Book Cultivation Cardamom PDF

CULTIVATION PRACTICES
FOR CARDAMOM
Elettaria cardamomum Maton
Cultivation Practices for Cardamom <<<
CULTIVATION PRACTICES
FOR CARDAMOM
Elettaria cardamomum Maton
Published by
Spices Board
Ministry of Commerce & Industry
Government of India
Cochin – 682 025
Copies - 6000
January 2009
Printed at
Niseema Printers & Publishers, Kochi - 18
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<<< Cultivation Practices for Cardamom
Introduction
Cardamom (Elettaria cardamomum Maton) the ìQueen of Spicesî enjoys

a unique position in the international spices market, as one of the most
sought after spices. Cardamom is indigenous to the southern stretch of
evergreen forests of Western Ghats. Till early seventies India was the main
producer and exporter of this commodity. Now Guatemala has emerged as
worldís largest producer, offering stiff competition to Indian cardamom in the
international market. Tanzania, Sri Lanka, EL Salvador, Vietnam, Laos,
Cambodia and Papua New Guinea are the other cardamom growing
countries. In India, cardamom is cultivated in the southern states of Kerala,
Karnataka and Tami Nadu. Kerala accounts for 60 per cent of the cultivation
followed by Karnataka (32 per cent) and Tami Nadu (8 per cent). The total
area under cardamom in India is estimated to be around 69,000 hectares
(2007-08).
Cardamom is used for flavouring various food preparations,

confectionary, beverages and liquors. It is also used for medicinal purpose,
both in Allopathy and Ayurveda systems. In the Middle East countries,
cardamom is mainly used for preparation of ëGahwaí (cardamom flavoured
coffee).
The cardamom of commerce is the dried fruit (capsule) of the plant,

Elettaria cardamomum Maton. The genus belongs to the natural order
Scitamine, family Zingiberaceae under Monocotyledons. It is basically a
psiophytic plant growing under shade in evergreen forests. It is propagated
through seeds, suckers and tissue culture plantlets. Cardamom plants mature
in about 20-22 months after planting. Economic yield starts from 3rd year of
planting and it continues up to 8-12 years for high yielding varieties depending
upon the level of management. The life span of a cardamom plant is 30
years or more, but each pseudostem is biannual in nature.
Varieties
Two varieties of cardamom plants are identified and they are Elettaria
cardamomum Maton, variety major comprised of wild indigenous types of
Sri Lanka and Elettaria cardamomum Maton, variety, minor comprising of
cultivars like, Mysore, Malabar and Vazhukka. These types are grown in
different tracts and are mostly identified on the nature of panicles, size of
plants and other morphological characters. Cardamom varieties are highly
location specific.
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A mature cardamom plant may measure two to four meters in height. It

is a shallow rooted plant. Tiller production takes place throughout the year.
However, peak period is form January to March. Flowers are borne on
panicles, which emerge directly from the swollen base of the aerial shoot. It
is a cross-pollinated plant and pollination occurs by external agents like
honeybees. The panicles are erect in Cv, ëMysoreí prostrate in Cv ëMalabarí
and intermediate (pendent) in Cv ëVazhukkaí. Panicles may be branched or
simple. The peak period of panicle emergence is from November to March.
Flowering normally commences from February and extends to October; May-
August being the peak flowering period. After fruit set, about 90-120 days
are required for the fruits to attain maturity. The capsules are globose or
ovoid or narrowly ellipsoid to elongate in shape, trilocular, containing 15-20
seeds. On maturity, seeds turn dark brown to black in colour and capsule is
pale green to dark green.
Cultivar Malabar
These cardamom plants have medium size and attain two to three
meters height on maturity. The dorsal side of leaves may be pubescent or
glabrous. The panicles are prostrate and the capsules are globose to oblong
shaped. This type of cardamom plants is better suited to areas of 600 to
1200 meters elevation. ëMalabarí type is considered as relatively less
susceptible to thrips. This type is mostly cultivated in Karnataka. It can thrive
under low rainfall and short duration rainfall conditions. Malabar types are
cultivated to a lesser extent in Kerala (Kannielam tract) and Tamil Nadu
(Lower Pulney hills).
Cultivar Mysore
Plants belonging to this type are robust and attain three to four meters
in height. The leaves are lanceolate or oblong to lanceolate and glabrous
on both sides. The panicles are erect and the capsules are ovoid bold and
dark green in colour. They are better adapted to altitudes ranging from 900
to 1200 meters from sea level and thrive well under assured, well-distributed
rainfall conditions. This type is mostly cultivated in Kerala in certain pockets
of Tamil Nadu and Karnataka.
Cultivar Vazhukka
This is considered to be a natural hybrid of Malabar and Mysore types

and consequently, the plants belonging to this group exhibit various
characteristics intermediate to these two types. The plants are robust like
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Cv. Mysore. Its leaves are deep green, oblong to lanceolate or ovate, panicles
are semi-erect (pendent) and capsules are bold, globose or ovoid in shape.
It is extensively cultivated in Kerala and Tamil Nadu at elevations ranging
form 900 ñ 1200 meters above sea level.
High yielding varieties and selections
Various research institutions working on the crop improvement aspects

of cardamom have released a number of elite location specific high yielding
clones having an yield potential of above 450 kg per hectare (rainfed) and
superior capsule characters. Prominent among them are detailed in
Table 1.
In addition to this, there are several high yielding clones selected by
cardamom farmers. The most popular and widely cultivated farmer variety
is ëNjallani green goldí which has very high yield potential and good quality
characters. Others prominent selections are Palakkudy, Panikulangara -1,
Vally green bold, Elarani, PNS Vaigai, cardamom vander, Kalarickal white
cardamom etc.
Climate and Soil
The natural habitat of cardamom is the evergreen forests of Western
Ghats. It is found to grow within an altitude ranging between 600 and 1200
meters above MSL. Though considerable variations both in the total rainfall
pattern and its distributions are noticed in the cardamom tracts (900-
4000mm), a well distributed rainfall of 1500-2500mm with not less than
200mm summer showers and mean temperature of 15 to 250C would be
ideal. Cardamom generally grows well in forest loamy soils that are acidic in
nature, the preferable pH being 5.5-6.5. Cardamom soils are high in organic
matter and nitrogen, low to medium in available phosphorous and medium
to high in available potassium.
Nursery Management
In order to raise a cardamom plantation, suckers or seedlings of high
yielding varieties suiting to the location are to be used. If virus free production
of planting material could be ensured, vegetative propagation through
suckers is the best method. However, vegetative propagation has the inherent
disadvantage of reducing the genetic base of cardamom. Sucker propagation
is the accepted practice in Kerala and Tamilnadu. Traditionally, cardamom
plantations were raised from seeds. It is still the common and advisable
practice in Karnataka mainly because of the rampant virus disease
infestation.
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Table 1: High yielding varieties and selections

No. Sele- Cultivar Special Area of Source Yield
ction/ distinguishing adaptability Potential
Varie- characteristics (Kg/ha)
ties
1 ICRI - 1 Malabar An early maturing South Idukki ICRI (Spices 660
profusely flowering zone of Kerala, Board)
variety, medium sized where the Myladumpara
panicle with globose, rainfall is well Idukki,
extra bold, dark green distributed Kerala
coloured capsules ñ 685 553
2 ICRI -2 Mysore Performs well under Vandanmedu Do 766
irrigated conditions. and
Suitable for higher altitude. Nelliampathy
It has medium long and of Kerala
parrot green capsules and Anamalai
and Meghamalai
of Tami Nadu
3 ICRI -3 Malabar Early maturing type, Cardamom Regional 600
non-pubescent leaves, growing tract Station,
oblong bold, parrot of Karnataka ICRI
green capsules. (Spices Board)
Saklespur
Karnataka
4 ICRI ñ 4 Malabar An early maturing Adapted to Regional 460
(TDK-4) variety adaptable to low Lowar Pulney Station
rainfall area. Medium size hills of Tamil ICRI
panicle, globose bold Nadu. (Spice Board)
parrot green capsules. Suitable for Thadiankudise)
Non pubescent leaves. low rainfall Tamil Nadu
area (1500 mm) 624 212
and having
similar
agroecological
conditions.
5 ICRI ñ 5 Malabar Hybrid variety, early bearing, Kerala and parts ICRI 2000
High yield, high oil content of Tamil Nadu (Spices
deep green a bold capsule, Board)
moderately talent to rot Idukki
disease
6 ICRI ñ 6 Malabar Regular yielder, high oil Kerala and parts ICRI 1900
content, deep green long of Tamil Nadu
bold capsule, moderately
tolerant to rot pathogens
trips, borer and drought.
7 PV -1 Malabar An early maturing variety All Cardamom Cardamom 500
with slightly ribbed light growing tracts Res. Station,
green capsules. Short in Kerala and Kerala Agri,
panicle, close racemes, parts of University
narrowly ellipsoid to Tamil Nadu Pampadumpara
elongate capsules Kerala 685556
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No. Sele- Cultivar Special Area of Source Yield

ction/ distinguishing adaptability Potential
Varie- characteristics (Kg/ha)
ties
8 PV - 2 Vazhukka High yielder, deep green Kerala CRS 1200
long bold capsule, high Pambadumpara
dry recovery percent. Idukki
9 Mudigere -1 Malabar Compact plant, suitable for In the traditional Regional Res. 275
high density planting. cardamom Station,
Tolerant to hairy caterpillars growing University
and white grubs. Short Malanad of Agri.
panicle, oval bold, pale areas of Sciences
green capsules. Tolerant to Karnataka Mudigere,
thrips and shoot borer Karnataka
pubescent leaves 577 132
10 Mudigere Malabar Suited for cultivation in Suited for Regional Res. 475
ñ2 valleys in Karnataka Karnataka Station, UAS, (Rainfed)
(Valley areas) Mudigere
11 IISR, Malabar An early maturing variety All Cardamom India Institute 400
Suvasini suitable for high density growing tracts of Spice
(CCS-1) planting long panicle, of Karnataka Research,
oblong bold, parrot green and Wynad Regional
capsules of Kerala Centre (ICAR)
Appangala
571 201
Karnataka
12 IISR Malabar Resistant to rhizome rot Kodagu, North IISR 850
Avinash disease, Suited for hot spots Wayanad, Cardamom
(RR ñ 1) of rhizome rot and leaf bilght Hassan and Research
diseases. High quality Chikmagalur Centre,
elongated capsules Appangala
Karnataka
13 IISR Malabar Tolerant to Katte disease Kodagu, North IISSR 650
Vijetha Wayanad, Hassan Cardamom
(NKE ñ and Chikmagalur Research
12) Center,
Appangala
Karnataka
Vegetative (sucker) propagation

Vegetative multiplication ensures true to type plantlets from high yielding
mother plants. Plants raised from rhizome show uniformity in growth and
come to bearing earlier than the seedling-raised plants. However, sucker
propagation carries the risk of viral disease spread and hence this method
may be best avoided in the viral disease hot spots of cardamom tract.
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Sucker multiplication may be taken up from the first week of March to

September depending upon the weather conditions. The site is selected in
open gently slopping well-drained areas near water source. Trenches of 45
cm wide and 45cm deep and convenient length are taken across the slope
along the contour at 1.8 meter apart. They are filled with equal quantity of
humus rich topsoil, sand and composted cattle manure. Uproot a part of the
high yielding disease free mother clump identified in the plantation. Care
should be taken to identify and collect mother clumps only from areas totally
free from viral diseases. Trim the roots and separate suckers so that the
minimum planting unit consists of one grown up tiller with a growing young
shoot. Plant them at a spacing of 100cm 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 onset of monsoon. Provide irrigation once in a fortnight
and adopt necessary plant protection measures. Apply fertilizers 25: 25: 50
grams per sucker NPK in two to three splits from two months after planting.
Apply neemcake @ 100-150 grams 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 with in ten
months of planting.
Seedling nursery
Primary nursery
Select nursery sites on gentle sloppy area and preferably near to a
perennial water source. Clean the area from all existing vegetation, stumps,
roots, stones etc. In the cleared area, beds can be prepared having one
meter width, 20 cm height and at required length, generally six meters. Jungle
topsoil can be spread to a thickness of two to three cm on the beds. Fumigate
the beds with two per cent formaline (10 liters per bed), which will help in
eliminating soil borne pathogens, nematodes and other soil pests. Fumigation
should be done in raised nursery beds before sowing. The beds should be
made airtight by covering with polythene sheets and the fumigant is allowed
to penetrate into the soil for two or three days. Later the treated beds should
be kept open for another week before taking up sowing.
Fully ripened bold capsules from high yielding and disease- free mother
clumps of known source can be collected from second and third harvests
for seed extraction. One kg of fresh capsules would give 350-400 fruits
depending upon variety, seed size and number of seeds/capsule. Seeds
after extraction should be washed using water to remove the mucilage. It is
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then mixed with wood ash and dried in shade. 175-200 grams seed is required
to raise quality seedlings required for one hectare. Seeds are to be sown as
early as possible, preferably within 15 days after extraction since seeds
looses its 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.
Breaking of hard seed coat through seed treatment with acid or similar
chemicals improves germination. Acid scarification with 25 per cent nitric
acid for 10 minutes to break the seed coat will enhance germination. 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 6x1 meter size bed. After sowing cover the bed with
thin layer of fine soil and then with mulch material, such as potha grass or
paddy straw. Avoid the contact of mulch material with the soil by spreading
the mulch over tree twigs laid across the bed. 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 overhead pandal. Germination
commences 20 to 25 days after sowing and continues for further 30 to 40
days. Seedlings when reach four-six leaf stage (five-six months after sowing)
is transplanted to secondary nursery
Secondary Nursery
There are two methods of raising seedling in secondary nursery: They
are bed and polybag nurseries.
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 stage 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. Over head pandal
can be erected to protect seedlings from direct sunlight.
Poly bag nursery: Black HM/HDP bags of size 20x20cm having minimum
100gsm 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.
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Cardamom plants from secondary nursery/polybags can be transplanted

to the main field during the last week of May after receipt of south west
monsoon.
Field Planting and Management
For planting in a new area, ground should be cleared and if it is replanting
area, old plants should be removed. Shade regulation, terracing and
preparation of pits should be done during summer months.
Shade regulation
Shade regulation is one of the important practices that should be
attended to during summer (March-April) in the new planting areas and
during May-June after the receipt of summer showers in the existing
plantation. If there is thick shade, chopping off branches should be done to
provide filtered light of 40 to 60 percent of the open area. Cut alternate side
branches of tree in the lower one third to half portion of the total canopy
height. Lopping should not be done on one side only. Cutting branches from
all the sides ensures a balanced canopy. South-Western slopes should be
provided with more shade than North-Eastern slopes. Shade trees should
have small leaves, tap root system and in summer, it should not shed leaves.
If area is open due to tree fall, planting of quick growing tree spices like
Karuna (Vernonia arborea), Corangati (Acrocarpus fraxinifolius), Chandana
Viambu (Toona ciliata), Njaval (Syzygium cumini), Jack tree (Atrocarpus
hetrophyllus) etc. should be taken up to protect the plants from direct sun
light.
Field preparation
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 90x90x45 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 top soil.
Planting
Planting material of high yielding variety suitable for the areas may be
selected for planting. They may be planted in the already prepared and
filled pits and plants should be protected from wind by staking. For Mysore
and Vazhukka cultivars, plants to plants distances can be 3x3 meters
(1111plants per hectare). A spacing of 2.4x2.4meters (1736 plants/ha) is
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recommended for Tamilnadu 1.8x1.8 meters spacing (3086 plants per

hectare) is suitable for Cv. Malabar in Karnataka. Immediately after planting,
the plant base should be mulched well with available dried leaves to prevent
soil erosion and conserve moisture. Planting should be done diagonally to
the slope to reduce runoff.
Weed management
Weeds are potential competitors to cardamom for water and nutrients.
At the initial stage of plant establishment, weed growth will be more. Two or
three rounds of hand weeding at the plant base during May, September and
December/January and slash weeding in the inter-space are advisable. Use
of spade for weeding is to be avoided as it will loosen the soil and cause soil
erosion. The weeded materials may be used for mulching.
Irrigation
Irrigation is required generally during summer months and also during
periods of prolonged dry spells, if it coincides with the critical periods of
plant growth where development of young tillers and panicles takes place.
Water may be stored during rainy season through various water harvesting
measures with out causing much damage to the environment. Irrigation can
be done through different methods such as pot irrigation, hose irrigation,
sprinkler irrigation, drip irrigation or micro-sprinkler/mist/fogger irrigation. Pot
irrigation or hose irrigation can be done at weekly intervals at the rate of 20-
30 liters per plant depending upon the clump size. In case of sprinkler,
irrigation with amount of water equivalent to 35 to 45 mm rain at fortnightly
intervals is recommended under normal conditions. In case of drip or micro-
sprinkler irrigation, water at the rate of five to six liters per clump per day
can be given. Fogger/mist irrigation system is used largely to create a suitable
microclimate within the plant eco-system to create favorable environment
for growth, flowering and seed setting. The frequency of operation of the
irrigation systems depends on the macroclimate in the plantation and hence
has to be standardised for specific local weather situation. Irrigation is to be
undertaken with utmost care to avoid excess wetness at the plant base for
prolonged period to prevent occurrence of azukal/rot diseases.
Soil and water conservation
Conservation of natural resources like soil and water is very important
for sustainable production of the crop. All cultural operations should be aimed
at causing least exposure of the soil to rain. Opening of rectangular silt pit
(1.0x0.5x0.6 meter) in between four plants will help in soil and water
conservation on gentle slopes. If slope is steep, construction of stone pitching
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walls at 10-20 meters intervals across the slope and also making water-
collecting trenches along drainage channels at selected intervals will be
helpful in non-landslide prone areas. However, any mechanical/permanent
soil conservation measures should be adopted based on scientific soil/
topography/rainfall based parameters under expert advice, as unscientific
based structures may lead to land sliding.
Forking and mulching
As far as possible, the entire plantation and particularly the plant base
are to be kept under mulch for reducing evaporation loss, suppress weed
growth and to maintain optimum soil temperature. It is very essential to
keep the plant base mulched (5-10 cm thick), except during periods of heavy
monsoon (June to September). Through adopting the best soil management
practices, the soils will remain loose and friable. However, in situations where
soil has become compact and hard, forking the plant base to a distance up
to 90cm and to a depth of 9-12 cm may be beneficial to enhance root
proliferation, better infiltration of summer showers and for improving soil
aeration. Forking could be done with the cessation of north east monsoon
during November/December taking care to cause least damages to the root
system.
Trashing and pruning
Trashing consists of removing old tillers, dead rhizome 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 Pseudo-stem. 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.
Earthing up
Whenever, the top soil covering the plant base is washed away and
the rhizomes and roots are exposed, earthing-up of the plant base with top
soil is recommended during November/December, before the withdrawal of
north east monsoon. While carrying out this operation, care should be
exercised to ensure that only top soil is used, and it is evenly and thinly
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.
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Lime application
The cardamom soils are generally acidic in nature. However, soil test
results indicate that in major areas of cardamom cultivation, the pH of the
soils decreased to levels that need immediate corrections over a period of
last 15 years. Application of lime/dolomite is essential if pH of the soil is
<5.5. Though the quantity of lime is to be arrived at by assessing the lime
requirement of the soil, for practical purpose, application of agricultural lime
is recommended @ one kg per plant per year for soils with pH below 5.0.
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.
Manures and fertiilser application
Cardamom responds to both manuring and fertilizer application. A soil
test based judicious manuring schedule is to be arrived at to achieve optimum
production on sustainable basis. Soil sampling procedure is given in
Annexure I. Long term manuring studies that is being carried out at ICRI,
Myladumpara indicate that an integrated nutrient application is beneficial
for sustainable production in cardamom.
Application of Organic Manures
Application of mature farmyard manure/ Compost @ 5-10Kg per plant
may be made during May/June along with rock phosphate (180 grams per
plant) and muriate of potash (90 grams/plant). The manures should be
thoroughly mixed with surface soil after application. Under irrigated condition,
manuring can be done in two splits, one in May and the subsequent
application during September. Organic manures such as neemcake (one
kg per plant), bone meal (one kg per plant) or vermicompost (one kg per
plant) have beneficial effect on root proliferation and plant growth and also
helps to reduce nematode and root grub infestation.
Schedule for the use of NPK fertilizers.
a) Soil application
Age of plants Rainfed areas Irrigated areas
(Kg/ha) (Kg/ha)
First year of planting Nitrogen -25 Nitrogen -25
Phosphorus -25 Phosphorus -25
Potassium -50 Potassium -50
(2 split application) (2 split application)
Second year of planting Nitrogen -40 Nitrogen -60
(Non-stabilized yield) Phosphorus -40 Phosphorus -60
(2 split application) (3split application)
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Third year of planting Nitrogen -75 Nitrogen -125

(Stabilized yield) Phosphorus -75 Phosphorus -125
(2 split application) (3 split application)
Zinc (Zinc sulphate) shall be applied as foliar spray @ 250 g /100 litres
twice a year.
Under high production technology, where crop is harvested from 18
months onwards, fertilizer recommendation for full-grown plantation could
be adopted from the second year onwards. Fertilisers would be applied in
smaller doses in four or more splits after every harvest or combining both
soil and foliar application of fertilsers. Whenever, the plant growth is affected
due to root damage (root grub/fusarium disease/soil compactness), foliar
application of DAP (two per cent) + MOP (two per cent ) could be adopted.
Restrain fertilizer application on disease infected plants.
Time and Method of application.
i) Time of application: Soil application - May/June
September/October
December/January
Foliar application - August/September
October/November
December/January
ii) Method of application:
Soil application
After removing the mulches around the plant base, the fertilizers may
be applied in a circular band of width 15 cm, leaving 30 cm from the plant
base and thoroughly mixed with the top five to seven cm of the surface soil
with hand fork. The fertilizer-applied area may be covered again with mulches.
Foliar application
The spray solution, containing the fertilizer in the prescribed proportions,
may be applied to the foliage of the plant covering both sides of the leaves.
The plant should have sufficient turgidity at the time of foliar application lest
it would wilt. A clear sky or even a cloudy condition may be considered
suitable for undertaking foliar application. Avoid very dry/hot periods or noon
hours for foliar spraying.
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Use of Micronutrients
Micronutrient survey conducted by ICRI showed that zinc deficiency is
widespread in cardamom soils and Boron deficiency is observed in certain
areas. Application of Zinc to the foliage is found to enhance not only
cardamom growth and yield but also the quality of the produce. Hence, it is
recommended that Zinc may be applied as a foliar spray as Zinc Sulphate
@ 250 grams/100 liters of water during April/May and Sept./Oct. Zinc should
be applied ALONE and NOT to be mixed with any insecticide/fungicide/
fertilizer since zinc may precipitate and become unavailable to the plants.
Soil application of boron in the commercial grade borax at the rate of
7.5 kg/ha is recommended in boron deficient areas. It may be applied in two
doses along with NPK fertilizers.
INTEGRATED PEST MANAGEMENT IN SMALL CARDAMOM
Small cardamom is infested by several insects, mite and nematodes.
Among the insect pests thrips, capsule/panicle/shoot borer, root grubs and
root knot nematode are the major pests. Minor pests are white fly, shoot fly,
scale insects, early capsule borer (only in Karnataka), hairy caterpillar,
lacewing bug, red spider mites, etc. Minor pests like white fly, shoot fly,
scale insects and red spider mites may become major pests under wrong
use of chemical pesticides. With integrated pest management (IPM) all the
major and minor pests on foliage can be managed effectively (Table.1-3).
An exclusive IPM is given for managing soil pests like root knot nematodes
and root grubs (Table 4). Maintaining optimum shade (50 per cent) in
cardamom plantation reduces /minimizes major and minor pests in
cardamom.
Major pests
Cardamom thrips [Sciothrips cardamomi (Ramk.)]
Thrips is the most destructive and persistent pest of cardamom and
found in all cardamom growing area. It colonise and breed in different parts
of the plant such as unopened leaves, leaf sheaths, flower bracts and flower
tubes. Adults and nymphs of the insect cause damage to panicle and
capsules. Thrips lacerate the surface tissues with mandibles and suck the
exuding plant sap. Injury to panicles result in its stunted growth, and the
injury on tender capsules develop as scabby growth on capsules. Affected
capsules appear malformed, shriveled and sometime with gaping slits. Such
capsules have less number of seeds, seeds are underdeveloped and inferior
in aroma. Affected capsules fetch a very low price in the market. Thrips
infestation results in nearly 45-48 per cent crop loss.
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Adult insect is greyish brown, 1.25 to 1.5 mm long and with two pairs of
fringed wings; females lay minute eggs below epidermis which hatch out
into nymphs in 8-12 days. Nymphs grow by feeding on plant sap; after passing
through three larval (nymph) and a non-feeding pupal stage they become
adults, thus completing the life cycle in 27 to 33 days. Population of the pest
is maximum in summer (February-May), minimum in rainy periods (June-
July) and low in August-December.
Shoot/ Panicle/ Capsule borer [ Conogethes punctiferalis (Guen.)]
Infestation of borer on capsule, panicle and shoot is a serious problem

on cardamom in Kerala, Tamilnadu and Karnataka. The pest is the larva of
a lepidopteron, Conogethes (Dichocrocis) punctiferalis (Guen.). Adult is a
medium sized orange yellow moth (22-24mm) with a number of black dots
on its wings.
The moths feed on nectar and do not cause direct damage to cardamom.
A female moth lays about 20-35 eggs singly or in groups of two or three on
leaf margin, leaf axils, panicles and racemes.
Eggs hatch within five-six days. Emerging larvae bore into tender
panicles or unopened leaf spindle or immature capsules. When panicle and
racemes are attacked, portion ahead of the site of entry dries off. In case of
the capsules, the larvae feed on the seed and the capsules become empty.
At a later stage the larvae bore into the shoots. They feed the central core of
the pseudostem resulting in decaying of the central spindle and the
characteristic dead heart symptom develops. A fully grown larva is 30-35
mm long with pale purple body and black head. After a prepupal period of
two-four days, it becomes a brown pupa. Adult emerges in about 11-15
days from pupa through the bore hole. The life cycle is completed within 41-
68 days during summer and prolongs upto 123 days in post monsoon period.
Pest infestation is pronounced in three season: January- February, May-

June and September-October. However, overlapping generation do occur
in between. Insecticide sprays at late stages of the larvae which bore in
pseudostem may not give adequate control of the pest. For an effective
management, the insecticide has to be targeted on early stages of the larvae,
which are usually present on panicles/ racemes within 15-20 days after
adult emergence in the field. Injection of insecticide/Bacillus thuringiensis
16
(Biological insecticide) solution through the bore hole is also a method for
controlling larvae in pseudostems.
Early capsule borer (Jamides alecto)
It is a minor pest of cardamom in Karnataka regions and may be serious

in a few pockets. Caterpillars of this insect bore and feed flower buds,
flowers and capsules. A circular hole is made on immature capsule and the
larva feeds the entire seed making it empty. The pest incidence is seen
during June to September.
Adult is a medium sized blue butterfly with metallic lusture on

the upper surface. Larval period lasts for 18-20 days. Each larva feeds about
25-27 capsules to attain maturity. Pupation takes place in debris near the
inflorescence. The life cycle is completed within 38-45 days.
Root grub [Basilepta fulvicorne (Jacoby)]
Root grub is a serious pest damaging the roots of cardamom. Nutrient

uptake is reduced due to root damage leading to yellowing of leaves; the
pest problem is severe in less shaded area.
Adult of the pest is a small beetle four ñsix mm length shiny metallic
blue, green or greenish brown colour. Females are bigger than males. They
are seen on cardamom leaves during morning and evening hours but do
not feed on cardamom. The beetles feed on leaves of jack (Artocarpus
heterophylla, mango (Mangifera indica), guava (Psidium guajava), dadeps
(Erthrypina lithosperma), etc.
Beetles occur in MarchñApril and August-September. Females lay about

124-393 eggs in batches of 12-63 on dry cardamom leaves or mulches.
The minute creamy white grubs hatch out from eggs, fall on the ground,
reach root zone and start feeding the roots. Grubs have two periods of
occurrence, the first during April-July and the second during September to
January.
Grubs (larvae) feed on roots, become mature in 45-60 days; they are
short and stout, íCí shaped. Pupation takes place in an earthen cocoon.
The pest completes life cycle in 65-102 days during first generation (March-
August) and 73-111 days during second generation (September-February).
17
INTEGRATED MANAGEMENT OF CARDAMOM ROOT GRUB
Stage of pest & Period of Method of control

occurrence
Adult beetle Mechanical control:

March ñ April & Collection and destruction of
August ñ September adult with insectnet.
Chemical control:
Insecticide sprayed for thrips / shoot
borer can also reduce grubs by direct
killing of adults as well as deterring the
beetles from egg laying.
Biological control:Spray of fungus
suspension (Beauveria bassiana @
108 spores/ml) on adult beetle.
Early stage GrubApril/May &
September/October Chemical control:Chlorpyriphos
20 EC 0.04 per cent a.i. (200 ml in 100
liters of water; two-five liters drenching
at plant base).Phorate 10G 20-40
grams per clump (to be applied within
four-six inches around the clump).
Biological control:Soil application of
Metarhizium anisopliae (@ 108 spores
/gm) 25gms/plant mixed with
compost.Local strain of EPN
(Heterorhabditis indica) application @
1,00,000 nematodes (ijs) / plant.
Nematodes (Meloidogyne spp.)

Root knot nematodes, (Meloidogyne spp) infest 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.
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Egg, larva and adult are the different stages in the life cycle of the pest.
Second stage larvae infect rootlets and induce formation of giant cells called
galls. Larvae moult thrice and form adults. Female secretes a gelatinous
matrix into which eggs are extruded.
Frequent change of nursery beds will help to reduce nematode infection
in nurseries. In case of infection in nurseries, application of carbofuran @
80 grams per six square meter bed will control the pest. In plantation,
carbofuran @ 60-80 grams per plant or 20-40 grams of phorate with 300-
500 grams of neem oil cake per plant in May-June and /or September bring
down nematode infestation. Increasing the root biomass with application of
compost/ vermicompost result in sustained management of the pest.
Deficiency of micronutrient, zinc in the soil may also show symptoms of
nematode infestation viz, narrowing of leaves. Foliar spray of zinc sulphate
at 500ppm (250grams /100 liters water) corrects the zinc deficiency and
reduces nematode infestation.
Minor pests
Cardamom whitefly [Singhiella cardamomi]
Whitefly is considered a minor pest, but severe infestation is noticed in
plantations where Synthetic Pyrethroids is used consistently or higher than
the recommended concentration of insecticides are used or when more
frequent insecticide spray than the recommended level or when mixing of
two or more insecticides are done or when spraying with one or two
insecticides of the same brand throughout the year.
The adult fly is a small soft bodied insect about two mm long with two
pairs of white wings. Female lays eggs on the lower surface of leaves; eggs
are cylindrical, pale yellow when freshly laid and gradually turn brown. There
are four nymphal stages. The first instar larva crawls on the leaf and finds
out a feeding site in the lower surface of leaves and all the later stages are
completed at that spot. The nymphs are elliptical and pale green to yellow.
The nymph and adult suck sap from leaves and the leaf becomes yellow
and subsequently dry leading to drastic reduction in yield. The nymphs and
adult excrete sticky honey dew which drops on to lower leaves., black sooty
mould develops on these, which interrupts photosynthesis of the leaves.
Puparia, which adhere to the leaves after emergence of adults, appear as
scaly patches on lower surface of affected leaves. The life cycle is completed
within two-three week.
The flies are attracted towards yellow colour. Yellow plastic sheets
19
coated with castor oil or grease will serve as sticky traps. By placing such
yellow sticky traps (YST) between rows of cardamom plants, population of
adults can be monitored as well as controlled. Nymphs can be effectively
controlled by spraying a mixture of neem oil (500ml) and Triton (500 ml)/
soap solution in 100 liters of water on the lower surface of leaves.
Hairy caterpillars
They are a group of defoliator caterpillars on of cardamom and are
polyphagous. Eight species of hairy caterpillars have been found to damage
cardamom plants. Among them Eupterote undata, E. fabia, E. cardamomi,
E. canairica, E. mollis and E. blanda are more destructive. They occur
sporadically, feeding shade tree leaves at early stages and cardamom leaves
at later stage. Moths emerge in June-July and lay about 300-400 eggs on
the under surface of leaves of shade trees. Eggs hatch in 15-25 days. Larval
stages extend up to three months. When the north eastern monsoon ceases,
caterpillars drop down to cardamom and start feeding on its leaves. Larvae
make cocoons within which they pupate.
Larvae can be collected and destroyed. Since they congregate on tree
trunks during day time, mechanical control becomes easy.
Shoot fly [Formosina flavipes]
The adult fly lays cigar-shaped white eggs in between leaf sheath and
pseudostem on the top whorl. Emerging maggots (larvae) enter the
pseudostem reach down the base by feeding the core tissue resulting in
drying of the terminal leaf (Dead Heart Symptom). Infestation is more on
plants in open area; the pest activity starts during November and is at its
peak in March-April. The spray given for the major pests like thrips and
borer also keeps down shoot fly infestation.
Lace wing bug [Stephanitis typicus]
It is a polyphagous pest and seen as a group. Nymphs and adults are
found on lower surface of leaves. They suck the cell sap from leaves, resulting
in greyish yellow spots on leaves. Adult is a small dull coloured bug with
transparent lace wings. Damage is very severe in summer months in certain
isolated pockets in open areas.
Red spider mites (Tetranychus sp.)
Red spider mite is a minor pest and occurs on cardamom in small
numbers during summer months without causing serious damage. The mite
becomes serious pest only in plantation where insecticide spray is too
20
frequent, with higher concentration or consistent spray of synthetic

pyrethroids. Frequent spray of copper oxychloride also induces red spider
mite resurgence. Excess application of nitrogen may attract mite infestation.
The mites spin webs on the under surface of the leaves and live inside the
webs. They are dark brown and actively moves about inside the web on the
lower surface of leaf. They puncture the plant cells with their cheliceral stylets
and suck the cellular material, which reduces the chlorophyll content. This
results in the formation of characteristic white blotches on the leaves and
devitalization of plants. The affected leaves look dirty white; the under surface
of the infested leaf with fine delicate silken thread, eggs and excreta looks
ashy white and dusty. The affected leaves gradually dry up and in severe
cases it leads to the death of the plants. The mites can also infest the tillers
and panicles, if the leaves are already dried. Mite takes 15 to 20 days (egg
to adult) to complete the life cycle. The adult lives for about 28 days. Spray
Sulphur 80 per cent WP 200grams /100 liters of water. Repeat the spray15-
20 days, if the control is not satisfactory. Alternatively Phosalone 35EC @
200ml/100 litres of water could also be used. The under surface of the leaves
should be thoroughly covered while spraying pesticides for mite control
Mid rib caterpillar ( Metapodistis polychrysa Meyrick):
Caterpillars of this insect feed on unopened leaves of cardamom. First
instar larvae makes a hole almost at the middle of an unopened leaf, enter
through the hole and feed on one half of the lamina as well as part of the
mid rib from its point of entry. The caterpillar is pale green and one cm long
when fully grown. Large black dots are present dorsally on head and the
last abdominal segment. Larval period lasts for 12-15 days. It pupates in a
silken cocoon and after 15-18 days of pupal period blackñbrown moths
emerge having two golden stripes on their wings. The insect completes its
life cycle in 30-35 days.
Cardamom aphid (Pentalonia nigronervosa f. caladii van der Goot):
The cardamom aphid is of concern not as a pest of the crop, but as a
vector of the virus, which causes the serious disease ëKatteí in cardamom.
Adults are dark brown in colour. They reproduce by viviparous and
parthenogenetic means. A female may give birth to 8-28 offsprings. The
nymphs moult thrice and become adults in about 15 days. Population of the
insect is high during January-February. They are also found on Colocasia
sp., Alocasia sp. and Caladium sp.
Cutworm (Acrilasisa plagiata M.)
Cutworms are commonly seen to feed during night on tender cardamom
21
leaves in nurseries. Infestation is noticed during January-March. The fully-

grown caterpillar is dark brown with an orange red head and a hump-like
projection dorsally on the eighth segment. It pupates in soil for a period of
17-18 days.
INTEGRATED PEST MANAGEMENT IN SMALL CARDAMOM
Cultural control
a. Prune dried leaves in January end (before first spray), and also in
September.
b. Trash dried panicles, shoot and leaves in May end.
These operations clear the dried parts of plants and facilitate spray
fluid falling on panicles and young shoots.
Trap crop
Shoot borer larva prefers to feed on castor capsules than on cardamom;
if castor is grown on open area /boundary, borer may infest castor
inflorescence/ capsule and they may be destroyed by crushing castor
capsules infested with shoot borer larva.
Biological control
If fresh borer is seen on the tiller, inject Bacillus thuringiensis (@2 ml/l
water) 5-10 ml through borehole.
Behavioral control
The early capsule borer Jamides alecto can be managed by clipping
the inflorescence/flower parts of alternate hosts viz., Alpinia speciosa, Alpinia
mutica, Amomum ghaticum, Amomum pterocarpum, Curcuma heilyherrensis,
Hedydium ceranarium during offseason (December to May).
Chemical control
For Kerala
Rain fed Irrigated

First spray (February First spray (February 1st week)
1st week) Quinalphos (OR) Phenthoate @ 200
Quinalphos (OR) ml (or) 150ml /100 liters water.
Phenthoate @ 200 ml
Second spray (March 1st week)
(or) 150ml /100 liters of water.
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Rain fed Irrigated

Second spray (March Profenophos @ 150 ml/
2nd week) Profenophos 100 liters water.
(OR)Monocrotophos @
150 ml (or) 200ml / Third spray (April 1st week)
100 liters water. Chlorpyriphos(OR) Phosalone
@ 200 ml/ 100 liters water.
Third spray (April 3rd
week)Chlorpyriphos (OR) Fourth spray (May 1st week)
Phosalone @200 ml/ Acephate 200 gm in 100 liters water.
100 liters water.
Fifth spray (June 1st week)
Fourth spray (May 4th Monocrotophos @ 200ml /100 liters
week) Acephate (150 gm) water
in 100 liters. water.
Sixth spray (July end / August)
Fifth spray (July end) Quinalphos (OR) Phenthoate
Quinalphos (OR) @ 200 ml(or) 150ml /100 liters
Phenthoate @
200 ml (or) 150ml / Water
100 liters water. Seventh spray (September)
Sixth spray (Sep. / Oct.) Profenophos @ 150 ml/100 liters
Profenophos(OR) water.
Monocrotophos @ Eighth spray (early November)
150 ml (or) 200ml / Monocrotophos@200ml/
100 liters. water. 100 liters. water
Seventh spray Ninth spray (December 3rd week)
(December)
Methylparathion @ Methylparathion 100 ml / 100
liters water.
100 ml /100 liters water.
For Tamil Nadu rainfed conditions (Lower Pulneys)

Chemical control (Tentative schedule)
First spray (December-January)
Monocrotophos @200 ml (OR) Quinalphos @200 ml in 100 liters. of
water.
Second spray (March-April)
Chlorpyriphos @200 ml in 100 liters of water.
Third spray (May-June)
Profenofos @ 150ml in 100 liters.of water.
Fourth spray (August)
Quinalphos @ 200ml (OR) Monocrotophos@ 200ml in 100 liters of water.
Fifth spray (October)
Methyl parathion@ 100ml in 100 liters of water.
23
For Karnataka region
Chemical control (Tentative Schedule)

First spray ñJanuary
Quinalphos @ 200ml in 100 liters of water
Second spray -March
Chlorpyriphos (or) Monocrotophos @200ml /100 liters of water.
Third spray -May
Phasalone @ 200ml/in 100 liters of water.
Fourth spray -September-October
Profenophos@ 150ml (or) Methyl parathion @100ml in 100
liters of water.
TIPS ON PLANT PROTECTION

Method of spraying
For effective management of thrips and shoot borer, panicles and 1/3
portion of the plants from base of the clumps, covering panicles and young
tillers, may be sprayed with insecticides. Approximately 400 to 900ml of
spray solution is sufficient per clump (depending on the size of the clump).
The first application of insecticide should coincide with the panicle initiation,
and it may be either in February or March. The insecticide imposition has to
be done only with high volume sprayer (manual or mechanized), and care
should be taken to avoid spray run off. Insecticide spray can be avoided
during heavy rain. A sticking agent @ 50ml/100 liters may be added during
rainy period.
Method of soil application of insecticides (root grubs & root knot
nematodes)
Application of Phorate 10G or carbofuran 3G may be done for the
management of root grubs or root knot nematode subject to the condition
that enough soil moisture is available either by rainfall or irrigation at the
time of application. While applying above granules it may be spread upto 4-
6î around the clump and covered with soil. Under poor soil moisture condition,
Chlorpyriphos 20EC @ 0.04 per cent (2 to 5 liters per clump) may be
drenched in soil around and inside the clump for root grub management.
24
Why natural enemies (Biocontrol agents) needed?

Being a valuable spice used domestically and exported, insecticide
usage should be kept at barest minimum on cardamom not only to keep the
residue below tolerance limits, but also to conserve natural enemies of pests.
Excessive use of insecticides kills not only pests but also the natural
enemies of cardamom, which leads to out-break of minor pests like whiteflies,
red-spider mites, etc. Certain stages of pests viz. late stages of shoot borer
/ hairy caterpillars can not be controlled by application of insecticides, which
are controlled only by their natural enemies. Under such condition, the natural
enemies should be conserved and augmented to have the natural regulation
of pests of cardamom by their natural enemies.
The honey bees Apis cerana indica and Apis dorsata are the major
pollinators of cardamom flowers. Pollination occurs during foraging activity
of the bees which is maximum between 7 to 11am. Honey bee visits almost
every flower in a clump. Bee visits found to increase fruit set and four bee
colonies per hectare is recommended for effective pollination in cardamom.
Increase in fruit set in cardamom was observed due to pollination by honey
bees; the number of seeds per capsule as well as the recovery percentage
of dry capsule is also higher in beehive-installed plots. Hence, honeybee
hives has to be installed; honeybees in tree holes or in natural holes in
cardamom plantations have to be protected.
Methods to conserve and augment natural enemies/pollinators:
1. Insecticides should be used judiciously at recommended rates on need-

basis (IPM), rather than on calendar basis.
2. As for as possible dust formulation of insecticides may be avoided for

pest management.
3. In addition to adoption of need-based insecticides, cultural, mechanical

and behavioral management strategies may also be followed.
4. On the previous evening of insecticide spray in the field, honeybee

hives may be closed with moist cloth and colony may be provided with
sugar syrup. The hives can be opened on the next day of spray.
5. Honeybee hives having infected larvae may be removed from the hive.
6. Periodical removal of old honeycomb and introduction of new

honeycombs in appropriate seasons will avoid wax moth trouble.
25
7. Maintenance of optimum shade (about 50 per cent) with trees like

Vernonia which flower during January ñFebruary will encourage
honeybees.
By integrating all the plant protection techniques with the timely and
required plant protection measures, the pest problem in cardamom could
be reduced economically to a great extent and also the natural enemy/
honey bee population could be conserved / augmented.
DISEASES AND THEIR MANAGEMENT
NURSERY DISEASES
Incidence and spread of diseases often interfere with the successful
raising of cardamom seedlings. The major diseases observed in the nursery
are leaf spots, damping off or seedling rots and leaf rots. Two types of leaf
spots occur in the nursery. These are:
Primary nursery leaf spot (Phyllosticta elettariae)
Leaf spot caused by the fungus Phyllosticta elettariae is a destructive
disease especially in nurseries of Karnataka area. In other areas it is a
minor disease. It appears mostly during February ñ April months with receipt
of summer rains.
Disease appears as small round or oval spots, which are dull, white in
colour. These spots later become necrotic and leave a hole (shot hole) in
the center. The spots may be surrounded by water soaked area. High intensity
of disease is noticed in open nurseries exposed to direct sunlight. In such
cases, numerous spots develop on the leaves and ultimately the leaves are
more susceptible to leaf spot incidence. Seedlings develop tolerance as
they grow old.
Disease Management
Prophylactic spraying with fungicides such as Indofil M 45 0.2 per cent
may be given on the leaves. First spray is to be given during March-April
depending on the receipt of summer showers and subsequent sprays at
fortnightly intervals. Two to three rounds of spraying may be given. Clipping
and destruction of severely affected leaves after spraying is to be done to
arrest further spread to the remaining healthy leaves.
In addition to fungicidal sprays, the following supplementary measures
also may be followed.
26
a) Sow the seeds in August-September, to ensure sufficient growth of

seedlings, so that they may develop sufficient tolerance to the disease.
b) Avoid exposure to direct sunlight from top or sides. Use coir geo-textiles
or agro shade nets or coconuts fronds for shade. When jungle leaves
are used for thatching, sloppy roofing may be provided.
c) Do not raise the nursery continuously in the same site.
Secondary nursery leaf spot (Cercospora zingiberi)
In grown up seedlings of the secondary nursery, another type of leaf
spot is of common occurrence. Symptoms are yellowish to reddish brown
coloured rectangular patches seen on the lamina. These will be almost
parallel to the side veins. The mature lesions show a muddy red colour. The
fungus Cercospora zingiberi causes the disease. Spraying of Indofil M 45
0.2 per cent can effectively control the disease.
Nursery leaf rot
This disease is seen in young seedlings of three to four months old. It

is not wide spread in occurrence; but seen only in a few nurseries. The
symptoms are development of water soaked lesions on the leaves, which
later become necrotic patches leading to decay of affected areas. Usually
the leaf tip and distal portions are damaged. In severe cases rotting extends
to petiole and leaf sheaths also. It is caused by fungi such as Fusarium sp.
Alternaria sp. etc.
To control this disease avoid excessive watering of seedlings. Spray

0.2 per cent Indofil M-45, twice at 15 days interval after destroying the infected
leaf portions.
Damping off or seedling rot
The disease appears usually in the nursery where seeds germinate

(primary nursery) during rainy season when there is excessive soil moisture
due to improper drainage.
Leaves turn pale and their tips become yellow. Gradually, these
symptoms spread over the entire leaf extending to leaf sheath resulting in
wilting of seedlings. The collar portion decays and the entire seedlings die.
Infection spreads in the nursery beds resulting in death of seedlings in small
patches. In grown up seedlings, rotting extends form the collar region to the
rhizomes resulting in their decay and ultimate death of the plant. The disease
is caused by soil borne fungi such as Pythium vexans and Rhizoctonia
27
solanie. Fusarim oxysproum also causes similar seedling rot resulting in

the wilting of the entire seedlings.
The disease can be managed as follows:
a) In the primary nursery, practice thin sowing for avoiding overcrowding

of seedlings.
b) Provide adequate drainage facilities.
c) Remove affected seedlings early and maintain proper phytosanitary

measure in nursery.
d) Fumigate the nursery beds by treating with formalin (formaldehyde 2

per cent at 1:50 dilution) for three days under polythene sheets at the
rate 15 liters per square meter at least 15 days prior to sowing.
e) When infection is noticed, drench the nursery beds with Copper
oxychloride 0.2per cent .
f) Pretreatment of seeds with Trichoderma or Pseudomonas before
sowing.
g) Application of Tricohderma @ 100 grams per square meter of bed.
Clump rot (Rhizome rot)
This disease occurs in mature seedlings (6 to 18 months old) of the
secondary nursery. It is seen during the monsoon season when soil moisture
is excess due to improper drainage.
Early symptoms on leaves appear as pale yellow colour, partial of leaf
margins and withering of seedlings. Rotting or decay starts at the collar
region and it spreads to rhizomes and roots. In severe cases, the collar
region breaks off and the seedling collapse. The disease is caused by the
soil-borne fungi Pythium vexans and Rhizoctonia solani. Rotting of roots
due to Fusarium sp. is also observed.
The following steps are recommended for managing the disease
a) Uproot and destroy all the affected seedlings in a nursery.
b) Regulate irrigation of nursery beds. Do not use excess water for
irrigation.
c) Remove mulch materials for nursery beds and rake the soil gently.
28
d) Drench the nursery beds with Copper oxychloride (COC) (0.2%) at the
rate three to five liters per square mater.
Two to three rounds of COC may be drenched at 15 days interval.
DISEASE MANAGEMENT IN PLANTATION
ëKatteí (Mosaic) Disease
The disease is prevalent in all cardamom growing areas in India. It is
one of the major diseases of cardamom.
ëKatteí disease affects plants of all ages. The first visible symptoms
appear on the youngest leaf of affected tillers as spindle shaped chlorotic
flecks. Later, these flecks develop into slender discontinuous strips of pale
green and dark green margin. As the disease advances, subsequent leaves
show characteristic mosaic symptoms. The leaf sheaths and pseudostems
also show mosaic pattern. Mature leaves formed before infection does not
develop symptoms. The infection is systemic in nature and gradually spreads
to all tillers of affected plant. Immediately after infection, there is no growth
reduction but within one to two years after infection, there is a gradual
reduction in clump size. In advanced stages, the affected plants produce
shorter and slender tillers with a few shorter panicles. ëKatteí affected plants
do not die but the plants give very poor yield. The yield reduction has been
found to be 70 per cent within three years after infection.
The disease is systemic and it is caused by cardamom mosaic virus.
Viral particles are present in all parts of affected plants excepts in mature
seeds. The disease is not transmitted through seeds or by mechanical means
either by contact or through cutting tools. The disease is transmitted by the
common banana aphid Pentalonai nigronervosa Coq. Even a single aphid
can pick up and transmit the virus within a few minutes without incubation
period in the vector. All stages of the vector viz., the nymphs, winged and
non-winged forms of adults can transmit the disease.
Initial inoculums enter a non-diseased plantation through infected
planting material. Once the disease enters a plantation the spread is internal
through the vector. Disease incubation period (time required for symptom
expression) in the plant varies from 35 to 120 days is different months.
Usually during summer, delayed appearance of symptoms is noticed. ëVector
population is high from December to May.
Management of ëKatteí disease
As long as katte inoculum is present in the field, any formulation of
29
insecticides fails to prevent the disease spread. Diseased plants cannot be

cured but the losses can be minimized by adopting the following measures;
a) Keep a constant surveillance on the occurrence of katte disease.
b) Plant only healthy ëkatteí free seedlings for raising plantations.
c) Avoid rhizome planting using materials taken from disease affected
gardens.
d) Practice regular rouging (uproot and destroy)
e) Repeat tracing of affected plants and rouging at week intervals for at
least four consecutive months.
f) Gap fill with healthy disease free materials.
g) Destroy alternative host plants like Amomum, Alpinia, Curcuma,
Colocasia etc. if they show symptoms of katte.
Nilgiri necrosis disease
It is a viral disease like ëkatteí. It was recently observed in Nilgiri area
and subsequently in Valparai in Anamalai, lower Pulneys and Munnar areas.
As compared to ëkatteí it is of limited occurrence.
Diseased plants show alternate light green and whitish to yellowish
streaks on the leaves in the form of mosaic. Later these stripes become
necrotic with reddish brown colour followed by tearing of lamina. The leaves
are crinkled with wavy margin. The reddish brown necrotic areas later dry
off. Tillers show reduction in height.
In advanced stages of infection, severe stunting of plants is seen. Tillers
are narrow, panicles become shorter with few reduced capsules which often
show symptoms of cracking. In extreme stage of disease no panicle is
formed.
Nilgiri necrosis is not transmitted through seed or mechanical means
but the disease is easily carried through infected rhizomes. So far, no insect
vector is known to transmit the disease. The method adopted for ìKatteî
control can also be followed for managing Nilgiri necrosis disease.
Kokke kandu disease (Cardamom vein clearing)
Recently a new viral disease is found to be widely spreading in plantation
of Karnataka state. In Kannada, it is called ëKokke kanduí which means
hooked tiller. It is first observed in Hongedehalla which is the hot spot area
of this disease. Later it spread to Sirsi and Somawarpet areas.
30
Diseased plants shows symptoms on the tillers and leaves.

Characteristic mottling develops on the foliage which later show sever vein
clearing. Yellow stripes or steaks run parallel to the side veins. Leaves are
arranged in a rosette manner at the tip of the tiller with much reduced
internodes. The tiller height is also reduced. In advanced stages of infection,
tillers are stunted and their tips form hook like structures after the younger
most leaf roll gets hooked up in the leaf sheaths; Panicle length and number
of capsules are much reduced. In extreme stages, no panicles and capsules
are produced and the yield loss is almost 100 percent.
The disease spreads rapidly to nearby areas and the infected plants
decline in a short period of one to two years. No seed or sap transmission is
noticed. The disease spreads easily through infected rhizomes as in a case
of katte and NNV diseases. The banana aphid Pentalonia nigronervosa is
found to be its natural vector. It transmits disease in a non-persistant manner.
There is no incubation period in the vector. About 30 to 40 days are
recombined transmission of ëkatteí and ëkokke kanduí by the aphid is observed
in the same plant. The disease is caused by cardamom vein clearing virus.
As it is a systemic viral disease, infected plants can never be cured.
Plant sanitation is the only preventive measure. The methods recommended
for katte control can be followed for management of ëkokke kanduí disease
also.
Azhukal or capsule rot disease
Azhukal (rotting) is caused by the fungus Phytophthora nicotianae and
P.meadii. The disease starts with the onset of South-West monsoon in June
and becomes severe during July-August months. It may continue to prevail
upto November- December, if weather is favorable for development.
Symptoms of rotting appear on all plant parts. First symptoms appear
on the young leaves or on capsules in the form of water soaked lesions. In
leaves, these areas enlarge, become necrotic and gradually the leaves shrivel
and begin to shred. Finally, the affected leaves break at the base of the
petiole and remain hanging. Rot affects the capsules of all ages. Affected
immature capsules soon decay and fall off within three to five days and
mature capsules get shriveled on drying. Infection on the panicle appears
usually on panicle tip and proceeds downwards. Such portions later dry off
or decay if moisture is in excess. In severe cases, infection spreads over to
the rhizomes and tillers also. Decayed tillers break and fall off at the collar
region. All the varieties are susceptible to the disease; however Cv. Malabar
is more severely affected due to this disease. The disease spreads through
soil, water and wind.
31
The predisposing factors favouring ëazhukalí incidence, are heavy and

continuous rainfall, excess soil moisture, thick shade, over crowding of plants
and prevalence of inoculum in the soil. The disease can be managed by the
following methods.
a) Phytosanitation
i) Trashing and cleaning the plant base are to be carried out during May
before the onset of monsoon.
ii) Thick shade may be regulated by gentle lopping of tree branches.
iii) Provide drainage in low lying and marshy areas.
iv) Destroy the ëazhukalí affected portions and plant debris.
b) Fungicidal applications
After completing the above mentioned plant sanitation measures, the
plants may be sprayed with one of the following fungicides.
i) Bordeaux mixture one per cent or ii) Aliette 80WP (0.2 per cent or
200 grams/100 liters of water) (Potassium Phosphonate) (0.5% - 5ml/liter
of water).
The first spray should be done during May-June before the onset of
monsoon and subsequent spray may be done during July-August. A third
spray may be given in the month of September if the monsoon is prolonged
and disease is still persistent.
Spray Bordeaux mixture on the entire portion of the plant at the rate
500 ml to one liter per plant. Drenching plant base with Copper Oxy Chloride
(COC) (0.2 per cent) was found effective in reducing soil inoculum and further
disease spread
The fungicide Aliette (0.2 per cent) also can be sprayed on the leaves
at the rate of 500-750 ml per plant.
Clump rot or rhizome rot
It is also a fungal disease occurring during the monsoon seasons.
Symptoms of disease are yellowing of leaves and decay of tillers starting
form the collar region. The decay extends to the rhizomes and roots also.
Rotten rhizomes become soft, dark brown coloured and ultimately result in
the total death of the plant. Affected tillers fall off by a slight disturbance.
The disease is caused by soil-borne fungi such as Pythium vexans,
Rhizoctonia solani and Fusarium sp. (in a few cases). In some cases, a
pink colour develops at the collar region which later leads to rotting.
32
The disease can be managed by:

a) Plant sanitation as described in the case of ëazhukalí disease has to be
followed to control this disease.
b) The plant base is to be drenched with two to three liters of COC (0.20
per cent). Repeat COC drenching at 30 days intervals for two to three
times depending on the severity and extent of disease spread.
Bio-control of rot diseases
Studies show that azhukal and rhizome rot can be controlled to some
extent with the bio-agent Trichoderma. It is an antagonistic soil fungus acting
against the rot pathogens. The fungus has green colour and grows
abundantly on cowdung and organic crop residues such as coffee husk, tea
waste, coir compost, sorghum grains, wheat bran, rice bran etc. Trichoderma
viride or T. harzianum specific to cardamom can be mass multiplied on
carrier media and these can be applied to plant basins at the rate of one kg
per 100 kg of cowdung during May, August ñ September and October months
after phytosanitation. Usually one pre-monsoon during May and one post
monsoon during (September - October) are recommended.
While Trichoderma is applied in the soil no fungicide should be drenched
in the soil. However, Bordeaux mixture can be sprayed before the application
of Trichoderma.
If the soil is drenched with COC or other fungicides, Trichoderma should
be applied only after 15 days.
In severely diseased areas, first one or two rounds of fungicides can
be applied. 15 days after this, Trichoderma can be used. Avoid mixing copper
fungicides with Trichoderma.
MINOR DISEASES
Chenthal
The disease is seen in almost all areas of cardamom cultivation. Initial
symptoms appear as water soaked lesion on young leaves. Later these
become yellowish to reddish brown with a pale yellow hallo. In severe cases,
it leads to the withering of leaves and withering of psuedostems. The disease
intensity is found to be severe in open areas where shade in inadequate. ë
Chenthalí was reported to be caused by Corynebacterium sp. However latest
studies showed that it is not a bacterial disease. It is caused by a fungus
called Colleotrichum gloeosporioides.
33
The intensity of the disease can be reduced by providing adequate

shade in the plantations. Fungicides such as Bavistin (0.2per cent) or
COC(0.2 per cent ) effectively control the disease. A minimum of two rounds
of spray at 30 days interval is required.
Leaf blotch
It is caused by the fungus Phaeodactylium alpiniae, Symptoms develop
as drank brown blotches on the leaves during monsoon season. Later, on
the under side of these blotches, the fungal mycelium and spores develop
as grey brown masses. The disease can be controlled by one to three rounds
of spraying with Bordeaux mixture one per cent or Mancozeb 0.2per cent.
Leaf spots and leaf rusts
Various types of leaf spots are found to affect the leaves. These are
Sphaceloma leaf spot casued by Sphaceloma cardamomi, Cercospora leaf
spot caused by Cercospora zingiberi and leaf rust caused by Phakospora
elettariae.
The Sphaceloma leaf spot is seen in main plantation as scattered
spherical bloches on the leaves. These start as small spots measuring a few
mm and later several spots coalese to from larger areas.
The Cercospora leaf spots are found in the nursery and plantations in
the form of rectangular muddy red stripes running along the veins.
Leaf rust is often seen on mature leaves as whitish powdery pustules
on the under surface of the leaves with corresponding yellow necrotic patches
on the upper surface. Diseased leaves show a rusty appearance.
The leaf spots can be reduced to some extent by spraying with
fungicides such as Indofil M45 (0.2 per cent) or Bavistin (0.2 per cent). For
leaf rust, fungicide Indofil M45 (Mancozeb) (0.2 per cent) spray may be
given at 15 days intervals.
Capsule brown spots
Capsule brown spot also called as anthracnoses disease is caused by
the fungus Colletorichum gloeosporioides Disease symptoms appear as
small round reddish brown lesions on the pericarp of the capsule. On
maturation, these spots become soft reddish sunken areas. On cured
capsules also the spots retain their red colour. The disese can be controlled
by spraying with 0.2 per cent Bavistin or 0.2 per cent Indofil M 45 (Mancozeb).
34
Leaf blight
Leaf blight or drying of leaves in patches is observed during October to
February months. In areas covered by severe fog the severity is more. Brown
dry areas of varying sizes develop on the lamina. It is caused by Phytophthora
meadii . It can be controlled by one or two rounds of spraying with one per
cent Bordeaux mixture or 0.2 per cent Aliette or 0.5 per cent Akomin
(Potassium Phosphonate).
Pseudostem rot
This disease is generally seen during the post- monsoon period and
may last up to summer months. Round to oval shaped brown lesions develop
on the pseudostem. These later elongate and as infection proceeds deeper
layer of the pseudostem gets discoloured. The Pseudostem breaks at this
point. The disease is caused by Fusarium oxysporum. Spraying with 0.2
per cent Bavastin 0.2 per cent or Hexaconazole 0.2 per cent will control the
disease.
Root tip root
This disease also occurs during post monsoon period. The severity is
more during summer. The symptoms are development of rotting of the root
tips followed by die back of roots. The lower leaves of affected tillers become
yellowish and gradually dry off. Fusarium oxysporum is the causal agent.
Spraying and soil drenching with 0.2 per cent Bavistin or Contaf 0.2 per
cent (drenching only) are the recommended control measures and the
applications may be repeated at 15 ñ 20 days intervals.
Panicle wilt
Drying symptoms appear on panicle tips, leading to die back of the
panicles. The disease is more prevalent during post monsoon period. It is
caused by Fusarium sp. The suggested control measure is spraying with
0.2 per cent Bavistin.
Application of consortium of bioagents (Trichoderma and Psuedomonas
in a mixture) as spray and drenching before disease appearance is feasible
in reducing disease incidence and spread.
HARVESTING AND POST HARVESTING
Good quality of the produce can be achieved through timely harvest
and adoption of scientific post harvest operations. The flowering in cardamom
starts after one or two years after planting depending upon the type of planting
materials employed in planting. Flowering in cardamom continues normally
35
for a protracted period of six to eight months. It takes 120 ñ 135 days to
form a ripened capsule under favourable environmental conditions. Lack of
synchronised flowering necessasitates several rounds of harvest at an
interval of 25 to 30 days. By and large, harvesting starts from June ñ July
and continues till January ñ February in Kerala and Tamilnadu whereas in
Karnataka it commences in August and continues till December ñ January.
It is a laborious process in cardamom and accounts for nearly 60 per cent of
cost of production
Stage of Harvest : Harvesting of capsules at correct maturity stage is a

pre-requisite improving the quality of the produce. Small immature capsules
bring about uneven shrivelled and undesirable colour after processing. The
capsules should be harvested when they attain physiological maturity
(Karikai) to fully ripened stage as to allow the capsules for the proper seed
development and to obtain higher recovery. However, 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 fetch
low premium in the market. Recovery is highest (24 per cent) in the fully
ripened capsules followed by the one harvested at physiological maturity
(20 per cent) and in immature stage (14 per cent). The oil content varies
with the maturity of capsules. The low content of 1-8 cineole and high levels
of α-terpenyl acetate is an index of aroma flavour in cardamom and it is high
at physiologically mature stage. It will be ideal to harvest physiologically
mature (seed colour turns brown to black) to fully ripened stage as to allow
the capsules for the proper seed development and to obtain higher recovery.
Post harvest Operations
Cardamom capsules should be harvested at correct maturity stage

without physical damage and subjected to post harvest operations such as
washing, curing, cleaning, grading, packing and storage. Capsules may be
washed in water to remove the adhering soil and other dirts to get good
quality commodity. Capsules should not be stored after harvest for longer
duration as it adversely affects the quality of the end product.
Curing
Cardamom curing may be defined as the process in which moisture of
freshly harvested capsules is reduced from 80 percent to 10-12 per cent
through indirect heating. Drying is the most important unit operation that
determines the colour of the end products. Apart from quality in terms of
colour, flavour component such as 1-8 cineole, terpenyl acetate, linalool etc
are also important.
36
The traditional firewood based curing house consists of wood burning

surface, flue pipes and drying racks in chamber. The furnace is made up of
fine bricks or thick iron plates to facilitate charging with wood logs.
Drying should be carefully controlled and should not be too rapid,
temperature, humidity and aeration may be checked at frequent intervals
during the course of drying. The harvested capsules are spread in a single
layer on trays. After keeping cardamom trays in the racks curing room is
closed and heating is done by burning firewood in the furnace. The hot air
passed through the pipes placed a few centimeters above the floor enhances
the room temperature to 45 ñ 550C and this temperature status should be
maintained for three to four hours initially. At this stage the capsules sweat
and with the enhanced temperature, give off moisture. The ventilators are
opened for sweeping out water vapour from the drying fruits. Exhaust fans
can also be used for the speedy removal of moisture. After the complete
removal of water vapour, ventilators are closed and the temperature inside
the chamber should be maintained again at 45 -550C for about 18 to 24
hours. At frequent intervals (three-four hours) ventilator exhaust fan are to
be opened to remove the excess moisture otherwise water vapour settles
down on the capsules and it leads to cooking effect thereby looses the
colour of the capsules. The temperature is again raised to 60 - 650C for
another one or two hour for completing the curing process. The temperature
is raised to hasten the cleaning process removing debris like stalks attached
the capsules. Avoid raising temperature above 65o C inside the curing house
to reduce splitting and loss of volatile oil.
Efficient and largely automated cardamom dryers have been designed
and manufactured by several private entrepreneurs using alternate source
of fuel such as Kerosene, Liquid Petroleum Gas (LPG), and diesel cardamom
or using combination of fuels. In the improved driers the alternate fuel source
can be used either independently or in combination with the firewood. The
entire slow curing process controlling the energy flow is fully automated.
Improved systems are advantages in retaining high quality of produce with
respect to colour and have substantially reduced curing duration (16-18
hours). Cardamom dried in the improved curing chambers often fetches
premium price in auctions and in retail.
In Karnataka harvested capsules are directly dried under sun. It requires
five-six days or even more depending upon the availability of sunlight.
Uniform drying of capsules is not possible as the crop harvest commensurate
with rainy season in the cardamom tract. The dried cardamom will not retain
its green colour and also deteriorate its quality due to splitting during frequent
37
turning of capsules under sun drying. Black coloured blanket kept on the
capsules spread under the sun will augment the drying process and also
provides green colour to the cured produce.
Cleaning, Grading, Packing and Storage
Dried capsules have to be polished either manually or with the help of
machines before marketing. Polishing is done by rubbing the dried capsule
in hot state against the hard surface. Polishing machine are also available
which can be operated either manually, or with electric motor. Motorized
machines like Carpol can be used for polishing as well as grading of capsules
having desired mesh. Agmark grades and Indian specifications or standards
are on the basis of important quality factors like colour, weight per volume
(liter), size and percentage of empties, malformed, shrivelled and immature
capsules. After grading, cardamom capsules can be stored over long
duration. For efficient retention of green colour during storage, cardamom
should be dried down to a moisture level of 10-12 per cent. Use to 300
gauge black polythene lined gunny bags improves the storage efficiency.
Store the commodity in wooden boxes at room temperature preferably kept
in the curing house for better storage effectively.
Annexure I
SOIL TEST
Spices Board has set up soil testing laboratories for testing cardamom
growing soils and giving fertilizer recommendation. At present, the soil testing
laboratories are functioning at the Indian Cardamom Research Institute,
Myladumpara, Kerala and at the Regional Research Station, Saklespur,
Karnataka.
Why to test the soil?: Soil testing provides precise information about the
fertility of the soil for making fertilizer recommendation. Needed quantities
of fertilizers of the right kind can be applied at the minimum cost. Balanced
application of nutrients will ensure a better economic return to the grower.
How to collect a soil sample: Only 5 to 10 grams soil is used for each soil
test. So care has to be taken to collect representative soil samples.
Otherwise, precision in analysis and interpretation will have no value. While
collecting the samples, the following points have been taken note of:
1) Sample should be collected form a field once in three to four years
preferably during FebruaryñApril.
2) Total area should be divided into different slopes such as gentle,
medium, steep and swampy area. Each category should be again
38
divided into approximately plots of five acres and if there are certain
pockets where plants are very poor in growth, those pockets should be
sampled separately.
3) Soil samples should be taken from root zone in the row, leaving 30cm
from plant base.
4) The selected site should be cleaned from weeds, dry leaves and other
mulch materials.
5) With the help of spade (mammatty) soil can be cut in an angle from
both sides, which will from a V shape pit at a depth of 15cm, and the
cut soil should be removed.
6) With the help of a knife, soil should be scraped from both the sides of
V shaped pit in a thin layer along the cutting in full depth. Auger can
also be used for soil sample collection.
7) From each five-acre plot around 10 samples may be collected diagonally
and all these samples should be gathered into one in a big polythene
sheet. Then mix it well, remove plant materials and spread the soil in a
square shape in thin layer. Then make four quarters by drawing diagonal
lines and discard any opposite two quarters and again mix the remaining
two quarters. Do the same processes until your sample become 500
grams.
8) The soil should be packed in polythene or cloth bag after shade drying
for one to two days and tied properly. Planterís name and address and
field number may be given in a small piece of paper and kept inside the
bag. For each five acres of land one sample should be send to the
Research Station of Spices Board as soon as the soil is collected.
Information proforma available with field offices of the Spices Board
should be filled in and sent along with the samples collected.
Precautions
O Avoid contamination by keeping soil samples away from stored fertilizer.
O Avoid areas recently fertilized, old trenches, marshy spots, near trees,
compost pits or other non-representative locations.
O Avoid taking samples between rows.
39
Annexure II
Preparation of Bordeaux mixture
Dissolve 1 kg of copper sulphate in 10 liters of water.
In another vessel, slake one kg of quicklime by adding small quantity
of water preferably warm water. (One to 1.25 kg of lime can be taken if the
lime is not of good quality) when slaking is over, add five liters of water and
stir well to get a uniform suspension of lime. Transfer the limes suspension
thus prepared through a sieve to quantity of lime solution kept separately.
Add 10 liters of the copper sulphate solution to the 90 liters of lime
solution with constant stirring. To test the correctness of the mixture, dip a
brightened iron knife for a minute in the mixture. If the knife remains bright,
the mixture is correctly prepared. If the knife turns rusty brown or if its
brightness is lost, add more lime suspension, correctly prepared Bordeaux
mixture will turn red litmus to blue and turmeric powder to orange red in
colour.
Precautions
2. For dissolving copper sulphate or Bordeaux mixture, use copper,
wooden or earthenware or plastic pots or drums.
3. Use fresh quicklime,
4. Bordeaux mixture should be passed through a sieve before transferring
to the sprayers.
5. Spraying of Bordeaux mixture should be done on the same day of
preparation.
40
PESTS OF CARDAMOM
Thrips affected capsules
Thrips affected panicle (left) &

healthy panicle (right)
Adult moth of borer
Early stage borer larvae damage the panicle/raceme

PESTS OF CARDAMOM
Early stage borer larvae

damage the capsule
Late stage borer larvae

damage the shoot
Dead heart symptom caused by Late stage borer larvae

borer larvae
Root grub eggs, larval stages, pupa in
earthern cocoon, male & female beetle
Healthy roots
Roots damaged by root grubs

PESTS OF CARDAMOM
Yellow Sticky Trap in cardamom plantation
Trapped whitefly in the Yellow Sticky Trap

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CULTIVATION PRACTICES

Cardamom (Elettaria cardamomum Maton) the ìQueen of Spicesî enjoys

Cardamom is used for flavouring various food preparations,

The cardamom of commerce is the dried fruit (capsule) of the plant,

A mature cardamom plant may measure two to four meters in height. It

This is considered to be a natural hybrid of Malabar and Mysore types

High yielding varieties and selections

Various research institutions working on the crop improvement aspects

Table 1: High yielding varieties and selections

No. Sele- Cultivar Special Area of Source Yield

Vegetative (sucker) propagation

Sucker multiplication may be taken up from the first week of March to

Cardamom plants from secondary nursery/polybags can be transplanted

recommended for Tamilnadu 1.8x1.8 meters spacing (3086 plants per

Third year of planting Nitrogen -75 Nitrogen -125

Shoot/ Panicle/ Capsule borer [ Conogethes punctiferalis (Guen.)]

Infestation of borer on capsule, panicle and shoot is a serious problem

Pest infestation is pronounced in three season: January- February, May-

Early capsule borer (Jamides alecto)

It is a minor pest of cardamom in Karnataka regions and may be serious

Adult is a medium sized blue butterfly with metallic lusture on

Root grub [Basilepta fulvicorne (Jacoby)]

Root grub is a serious pest damaging the roots of cardamom. Nutrient

Beetles occur in MarchñApril and August-September. Females lay about

INTEGRATED MANAGEMENT OF CARDAMOM ROOT GRUB

Stage of pest & Period of Method of control

Adult beetle Mechanical control:

Nematodes (Meloidogyne spp.)

frequent, with higher concentration or consistent spray of synthetic

leaves in nurseries. Infestation is noticed during January-March. The fully-

Rain fed Irrigated

Rain fed Irrigated

For Tamil Nadu rainfed conditions (Lower Pulneys)

For Karnataka region

Chemical control (Tentative Schedule)

TIPS ON PLANT PROTECTION

Why natural enemies (Biocontrol agents) needed?

Methods to conserve and augment natural enemies/pollinators:

1. Insecticides should be used judiciously at recommended rates on need-

2. As for as possible dust formulation of insecticides may be avoided for

3. In addition to adoption of need-based insecticides, cultural, mechanical

4. On the previous evening of insecticide spray in the field, honeybee

6. Periodical removal of old honeycomb and introduction of new

7. Maintenance of optimum shade (about 50 per cent) with trees like

a) Sow the seeds in August-September, to ensure sufficient growth of

Nursery leaf rot

This disease is seen in young seedlings of three to four months old. It

To control this disease avoid excessive watering of seedlings. Spray

Damping off or seedling rot

The disease appears usually in the nursery where seeds germinate

solanie. Fusarim oxysproum also causes similar seedling rot resulting in

a) In the primary nursery, practice thin sowing for avoiding overcrowding

b) Provide adequate drainage facilities.

c) Remove affected seedlings early and maintain proper phytosanitary

d) Fumigate the nursery beds by treating with formalin (formaldehyde 2

insecticides fails to prevent the disease spread. Diseased plants cannot be

Diseased plants shows symptoms on the tillers and leaves.

The predisposing factors favouring ëazhukalí incidence, are heavy and

The disease can be managed by:

The intensity of the disease can be reduced by providing adequate

Stage of Harvest : Harvesting of capsules at correct maturity stage is a

Post harvest Operations

Cardamom capsules should be harvested at correct maturity stage