only at a physiologically mature to fully ripened stage so
as to allow proper development of seed and to obtain higher
recovery.
Over ripening of capsules should be avoided as it results in loss of
capsules due to rodents and squirrels in the field and splitting at the
time of curing, which results in lower market value.
After harvest, washing the capsules with clean water and draining
the water is essential to get good quality dried cardamom.
Storing of harvested capsules is to be avoided.
Drying recovery ;24%
Malabar =superior quality
Mysore = bold capsule
95. Green cardamom: freshly harvested green capsule are treated with 2% sodium
carbonate for 10 min, later dried to fix available green colour.have good market
value but poor in keeping quality.
Bleached cardamom: bleaching is done by exposing the dried capsules to SO2
produced by burning sulphur or capsule are treated with 20% KMS solution
containing 1% hydrogen peroxide for 1 hour. Later dried in sunlight for getting
golden colour capsules which results in poor quality but keeping quality is good.
96. curing is a process in which the
moisture reduced from 80% to 10-
12% at temperature of 50o C so as
to retain green colour to the
maximum extent.
There are mainly two types of
drying…
Natural (sun drying) and
Artificial drying by using fire wood
(traditional flue pipe system)
97. Not preferred because of its no uniform drying & bleaching
Splitting of capsule
Loss in volatile constituent
only useful in dry hot sunny climates
The capsules should be placed in the dryer, out of direct
sunlight, and dried until they have a final moisture content of
10%.
99. Wood-fired dryer.
• In India, capsules are traditionally dried in curing houses, using wood to
provide the heat
• This method puts a huge demand on firewood.
• smoke from the fire can give the capsules an unpleasant smoked flavour.
• The processor must ensure that the capsules closest to the heat source
are not burnt or scorched.
• Cardamom capsules dried by this method are not of the highest quality.
100.
101. Electric or gas dryer.
• An electric or gas-fired dryer is an improvement over the use of a wood-
fuelled fire and is the best choice for drying large quantities of cardamom,
especially in places where there is rainfall during the drying season.
• It is the most expensive but produce the highest quality product.
• drying temperature does not exceed 50°C.
•different sizes are available
102. best method of drying
special curing chambers under controlled temperature
Heat required for drying is produced by burning fire wood in iron
Kiln, the heat thus produced is passed through pipes made of
galvanized iron sheet.
Drying temperature is kept at 50°C for first 4 hours and
subsequently reduced to 45-50°C by opening ventilators and using
exhaust fan.
Finally temperature is raised to 60°C for 1 hour
The process of drying takes about 36-48hr .
Moisture is 11-12%
104. High quality green cardamom
obtained
Organoleptic property are retained
Other drying methods
Electricity dryer =UAS banglore
Solar drier =CPCRI
Mechanical drier
Flow drier = CFTRI
105. Dried capsules are rubbed with coir mat , gunny cloth/ steel mesh
and sieved to remove other plant debris. This process is called
polishing. it is also done in machines.
The polished capsules are then graded according to size by passing
through sieves of size 7, 6 and 5 mm. They are sorted according to
size and colour.
The percentage recovery is 24.
107. Packaging
• Cardamom capsules can be packaged in polythene bags of various sizes according to the
market demand.
• The bags should be sealed to prevent moisture entering. Sealing machines can be used to seal
the bags.
Storage
• For long term bulk storage, polythene-lined gunny bags (strong sacks made from jute
fibres) inside wooden boxes are used.
• The polythene bags help to preserve the green colour of the pods.
• It is essential that the capsules are fully dry before they are placed in the gunny bags
for storage.
• Any moisture within the bags will cause the capsules to rot.
108. 1. Bold: Popular Export Grade. Lt. Wt. will be 415 gms with greenish colour.
Yellow/Black/open cardamom removed.
2. Super Bold: A very special variety. Wt. will be more than 450 gm with
greenish colour. Cannot see any yellow/Black/open cardamom.
3. Extra Bold: Best in the Export market. Wt. will be 435 gm with greenish
colour. Yellow/Black/open cardamom will be removed.
4. Bulk: This grade will contain all size, matured and immatured capsules, black,
yellow and splited cardamom.
5. Small: Lt. Wt. will be around 385 gms with black capsules.
6. Open / Splits: The colour may be partly greenish/pale yellow.
109. 1. 'Alleppey Green Extra Bold' (AGEB)
2. 'Alleppey Green Bold' (AGB) and
3. 'Alleppey Green Superior' (AGS).
110. Grades
Grade Description Size (mm) Weight
(g/l)min
Colour General characteristics
AG (Alleppey Green)
AGB Extra Bold 7 435 Green
Kiln dried, 3 cornered
and with ribbed
appearance
AGS Superior 5 385
AGS 1 Shipment 4 320-350 Light green
AGL Light 3.5 260
CG (Coorg Green)
CGEB Extra Bold 8 450 Golden to light
green
Round ribbed or smooth
skin
CGB Bold 7.5 435
CG-1 Superior 6.5 415 Light green
CG-2 Mota, Green 6 385 Green
CG-3 Shipment 5.5 350 Cream
CG-4 Light 3.5 280 Brown
Bleached
BL-1 8.5 340 Pale Fully developed round/3
cornered ribbed or
smooth skin
BL-2 7 340 Creamy
BL-3 5 300 Dull white
111. Unit - 1 ha.
No. of plants – 3000 per ha.
Wage rate – Rs. 192/- per labour per day
Gestation period : 3 years
