Production Technology Of Cardamom

Cardamom (Elettaria cardamomum Maton.)
Zingiberaceae

1. 1 Production Technology of Cardamom Vasanthkumar SS I - M.Sc PSMA HC&RI,pkm

2. " Queen of Spices“ one of the most highly prized and exotic spices

3. Cardamom (small) : Elletaria cardamomum , Family : zingiberaceae Tetraploid in nature. India is the second largest consumer of small cardamom. Cardamom - dried capsule indigenous to the evergreen forests of western ghats of south india . It is grown extensively in hilly regions of south india at elevations of 800-1300m as an under storey crop in forest lands. Srilanka , Papua New Guinea, Tanzania and Guatemala Plant profile

4. Habit: Tall perennial herbaceous plant. Stem : Thick, fleshy rhizomes and leafy stems, attaining a height of between 1.2 and 5 meters It is a shallow rooted plant. Leaf: The leaves are sub sessile, 30-60 cm long and 7.5 cm wide, oblong-lanceolate, and pubescent below. Pseudostem has light green or reddish purple or purple colour . Morphology

5. Flowers : The flowers are borne in panicles that arise from the base of the vegetative shoots, upright at first but eventually becoming prostrate. The flower bracts are persistent, linear-oblong, up to 5 cm in length. Calyx: The calyx is 1-3 cm long, the whitish convex lip streaked with violet. Seed: The oblong seed capsule is about 2.5 cm long and marked with fine vertical ribs. Flowers are open & bisexual. Stigma "is positioned above the anther. It is a cross pollinated crop. BOTANY

6. Honey bees are the “chief pollinators” . Labellum is prominent , and attract honey bees who insert their proboscis into the two nectar glands situated at the base of the flower. The foraging activities leads to pollination in flower. Peak period of panicle emergence : November - March. Peak flowering period: May-August. The capsules are trilocular , containing 15-20 seeds. Capsules are pale green to dark green in colour .

7. Large cardamom Botanical Name- Amomum subulatum Origin – Eastern Himalayan Region World – Nepal, Bhutan, India India- Sikkim, Darjeeling Uses- Tonic for Cough, appetizer, diuretic, Stimulant, etc Pregnant women should not use cardamom because there is a fear of abortion.

8. Varieties Ramshai / Ramsey : Tall plants (2.5m) , Fruits are small and of inferior quality, suitable for growing at higher altitude. Sawaney : Tall plants with wider and shorter leaves. Fruits are bold and brown. Popular variety of lower altitudes. Golshai / Golsey : Short plants with 5-6 shoots and short and broad leaves. Fruits bold, big , round in shape and yellow coloured. Good market value- attractive appearance Other derived varieties – Ramla , Chiba, Ramnag , Madhurai and Mongney

9. Importance and uses It is also used for medicinal purpose, both in allopathy and ayurveda systems . Cardamom is therapeutic in nature, used to treat infections in teeth and gums, digestive disorders, throat troubles, skin conditions etc.  In south asia , green cardamom is largely included in traditional Indian sweets and in the making of tea.  It contain volatile oil-5.5 to 10.5%. Cardamom essential oil mainly contains terpinyl acetate, linalyl acetate, and 1,8-cineole

10. Cont. Mostly chewing Special seasoning and curry powder and flavouring sweetmeats, cakes, sausages, bakery products and culinary preparations Medicinal uses: stomachic, mixed with ginger, cloves for digestive ailments Chemical components of cardamom: cardamom comprises 67 compounds representing 96.9% of the cardamom oil.

11. India has the largest area ( 90% of the world area ). Cardamom is orginated western ghats of southern India, Production in Kerala (60%), Karnataka (30%), Tamil Nadu (10%). The largest cardamom producing country currently is Guatemala followed by India and Tanzania . ORGIN AND DISTRIBUTION

12. Cardamom growing regions of South India Kerala : Idukki and Waynad Karnataka : Coorg, Chikmagalore and Hassan districts Tamil Nadu : Pulney and Kodai hills

13. The major consuming countries of cardamom are Saudi Arabia, India, Pakistan, United Arab Emirates, Norway, Sweden, Denmark, Finland The countries in the western Asian region like Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates, India etc have maximum consumption and these countries share around 60% of the world’s consumption. Contd..

14. Production tech of cardamom

15. Varieties of cardamom Elettaria cardamomum Maton var. major Wild cardamom of Sri Lanka. Robust plant of 3m length with broadleaves and erect panicles. Fruit is larger e.g. 2.5 to 5 cm larger and less aromatic seeds known as Long wild native cardamom in trade. Elettaria cardamomum Maton var. minor This includes most of cultivated races like, Mysore, Malabar and Vazhukka . Fruits are 1-2cm long (smaller) and more aromatic seeds .

16. T ypes of cardamom Parameters Malabar(2n=48) Mysore (2n= 50) Vazhukka (Malabar × Mysore) Plant stature Medium (2-3m ht) Tall (3-5 m ht) Tall (3-5m ht) Leaf Dorsal side may be pubescent or glabrous, short petiole Lanceolate or oblong- lanceolate, glabrous on both sides, petiole long Deep green oblong – lanceolate long petiole Panicle Prostrate Erect Semi erect Capsule Globose-oblong shaped Ovoid , bold dark green Bold, globose or ovoid Bearing nature Early, short span of flowering Late, long flowering span Late , long flowering span Adaptability Lower elevation (600 -1000 m MSL) Higher elevation (900 – 1200 m MSL) Higher elevation (900 -1200 m MSL) Tolerance to drought Thrives under low rainfall Thrives well under well distributed rainfall Thrives well under well distributed rainfall

17. Malabar - prostrate type panicle

18. Vazhukka – semi erect type panicle Mysore – erect type panicle

19. Varietal description Selection/varieties Cultivar Character Area of adaptablity Source Yield potential (Kg/ha) ICRI - 1 Malabar An early maturing profusely flowering variety; medium sized panicle with globose, bold, dark green capsules; essential oil content 8.65%; dry recovery 22.9%. South Idukki zone of Kerala, where the rainfall is well distributed ICRI Spices Board, Myladumpara ldukki , Kerala 660 ICRI 2 Mysore Performs well under irrigated conditions; suitable for higher altitude; capsules medium long and parrot green; essential oil content 6.66%; dry recovery 22.5%. Cardamom Growing tracts of Kerala and parts of Tamil Nadu ICRI Spices Board, Myladumpara ldukki , Kerala 750

20. ICRI 3 Malabar Early maturing type; non-pubescent leaves; oblong bold, parrot green capsules; essential oil content 6.6%, dry recovery 22.5%. Cardamom growing tracts of Karnataka RRS, ICRI,Spices Board Sakleshpur , Karnataka 1000 ICRI-4 Malabar An early maturing variety adaptable to low rainfall area; medium sized panicle; globose bold parrot green capsules; dry recovery 17%. Adapted to Lower Pulney Hills of Tamil Nadu RRS, ICRI Spice Board Thadiankudisi , Tamil Nadu 650

21. ICRI – 3

22. ICRI 5 Malabar Hybrid variety; early bearing; high yield; high oil content; deep green bold capsule; moderately talent to rot disease; essential oil content 7.13%; dry recovery 23.15%. Kerala and parts of Tamil Nadu ICRI Spices Board, Myladumpara Idukki, Kerala 1650 ICRI 6 Malabar Regular yielder; high oil content; deep green long bold capsule; moderately tolerant to rot pathogens thrips , borer and drought; dry recovery 19 Kerala and parts of Tamil Nadu ICRI Spices Board, Myladumpara , ldukki , Kerala 1200

23. ICRI - 7 Vazhukka Hybrid variety; panicles possess angular green bold capsules; essential oil content 8.84%; dry recovery 22.24%. Suitable for Wayanad, Kerala ICRI Spices Board, Myladumpara , ldukki , Kerala 700 ICRI 8 Malabar Capsules are dark green and bold; high recovery of bold capsules with 71% of the capsules produced is above 7 -5 mm Karnataka ICRI Regional Station, Spices Board, Sakleshpur,Karnataka 1200

24. PV-1 Malabar type. 500 kg dry capsules / ha. Dry recovery: 20%, Essential oil: 6.8% kerala and parts of tamilnadu Released by Cardamom Research Station, Pampadumpara . 500 Pv 2 Vazhukka High yield deep green long bold capsule Dry recovery: 23.8%, Essential oil: 6.6% kerala Released by Cardamom Research Station, Pampadumpara . 1200

25. Mudigree 1 malabar Tolerant to hairy caterpillars and white grubs; short panicle; oval bold, pale green capsules; tolerant to thrips and shoot borer; essential oil content 8%; dry recovery 20% traditional cardamom growing tracts of Karnataka ZAHRS, UAHS, Mudigere , Karnataka 275 Mudigree 2 malabar suited for cultivation in valleys in Karnataka: essential oil content 8% Suited for Karnataka (valley areas ZAHRS, UAHS, Mudigere , Karnataka 475(rainfed)

26. Mudigre 3 malabar Tolerant to thrips and borers Cardamom growing tracts of Karnataka ZAHRS, UAHS, Mudigere , Karnataka 400 Appangala 1 malabar Suitable for intensive cultivation both under monocrop and mixed crop conditions; early maturing variety, highly adaptive and produces 89% bold capsules All cardamom growing tracts of Karnataka & Wayanad of Kerala ICAR- IISR,Appangala , Karnataka 745

27. Appangala 2 Malabar Hig yielding and resistant to mosaic virus/ katte ,essential oil -6.2%,dry recovery -21.10% Karnataka and wayanad ICAR- IISR,Appangala ,Karnataka 400 IISR avinash Malabar Resistant to rhizome rot disease and leaf blight diseases; high quality elongated capsules; essential oil content 6.7%, dry recovery 20.8% Kodagu, north wayanad , hassan and chikmagalur ICAR- IISR,Appangala ,Karnataka 850

28. IISR suvashini Malabar An early maturing variety suitable for high density planting long panicle; oblong bold, parrot green capsules; essential oil content 8.7%; dry recovery 22% Growing tracts of karnataka wayanad of kerala ICAR- IISR,Appangala ,Karnataka 400 IISR vijeetha Malabar Tolerant to katte disease; essential oil content 7.9%; dry recovery 20.8% Kodagu, north wayanad , hassan and chikmagalu ICAR- IISR,Appangala ,Karnataka 650

29. Sebastian Joseph From Idukki. Mysore Type Yield about 3000 kg/ha of dry cardamom under good management condition Robust nature of tiller Main feature high yield and quality and good oil content bold capsule Less incidence of katte disease Njallani green gold

30. Panikulangara Green Bold No.1 (PBG-1) Mr. Joy Peter- farmer from Idukki Vazukka variety- bearing thick long leaves, vigorous growth Multiplied - Clonal selection Short duration – 75 days (flowering to fruiting) More productive tillers (110-120)- compared to Mysore & Malabar 6-8 kg capsules/ plant 80% of capsules - Bolder capsules ( 8mm ) Tolerant to drought – rainfed cultivation Resistant – Blight disease Moderately tolerance- thrips, stem borer

31. Warm and humid climate Altitude : 600 – 1200 above MSL Temperature : 10 to 35°C Annual rainfall : 1500 – 5000mm (fairly distributed) Shade : (50-60%) (moderate) In India, cardamom is mostly cultivated under natural forest canopy, except in certain areas in Karnataka and Wynad in Kerala, where it is grown in arecanut and coffee plantations. Climate and soil

32. Sloppy lands facing eastern and northern directions are ideal for cultivation. Cardamom prefers forest soils rich in humus. Soils - rich in organic matter and nitrogen and also low to medium in available phosphorus and potassium. Well drained pH 4.5 to 6.5 .

33. Cardamom is propagated both asexually (through suckers) and sexually , (through seeds). Seed propagation is recommended in areas affected by katte disease (a disease transmitted through suckers) Vegetative propagation earlier bearing and true to type plants. Propagation :

34. Vegetative propagation (sucker) Sucker multiplication taken up from the first week of March to September depending upon the weather conditions. Trenches of 45 cm width, 45 cm depth and convenient length are to be taken across the slope along the contour at 1.8 m apart. Trenches are to be filled with equal quantities of humus rich topsoil, sand and composted cattle manure. Uproot a part of the high- yielding, disease free mother clump identified in the plantation

35. Identify and collect viral free mother clumps . Trim the roots and separate suckers . Plant them at a spacing of 100 cm in filled up trenches making a small pit. Apply 50 grams of Mycorrhizae (AM fungi) before planting of the suckers in the pit. Provide sufficient mulch and stake each planting unit. Provide overhead pandal as in the case of seedlings nursery and remove shading material with the onset of monsoon.

36. Apply fertilizers NPK 25: 25: 50 grams per sucker in two to three splits from two months after planting. Apply neem cake at 100-150 g per plant along with fertilizers. On an average 15-20 good quality planting units (one grown up sucker with a growing young shoot) could be produced from a mother clump within ten months of planting. Before planting, suckers may be dipped in 1% Pseudomonas for 5-10 minutes for encouraging the growth and preventing disease incidence.

37. STAKING MANURING New planatation

38. Primary nursery Nursery site - moderately sloppy land , in open and well drained location near source of water. Raised seed beds (20 cm) of one meter width and of convenient length are prepared. Spread a layer of jungle top soil over the bed. Fully ripened bold capsules from high yielding and disease free mother clumps collected from second and third harvest for seed extraction Soil solarisation of seed beds enhances germination by 25%, reduces weed growth by 82% and suppress pests and diseases. Seeds can be broadcasted or line sown 1-2 cm apart in rows 8-10 cm apart. Seed rate is 175-200 g /ha

39. Seeds are to be sown as early as possible, preferably within 15 days after extraction since seeds lose their viability on storage. Sowing in September gives maximum germination under field conditions; winter and peak southwest monsoon period should be avoided. Even under ideal conditions, the germination is often less than 50 per cent only. Acid scarification with 25 per cent Nitric acid for 10 minutes to break the seed coat will enhance germination.

40. Line sowing - distance of 10 cm. The seed is ready for sowing the next day. Sowing can be done in lines in rows at a distance of 10 cm. Seed rate is 30 to 50 grams per 6 X 1 meter size bed. After sowing, cover the bed with a thin layer of fine soil and then with mulch material, such as potha grass or paddy straw.

41. Avoid the contact of mulch material with the soil .Water the beds to sufficient moisture conditions. Once sprouting is observed, remove the mulch and cover the bed with thinly sliced mulch material in between rows. To protect the seedling from direct sunlight, provide an overhead pandal. Germination commences 20 to 25 days after sowing and continues for further 30 to 40 days. Seedlings when reach four to six leaf stage (five-six months after sowing) is transplanted to secondary nursery.

42. Seed bed under shadenet

43. Secondary nursery(Bed Nursery and Polybag Nursery) Bed Nursery Prepare beds as in primary nursery. A layer of cattle manure and wood ash may be spread on the bed and mixed with soil. Seedling of three to four leaf stages from the primary nursery beds can be transplanted in the secondary nursery at a distance of 20 to 25cms. Mulching and watering of beds should be done immediately after transplanting. Overhead pandal can be erected to protect seedlings from direct sunlight.

44. Bed Nursery

45. Polybag Nursery Black HM/HDP bags of size 20 X 20 cm having minimum 100 GSM thickness with three to four holes at the bottom can be used for this purpose. Fill the bags with potting mixture in the ratio of 3:1:1 of jungle topsoil, cow dung and sand. The bags may be arranged in rows of convenient length and breadth for easy management. One healthy and disease free seedling at three to four-leaf stage can be transplanted into each bag. Cardamom plants from secondary nursery/polybags can be transplanted to the main field during the last week of May after receipt of southwest monsoon.

46. Polybag Nursery

47. Suckers are collected from high yielding plants and planted at a spacing of 1.8m x 0.6m, thus accommodating approximately 6800 plants/ha of clonal nursery area. Overhead shade is provided and nursery is irrigated. After 12 months of planting , each planting unit produces on average 32-42 suckers . In an area of 1ha clonal nursery 1 to 1.4 lakhs planting units can be produced after one year . A crop of 190g/plant of dry cardamom (1759kg/ha) also could be harvested within just 19 months of planting . Rapid clonal multiplication technique

48. Rapid clonal multiplicaton

49. Pit Opening Field operations are to be undertaken with the objective of preventing soil erosion and to conserve soil moisture. In sloppy areas, soil should be protected from soil erosion for which planting should be taken up in terraces. Terraces should be made at required distances on contours depending on the spacing adopted. Pits of 90 X 90 X 45 cm can be prepared before commencement of monsoon, about 1/3 of the pit should be filled with top soil and 1/3 should be filled with 1:3 mixture of organic manure and topsoil

50. Preventing soil erosion

51. Planting Planting material of high yielding variety suitable for the areas may be selected for planting. For Mysore and Vazhukka cultivars plant to plant distance can be 3x3 m (1111 plts /ha) or 2.4x 2.4 m when planted in high rainfall or irrigated areas. A spacing of 1.8 x 1.8 m or 1.2 x 1.8 m is suitable in Karnataka. Immediately after planting, the plant base should be mulched well with available dried leaves to protect solid from erosion and conservation of moisture . Planting should be done diagonally to the slope to reduce runoff.

52. Transplanting

53. Two or three rounds of hand weeding at the plant base during May, September and December/January and slash weeding in other areas are advisable. Use of spade for weeding is to be avoided as it will loosen the soil and cause soil erosion. Mechanical weeding using weed cutter is economical . Weed control

54. WEEDING

55. Irrigation is required generally from February to April but at times from January to May depending upon availability of rainfall. This is the period in which development of young tillers and panicles takes place. Irrigation can be done through different methods such as hose irrigation, sprinkler irrigation and drip irrigation methods or micro/mist/fog irrigation. Irrigation

56. SPRINGLER IRRIGATION POND IRRIGATION DRIP IRRIGATION

57. Soil and Water Conservation Opening of a rectangular silt pit (1.0 X 0.5 X 0.6 meter) in between four plants will help in soil and water conservation on gentle slopes. If the slope is steep, construction of stone pitching walls at 10-20 meter intervals across the slope and also making water collecting trenches along drainage channels at selected intervals will be helpful in non- landslide prone areas.

58. Forking the plant base to a distance up to 90 cm and to a depth of 9-12 cm is found to enhance(aeration) root proliferation and better growth of plants. The entire plantation and particularly the plant base are to be kept under mulch. It is very essential to keep the plant base mulched ( 5-10 cm thick ) except during June to September to reduce the ill effects of drought, for reducing evaporation loss and to maintain optimum temperature. Forking and Mulching

59. Mulching

60. Trashing consists of removing old tillers and dry leaves and leaf sheaths. This operation may be carried out once in a year at any time after the receipt of the pre-monsoon showers in May. Pruning is the operation undertaken with sharp sickles for removing the dead and hanging leaves from the pseudo-stem. Care should be taken not to peel off the leaf sheath from the pseudostem . This operation may be done during January and during September, which coincides with the peak thrips population. The resultant plant materials obtained through pruning can be used for mulching Trashing and pruning

61. Trashing

62. Pruning

63. Earthling up Earthling up of the plant base with top soil is recommended during Dec- Jan . While carrying out this operation, care should be exercised to ensure that only top soil is used, and it is evenly spread at the base covering only half the bulb portion of the rhizome. This operation helps to keep the top 10 to 15 cm soil loose and friable enabling easy root penetration and water percolation .

64. Earthling Up

65. Cardamom does not tolerate direct sun light , also too much shade affects metabolic activities of plants. Removal of excess shade so as to allow sufficient penetration 50% filtered sunlight for proper growth and flowering Shade regulation done during March-April in new plantations during May-June after the receipt of summer shower in the existing plantations Normally all kinds of trees used as shade trees. Shade regulation

66. Balangi ( Atrocarpus fraxinifolius ) Nili ( Bisochofia javanica ) Jack ( Atrocarpus heterophyllus ) Red cedar ( Cedrella toona ) Karimaram ( Diospyros ebenum ) Karna ( Vernonia monocis ) Nandi ( Lagesroemia lanceolata ) Spanish cherry ( Mimusops elangi ) used as shade trees Common shade trees

67. Cardamom under shade trees

68. Application of Organic Manures Organic manures are considered essential in improving the physical characteristics of the soil, in addition to their nutrient value.   Application of organic manures such as Neem cake @ 1 Kg/ plant or Poultry manure/Farmyard manure/ Cowdung Compost (@ 5 Kg/plant) once in an year The manures should be thoroughly mixed with surface soil after application. FERTILIZER  RECOMMENDATION

69. Application of lime 1 K g / plant / year for soils with below 5.0 (or 2 kg dolomite) H alf a kg of lime (or 1 kg dolomite) when pH is between 5-5.5. Lime is to be applied in one or two splits during May and September. Fertilizer shall be applied only after 15-20 days of lime application

70. Use of Growth Regulators NAA(400 ppm)- Increase plant height, enhance production of panicles, reduce capsule drop, increase yield. 2,4-D(6ppm) & NAA(40ppm)- Enhance total content of essential oil of the capsules. NAA 50 ppm recorded highest yield per vine 2,4 D(4ppm) ; 2,4,5-T(6ppm) and NAA(40 ppm) is effective to enhance total essential oil content of capsule NAA(25ppm) twice( june and july ) reduced fruit drop and increased fruit set. Ethrel (250 ppm )under high light intensity (15k lux)doubled the sucker production

71. Schedule for the use of NPK fertilizers Age of Plant Rainfed areas (Kg/ha) Irrigated areas(Kg/ha) 1st year of planting NPK - 25:25:50 (2 split application) NPK - 25:25:50 (2 Split application) 2nd year of planting NPK -40:40:80 (2 split application) NPK -60:60:80 (3 split applications) 3rd year of planting NPK – 75:75:150  (2 split application) NPK - 125:125:250 (3 split application) Soil application in May/June September/October December /January

72. Age of plants Both rainfed & irrigated areas 1st year of planting DAP 2% (2 kg/100 liters water) (2 applications) 2nd year of planting   DAP 2%+ MOP 1% (2 applications) 3rd year of planting   DAP 2% + MOP 2% (3 applications) Foliar spray in Aug/Sep Oct/Nov Dec/Jan Zinc shall be applied as foliar spray at 250g/100 liters twice a year Foliar Spray Schedule

73. Shoot, panicle   and capsule borer Dichocrocis (Conogethes) punctiferalis   Management: Rouging and destruction of infested tillers during September- October. Conserving of predators and parasitoids viz., Agrypon sp . and Apanteles sp Spray Diafenthiuron 50% WP at 80 g/100 liters of water or Lambda- Cyhalothrin 04.90% CS @ 40 ml / 100 liters of water within 20 days of adult moth emergence. Spraying fenthion 0.075% is effective in controlling this pest. Pests

74. Cardamom Thrips: Sciothrips cardamomi Management: Removal of dry leaves as well as leaf sheath (trashing/pruning) during January, May and September. Spray Quinalphos 25% EC at 120 ml/100 liters of water or Diafenthiuron 50% WP at 80 g/100 liters of water or Lambda-Cyhalothrin 04.90% CS at 40 ml/100 liters of water Thrips infestation results in nearly 45-48 % of crop loss

75. Root grubs:  Basilepta fulvicorne Nutrient uptake is reduced due to root damage leading to yellowing of leaves. The pest problem is severe in less shaded areas. Management Avoid planting of jackfruit, mango, fig etc. as shade trees as these trees are alternate hosts of the pest. Mulching of plant base with leaves of wild Helianthus sp . to prevent egg laying of adult beetles. Earthing up and de- trashing.Application of local strain of EPN ( Heterorhabditis indica ) infected Galleria cadaver @ 4 cadavers /plant.

76. Nematode Fumigate the primary and secondary nursery beds using Methyl Bromide (@ 500 g/10 sq.m ) or Ethylenedibromide (@ 20 lit/ha) Durofume (@ 30 lit/ha) under polythene cover for 23 days Drench the nursery beds with 2 % Formalin. Apply Carbofuran 3 G @ 5 kg a.i /ha

77. Minor pests Root borer:  Onthophgus spp Hairy caterpillars:  Eupterote cardamomi Shoot fly:  Formosina flavipes White flies:  Dialeurodes cardamom Cardamom aphid:  Pentalonia nigronervosa  f.Caladii Root borer Skipper Butterfly Looper Red spider mite

78. Management Destruction of diseased clumps. Providing proper drainage Changing the nursery site Drenching the nursery beds with Copper oxychloride 0.25% or Bordeaux mixture 0.5%, before 15 days of sowing. Soil drenching with B.M 1% (or) Pentachloronitrobenzene (PCNB)1.0% Diseases Damping off / rhizome rot / clump rot  –  Pythium vexans , Fusarium oxysporum , Rhizoctonia solani , Phytophthora sp.

79. Rhizome Rot Disease Rotten Rhizomes and tillers

80. Azhukal disease / capsule rot / fruit rot :– Phytophthora parasitica car. nicotianae / Phytophthora palmivora Management: Removal and burning of infected plants. Avoid moving of rhizomes from diseased areas to healthy area for planting Provide proper drainage Three sprays with BM 1% in May, June, July Soil drench with BM 1 % (or) Copper oxychloride  0.25%

81. Infected Panicle Infected leaves SYMPTOMS OF AZHUKAL

82. Mosaic – Cadamom mosaic virus (CDMV) Management Collection and removal of infected clumps along with rhizomes and burning. Raising of nursery in diseases free areas. Spray with dimethoate (or) Methyl dematan (or) Phosphomidon to kill the vector.

83. Chenthal disease / leaf blight: Colletotrichum gloeosporioides 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.

84. Cardamom plants take about two years to bear capsules. Bearing span – 15 to 20 years It takes about three months for fruit maturity. Harvesting of cardamom is the most important operation that requires special attention of growers. Proper harvesting will improve the quality and quantity of the produce. Harvesting

85. Stage of Harvest The capsules should be harvested when they attain physiological maturity ( Karinkai ) to fully ripened stage so as to allow the capsules for proper seed set and to obtain higher recovery.

86. Only the green and mature capsules. This process will naturally give a lower green crop per pick. The gap between picking rounds can be maintained at 20 to 30 days. Semi-mature capsules are also picked. This process reduces curing percentage and gives green coloured capsules upon curing. Can be maintained between 30 to 45 days. 1) Light picking 2) Hard picking Light picking Hard picking

87. Cont. Over ripening should be avoided as it results in loss of capsules due to rodents and squirrels in the field and also splitting at the time of drying which in turn leads to low premium price in the market. Recovery is highest ( 24%) in the fully ripened capsules followed by the one harvested at physiological maturity (20 per cent ) and at immature stage (14 per cent). The oil content varies with the maturity of capsules.

88. Seed inside the capsule has become brownish-black or black and pericarp is still green. For pickle making- cardamom fruits are harvested.

89. To identify the maturity stage Distinctly developed shoulders of the capsule. Clear cut line in between two segment of the shell . Triangular deep cut at the point of attachment   D ark green colour of rind Loose attachment of capsule to the panicle. Change of seed colour to brownish black or black

90. 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.

91. In the first year - 25 to 50 kg/ha under favourable conditions. In the second year , the average yield would be around 50 to 70 kg In the third year it may go up to an average of 100 kg . The average yield of dry capsules from a well maintained cardamom field from the fourth year onwards will be 110 to 170 kg/ha . Yield

92. Post harvest process Harvesting Hand picking of matured capsules Cleaning winnowing Pre treatment The capsules can be soaked in a solution of 2 % sodium bicarbonate for 10 minutes. Drying The drying temperature should not exceed 50% . The moisture content reduced from 85% to 10%.

93. Grading The deeper the green colour and the larger capsule size & higher grade. All grading done by hand. Grinding Method of adding value to the product. Packaging In polythene bags according to sizes based on market demand. Storage Maintain in storage containers/room at 10% of moisture content. Marketing

94. Cardamom curing is a process in which the moisture of freshly harvested capsule is reduced from 80% to 10 to 12% at an optimum temperature of 50 o C so as to retain green colour to the maximum extent.   There are mainly two types of drying, Natural (sun drying) Artificial drying by using fire wood (traditional flue pipe system) Curing

95. Cured cardamom capsules are rubbed with hand or with rough coir mat or wire mesh Remove stalk with other floral parts and winnowed to remove plant residues , foreign matter , splits, diseases and pests attached to light coloured capsules. Bleaching Distinct trade quality Capsules bleached with bleaching powder, Sulphur dioxide or hydrogen peroxide to give a uniform colour and appearance KMS (25% containing 1%HCL for 30 min) and H₂O₂ (4-6% @ pH 4.0) Cleaning

96. DRYING Cardamom capsules carry moisture levels of 70-80% at harvest. For proper storage, the initial moisture level has to be brought down to 8-10%. Cardamom capsules need to be dried within 24 h, any further delay would result in deterioration of green colour and appearance.

97. Grading The grades in the trade are ‘Long ’ , ‘Medium’ and ‘Short’ Four major forms or types supplied in market are: Whole green cardamom : Mature fruits are picked while green and constitute the prime quality Whole bleached cardamom: Mature fruits are picked when green colour has faded & bleached for uniform white colour Whole straw-coloured cardamom : Mature fruits which have been dried in sun Decorticated seeds: Capsules have been blemished

98. Grading

99. Grading by Different size Sieves Grading by Different size Sieves

100. Different Types of Grades

101. GRADES OF CARDAMOM Bold : Popular Export Grade. greenish colour . Yellow/Black/open cardamom removed. Super Bold :   A very special variety. greenish colour . Cannot see any yellow/Black/open cardamom.   Extra Bold : Best in the Export market. greenish colour . Yellow/Black/open cardamom will be removed. Bulk : This grade will contain all size, matured and immatured capsules, black, yellow and splited cardamom. Small : black capsules Open / Splits The colour may be partly greenish/pale yellow.

102. Grade Description Size(mm) Weight(g/L) Colour General characters AGB Extra bold 7 435 Green Kiln dried, 3 cornered & white ribbed appearance AGS Superior 5 385 AGS 1 Shipment 4 320-350 Light Green Round , Ribbed or smooth skin AGL Light 3.5 260 CGEB Extra bold 8 450 Golden to Light Green CGB Bold 7.5 435 CG-1 Superior 6.5 415 Light Green CG-2 Mota , Green 6 385 Green CG-3 Shipment 6.5 350 Cream CG-4 Light 3.5 280 Brown 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 'Alleppey Green Extra Bold' (AGEB) 'Alleppey Green Bold' (AGB 'Alleppey Green Superior' (AGS Other grades(International market) AG – Alleppey Green, CG- Coorg Green, BL - Bleached

103. 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. Attractive labels should be applied to the products. The label needs to contain all relevant product and legal information – the name of the product, brand name ,details of the manufacturer etc ,.

104. Packaging

105. Storage Dried cardamom capsules must be stored in moisture-proof containers away from direct sunlight . 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. If they have absorbed moisture, they should be re-dried to a moisture content of 10%. Mosquito netting should be fitted on the windows to prevent pests and insects from entering the room.

106. Storage

107. Cardamom Products Green cardamom . Cardamom Oil. Oleoresin. Decorticated seed. Cardamom Seed Powder.

108. Green cardamom After harvesting, capsules are dried either in fuel Kiln or electrical drier or in the sun. Soaking freshly harvested green cardamom capsules in 2 % washing soda solution for 10 minutes prior to drying helps to retain original green colour during-drying. Under flue pipe drier, it should be dried at 45-50 °C for 14-18  hours, while over night drying at 50-60°C is required under an electric drier. The capsules are spread-thinly and stirred frequently to ensure uniform drying.

109. Bleaching Distinct trade quality Capsules bleached with bleaching powder, Sulphur dioxide or hydrogen peroxide to give a uniform colour and appearance The bleaching of fresh capsules is undertaken by soaking for one hour in 20% potassium metabisulphite solution containing 1% hydrogen peroxide solution to degrade the chlorophyll. On drying these capsules yield a golden yellow colour . The bleaching of dry capsules can be undertaken by a number of methods viz sulphur bleaching, potassium metabisulphite with hydrochloric acid and hydrogen peroxide, hydrogen peroxide, or the traditional method by steeping in soap-nut water.

110. Cardamom capsules are usually sold whole. Grinding can be a method of adding value to a product. After grinding, spices are more vulnerable to spoilage. The flavour and aroma compounds are not stable and will quickly disappear from ground products. The storage life of ground spices is much less than for the whole spices. It is also very easy for unscrupulous processors to contaminate the ground spice by adding other material. Therefore most consumers, from wholesalers to individual customers, prefer to buy whole spices. Grinding

111. Cardamom Oil The basic cardamom aroma is produced by a combination of the major components , 1,8 - cineole and α- terpinyl acetate in essential oil. otained by steam distilation, for 4 hours . Oleoresin 1 kg of oleoresin can replace 20 kg of ground spice. Volatile oil contains – 52-58%

112. Oil – Steam distillation-4 hours. Volatile oil predominantly in seeds- 60-70% of the whole fruit Temperature in storage – influence the rate of oil loss Oleoresin produced in small scale Commercial cardamom oleoresin contains 52-58 % . It is used for flavouring. Essential oil and oleoresin

113. Decorticated seed & Cardamom Seed Powder.

114. MARKETING PRODUCTS OF CARDAMOM(VALUE ADDITION PRODUCTS)

115. Vijayan, A.. (2018). Small Cardamom Production Technology and Future Prospects. N. Kumar, Introduction to Spices, Plantation Crops, Medicinal and Aromatic Plants ( 2018 ) https://indiaagronet.com/indiaagronet/crop%20info/Cardamom.htm https://agritech.tnau.ac.in/horticulture/horti_spice%20crops_cardamom.html https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fXOaWevi6f8 https://vikaspedia.in/agriculture/crop-production/package-of-practices/spices/cardamom https://www.jains.com/PDF/Crop%20Knowledge/Cardamom.pdf https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/7039980/ https://www.agrifarming.in/cardamom-farming https://www.asiafarming.com/cardamom-cultivation References: