habitat of small cardamom is the evergreen forests of
Western Ghats. It is grown in areas where the annual
rainfall ranges from 1500-4000 mm with a temperature
range of 10-35 ºC and an altitude of 600-1200 m
is generally grown in forest loam soils rich in available
phosphorus and potassium. The crop is raised mainly
on well drained, deep, good textured soils rich in humus.
Ripe capsules of the desired cultivar are collected
from high yielding plants during September-October.
The seeds are extracted by gently pressing the capsules.
In order to increase the germination percentage, seeds
can be treated with concentrated sulfuric acid or nitric
acid for not more than two minutes. The extracted seeds
are washed in cold water four times to remove the mucilaginous
coating. The washed seeds are drained and mixed with
ash and allowed to dry in shade for 2 or 3 days. The
seeds should be sown in the nursery within a fortnight.
Sowing in September is the best for high germination.
Sowing during southwest monsoon and winter should be
it becomes necessary to store the seeds, it is advisable
to store them in capsule form. It can be preserved in
this form for one month, without deterioration of viability.
Polythene lined gunny bags can be used for this.
Kerala and Tamil Nadu, 18 month old seedlings are used
for planting. The seeds are sown in primary nursery
from where the young seedlings are transplanted to a
secondary nursery and maintained for one year before
planting in the main field.
The nursery site is selected in open, well-drained areas,
near a source of water. The land is dug to a depth of
30 cm, cleared of all stubbles and stones; and clods
are broken. Beds of size 6 x 1 x 0.3 m are then prepared.
Jungle soil is spread in a thin layer over the nursery
bed. Seeds are sown on the bed in lines. For an area
of 1 m2, 10 g of seed is required. Sixty grams of seeds
will be required for a nursery bed of 6 m2. The seeds
are covered with a very thin layer of fine soil. The
nursery bed is mulched with dry grass. Potha grass (Grenetia
stricta) commonly seen in high range areas is a suitable
material for this purpose. Grass is spread to a thickness
of about 2 cm. Paddy straw can also be used for mulching.
After sowing, beds have to be watered every day in the
morning and evening. The mulch should be removed on
commencement of germination. The seedlings have to be
protected by providing shade pandals. Regular watering,
weeding and protection from pests and diseases are to
be attended to. During June-July, seedlings from the
primary nursery are transplanted to the secondary nursery.
After preparing the site properly, form nursery beds
of 6 x 1 x 0.3 m. Mixing of well decomposed cattle manure
and wood ash with the top layer of the soil will help
the seedlings to establish well and to grow vigorously.
During June-July, the seedlings from the primary nursery
are transplanted at a spacing of 25-30 cm. Shade pandals
should be provided before transplanting. Overhead pandals
or individual pandals for each bed may be erected. Mulching
the bed with dry leaves will help to conserve soil moisture.
Regular watering during dry months, weeding, application
of fertilizers, control of pests and diseases and mulching
are the essential operations for the maintenance of
the secondary nursery. One month before uprooting, the
pandal should be removed to encourage better tillering.
Polybags can be used for raising secondary seedlings.
For such nurseries, seeds are to be sown in beds in
primary nurseries in September and transplanted to polybags
in December-January. These seedlings would be ready
for planting in June-July. In this case, nursery period
could be reduced by 6 to 7 months.
This may be taken up from the first week of March to
the first fortnight of October. The site is selected
in open, gently slopping and well-drained areas near
a source of water. Trenches of 45 cm width, 45 cm depth
and convenient length are taken across the slope or
along the contour 1.8 m apart. They are filled with
equal quantity of humus rich topsoil, sand and cattle
manure. Uproot a part of the high yielding disease free
mother clump identified in the plantation. Trim the
roots and separate the suckers so that the minimum planting
unit consists of one grown up tiller and a growing young
shoot. Plant them at a spacing of 1.80 m x 0.60 m in
filled up trenches. Provide sufficient mulch and stake
each planting unit. Provide overhead pandal as in the
case of seedling nursery and remove shading material
with onset of monsoon rains. Provide irrigation once
in a fortnight and adopt necessary plant protection
measures. Apply fertilizers @ 100:50:200 kg/ha N:P2O5:K2O
in six splits at an interval of two months. Apply neem
cake @ 100-150 g/plant along with fertilizers. On an
average, 20 to 30 suckers / initial planting unit can
be produced within one year of planting. Care should
be taken to identify and collect mother clumps only
from areas totally free from 'katte' disease.
treatment in nursery
It is recommended that the primary and secondary nursery
soil may be drenched with formalin 2% solution and covered
with polythene sheets for 3 days. Planting should be
taken up only 15 days after treatment to avoid phytotoxicity.
Since inadequate as well as excessive levels of shade
are harmful to the crop, regulation of shade is inevitable.
There should be sufficient shade to protect cardamom
plant during the hot season. By regulating the shade
before the monsoon, more light becomes available to
the plant during the rainy season. Red cedar or chandana-vempu
(Toona ciliata) is an ideal shade tree. It sheds the
leaves during rainy season and thus provides natural
shade regulation. Some of the other shade trees are
kurangatti (Acrocarpus fraxinifolius), vellakil (Dysoxylum
malabaricum) and thelli (Canarium strictum).
ICRI-2, PV-1 and PV-2.
Malabar: Suitable for areas from 600 to 1200 m elevation
Mysore: Suitable for areas from 900 to 1200 m elevation
Vazhukka: Suitable for areas from 900 to 1200 m elevation
Cardamom can be propagated vegetatively and by seedlings.
For vegetative propagation, rhizomes with not less than
three shoots are used. Plants propagated vegetatively
come to bearing one year earlier than the seedling-propagated
plants. But this method has the disadvantage of spreading
the `katte' disease, which is of viral origin. This
disease is not transmitted through seeds. Hence in areas
where the disease is widespread, it would be safer to
use seedlings for propagation.
Main field planting
Cardamom plantation is raised in forests under the shade
of tall trees. For raising a new cardamom plantation,
the undergrowth of bushes is cleared. When open areas
like marshy valleys and grasslands are selected for
raising new plantation, shade trees have to be raised
before planting cardamom seedlings. The quick growing
shade trees like dadap (Erythrina lithosperma) is generally
used for this purpose. Cuttings of this tree are used
for planting. But this tree is a host of root knot nematode,
which infests cardamom. Other quick growing trees like
Albizia can also be used. Useful trees like jack and
eucalyptus can be used along with red cedar, wild nutmeg,
and Vazhukka: 2 x 2 m to 3 x 2 m depending on the fertility
of the soil
Malabar: 1.5 x 1.5 m to 2 x 2 m depending on the fertility
of the soil.
recommended size of pits is 60 x 60 x 35 cm. The pits
are filled with rich topsoil at least two months in
advance of planting the seedlings. Application of well
decomposed FYM or compost or leaf mould and 100 g of
rock phosphate with the topsoil in the pit will help
in proper establishment and quick growth of plants.
If the selected site is a hill slope, terraces may be
formed before digging pits.
can be done with the commencement of southwest monsoon,
before the heavy rains. A small pit may be formed inside
the pit by scooping out soil at the centre of the pit
for planting seedlings. The soil may be put just to
cover the rhizomes. Care should be taken to ensure that
the rhizomes do not go deep into the soil.
A regular schedule of cultural practices consisting
weeding, mulching, trashing, shade regulation, fertilizer
application, irrigation, etc. will have to be undertaken.
mulch should be applied at the base of the plant during
December to reduce the ill effects of drought during
summer months and to conserve soil moisture. Sickle
weeding is essential which has to be carried out frequently
depending upon the intensity of weeds. Forking is necessary
in hard soils, which is to be carried out in October-November.
(removal of old and dried shoots, leaves and dried panicles)
should be taken up once in a year during June-July,
with the commencement of monsoon. This will help to
prevent the spread of diseases and expose the panicles
to easy visit by honeybees.
Soil conservation measures, maintenance of drainage
channels and such other operations may be taken up promptly.
Bee-keeping for better pollination
The main pollination agent in cardamom is honeybee (Apis
cerana indica). Maintaining four bee colonies per hectare
during the flowering season is recommended for increasing
fruit set and production of capsules.
of organic manures such as FYM, cowdung or compost @ 5
kg / plant or neem cake @ 1-2 kg / plant may be done during
June-July. The present recommendation of nutrients for
cardamom in Kerala is N:P2O5:K2O @ 75:75:150 kg/ha. The
fertilizers may be applied in two split doses, before
and after the southwest monsoon, in a circular band of
20 cm wide and 30-40 cm away from the base of the clumps,
and mixed with soil.
of pests and diseases in the nursery
Rhizome weevil (Prodioctes haematicus)
This is a serious pest in the secondary nursery especially
where seedlings are raised continuously year after year.
The grubs feed on the rhizome and basal portion of the
stem. This results in drying of leaves and breaking of
stem at the base. Drenching the nursery beds with chlorpyrifos
at 0.04% can control the pest.
fly (Formosina flavipes)
The pest is observed in the nursery during January to
May. Dead heart or decay of the central spindle is the
external symptom. Spraying of quinalphos 0.025% or application
of phorate granules @ 1 g ai/m2 is recommended for the
control of the pest.
borer (Conogethes punctiferalis)
The caterpillar bores into the stem and feeds on the
internal contents. This results in the decay of the
central spindle and production of dead heart. Faecal
matter of the caterpillar can be seen coming out through
the holes. Spraying with quinalphos 0.025%, carbaryl
0.1%, monocrotophos, fenthion or dimethoate at 0.05%
or phenthoate at 0.1% is recommended against
the shoot borer.
Nematodes are observed as serious pests in cardamom
nurseries. Roots of cardamom seedlings are infested
mainly by root knot nematode (Meloidogyne incognita).
Lesion nematodes (Pratylenchus) are also seen in cardamom
roots and soils. The main symptoms of nematode infestation
are galls on the root tips, profuse tillering, stunted
and weak tillers, yellowing and drying of leaves and
production of narrow, brittle and abnormal leaves. Treatment
of soil as detailed above is an effective method to
of primary and secondary nursery beds with methyl bromide
is another effective method for the control of nematodes
in the nursery. Five hundred gram of methyl bromide
is required for 10 m2 area. The treated area has to
be kept covered with polythene sheet for two to three
days. Pruning of infested roots tips before planting
is also recommended.
the plants in the nursery with carbofuran @ 5 kg ai/ha
after 10 days of germination and this is repeated after
3 months. In secondary nurseries, the plants may be
treated with carbofuran @ 10 kg ai/ha after transplanting
and every three months thereafter.
Control of pests and diseases in the plantation
thrips (Sciothrips cardamomi)
This insect is a serious pest of cardamom. It colonizes
and breeds in unopened leaves, leaf sheath, flower bracts
and flower tubes. It lacerates and feeds on the exuding
sap from the aerial parts. Infestation on the panicle
and flower buds results in stunted growth of panicles,
shedding of flower buds and warty growth on the surviving
capsules. The infested capsules are light in weight,
inferior in quality and fetch very low price in the
market. Since the pest population is high during dry
months from December to May, pesticide application during
this period is important. Four sprayings or dusting
of insecticide during this period is recommended. Insecticide
application can be skipped during rainy months of June
and July. Three more sprayings are to be given during
the period from August-November. Any of the following
insecticides are recommended for thrips control.
formulations: Quinalphos 0.025%, fenthion 0.03%, phenthoate
0.03%, phosalone 0.05%, monocrotophos 0.025%, fenitrothion
0.05%, formothion 0.03%, dimethoate 0.05%.
formulation: Quinalphos 1.5%, carbaryl 10%, phosalone
4% or phenthoate 4% each at 25 kg/ha
borer (Conogethes punctiferalis)
It is a serious problem to cardamom growers of Kerala,
Tamil Nadu and Karnataka. At the early stage of the
crop, the caterpillars of this yellow coloured moth
bore into the core of the aerial stem resulting in the
death of central spindle, which appears as characteristic
the time of flowering, when the caterpillars attack
the panicles and spikes it may lead to flower shedding
and drying up of the attacked portions. At a later stage
of the crop, the caterpillars bore into the capsules,
feed on the seeds and make them hollow. The presence
of excreta at the region of attack indicates presence
of the caterpillars in the pseudostem, inflorescence
infestation is pronounced in three seasons viz. January-February,
June and September-October.
stages of larvae bore into the pseudostem and remain
there. Insecticides sprayed at this time may not give
adequate control of the pest. For an effective management
of the pest, the insecticides have to be targeted on
early stages of the larvae, which are usually present
within 15-20 days after adult emergence in the field.
Spraying fenthion 0.05% or monocrotophos 0.05% is recommended
during the months of February-March and September-October.
There are 10 species of caterpillars feeding on cardamom
leaves. Out of these, seven species are hairy and appear
in large numbers during certain seasons causing extensive
defoliation. For controlling the leaf caterpillars,
mechanical collection and destruction and spraying of
any contact insecticide are recommended.
whitefly (Kanakarajiella [Dialeurodes] cardamomi)
It is a serious pest in cardamom growing tracts of Kerala.
The adult is a small soft-bodied insect, about 2 mm
long and having two pairs of white wings. The nymphs
are elliptical and pale green. The nymphs secrete sticky
honeydew, which drops on to lower leaves. On these,
black sooty mould develops, which interrupts photosynthesis
of the leaves.
flies are attracted towards yellow colour. So metal
sheets painted yellow and coated with sticky materials,
such as castor oil or poly-venyl butanol would serve
as traps. By placing such yellow sticky traps between
rows of cardamom plants, population of adults can be
monitored and adults trapped to some extent. Nymphs
are effectively controlled by spraying the lower surface
of leaves with a mixture of neem oil (500 ml) and triton
(500 ml) in 100 litre of water. Acephate 0.075% and
triazophos 0.04% are equally effective. The spray may
be repeated two or three times at 15 days interval.
root grubs (Basilepta fulvicorne)
The grubs of a small, greenish blue beetle cause damage.
The grubs are short, stout, pale white in colour and
often assume a shape resembling 'C', which feeds on
cardamom roots. The symptoms start as yellowing of leaves,
which later result in the drying up and death of the
the beetle with hand nets or sticky traps at the time
of mass emergence (March-April and August-September)
and destroy. Early stages of the grub which are usually
present in soil during May-June and September-October
can be controlled either by drenching chlorpyriphos
0.04% @ 3-4 litre per clump or by applying phorate @
2-4 g ai/ha 10-15 cm around the plant.
scale (Aulacaspis sp.)
This scale insect is found on the lower surface of leaves,
leaf sheath, panicles and fruit stalk. As a result of
damage, capsules get shrivelled, panicles become dry
and the leaves become yellow. The pest is mostly seen
during summer months.
monocrotophos or fenthion @ 0.05 % during the peak season.
Root knot nematodes are the most common nematode species
associated with cardamom plantations. Common symptoms
are necrosis of leaf tips and margins, narrowing of
leaves, thickening of veins, reduction of internodal
length and consequent appearance of leaves as rosette.
Roots branch heavily and galls appear on them. Plant
becomes highly stunted.
change of nursery beds will help to reduce nematode
infection in nurseries. In case of infection in primary
nurseries, application of carbofuran @ 80 g per 6 m2
bed and in secondary nurseries, application of carbofuran
@ 200 g / 6 m2 bed will control the pest. In plantation,
carbofuran @ 60-80 g/plant or 20-40 g of phorate with
300-500 g of neem cake per plant may be applied. Application
may be repeated after three months.
This disease is caused by Pythium vexans and Rhizoctonia
solani. Infection is observed at the collar region. Provide
good drainage, and spray and drench the nursery with 1%
Bordeaux mixture or 0.2% copper oxychloride.
This disease is caused by Phyllosticta elettariae. Pale
specks appear on the leaf lamina, which dry up and become
paper white. Spraying the plants with mancozeb 0.25%
at fortnightly intervals is effective in controlling
other diseases are Sphaceloma leaf spot, Cercospora
leaf spot, rust and sooty mould.
Katte or mosaic
This is a virus disease, which is transmitted by the
banana aphid, Pentalonia nigronervosa. The symptoms
consist of discontinuous stripes of light green colour
running almost parallel to each other from the mid-rib
to the margin of the leaves, which form a mosaic pattern.
On young shoots, such stripes are seen on the leaf sheath
also. The infected clumps will be smaller in size with
of the source of inoculum by destroying infected plants
and destruction of the vector by insecticide application
are effective. Regular application of insecticide against
cardamom thrips controls the aphids also. Avoid using
katte-infected rhizome for planting.
of plants showing symptoms of the disease should be
done promptly once in two months. Removal of all alternate
hosts of virus is also recommended.
This is a fungal disease caused by Phytophthora sp.
occurring during the rainy season. It affects the leaves,
tender shoots, panicles and capsules. On the infected
leaves, water soaked lesions appear first and rotting
and shedding of leaves along the veins occur thereafter.
The infected capsules become dull greenish brown and
decay. This emits a foul smell and subsequently shed.
Infection spreads to the panicles also.
and destruction of the infected parts should be done
as a phytosanitary measure just prior to the onset of
southwest monsoon. Remove the trash (dried leaves and
leaf sheaths) from the basal region of the plant to
the extent possible.
Spray the shoots with 1% Bordeaux mixture with adhesive
(rosin soda or any other sticker) by the commencement
of the monsoon and continue the spraying operation two
or three times up to November-December according to
the intensity of the disease and rainfall. Give a copious
spray to the panicle with 1% Bordeaux mixture @ 3 l/plant
during July-August when the disease intensity is maximum.
can be used along with cowdung for controlling this
rot or rhizome rot
This disease is caused by Pythium aphanidermatum, P.
vexans, Rhizoctonia solani and Fusarium oxysporum. The
affected shoots become brittle and easily break off
from the rhizome at the bulbous base.
with 0.2% copper oxychloride (2-3 litre per plant) and
repeat this two times at monthly intervals.
a bio-control measure, inoculate seedlings with native
arbuscular mycorrhiza, Trichoderma and Pseudomonas fluorescens
at the time of planting in the nursery and main field,
and apply during pre-monsoon period in established plantations
(see the chapter on biocontrol agents against plant
fungus Phaeodactylium venkatesanum causes this disease.
The disease is characterized by the appearance of large
blotches of irregular lesions with alternating shades
of light and dark brown necrotic tissues. This is mainly
observed on mature leaves. On the lower surface of the
lesions ash coloured white superficial growth of the
fungus appears during moist weather conditions.
fungicides, Bordeaux mixture (1%), mancozeb (0.3%) and
carbendazim (0.1%) are effective in controlling the
Chenthal disease is characterized by the appearance
of rectangular linear reddish brown lesions mainly on
the lower surface of the leaves. The lesions are clearly
visible even on dried leaves. The incidence of the disease
appears to be more severe in areas, which do not have
proper shade. Even though Corynebacterium and Colletotrichum
gloeosporioides have been isolated from the infected
leaves, the pathogenicity of these organisms could not
adequate shade is the only measure recommended pending
confirmation of etiology of the disease.
period of insecticide / fungicide
Quinalphos 30 days
Monocrotophos 30 days
Mancozeb 30 days
plants normally start bearing capsules from the third
year of planting. Picking is carried out at an interval
of 30 days. After harvest, cardamom capsules are processed.
capsules with green colour fetch a premium price in
foreign countries. Hence emphasis has to be given on
the preservation of green colour during curing and subsequent
storage. Capsule should be processed within 24-36 hours
after harvest to prevent deterioration. By curing, the
moisture of green cardamom is reduced to 8-12 per cent
at an optimum temperature so as to retain its green
colour to the maximum extent.
season in Kerala is October-February and the peak period
of harvest is September-November.
Capsules are dried directly under sunlight for five to
six days or more. Frequent turning is done. This method
can result in surface blemishes and may not give an attractive
green colour. This method is practiced if the cultivar
yields fruits that turn yellow before they are ready for
picking and where facilities for green curing are not
Processing of capsules is done in specially built curing
houses. The harvested capsules are washed in water to
remove dust and soil particles. Then they are spread
on wire net trays in curing chamber. Burning firewood
in the iron kiln produces heat required for drying.
The heat thus produced is passed through pipes made
of galvanized iron sheets. The process of drying takes
about 18-24 hours, depending on the ambient temperature.
The capsules are spread thinly in the wire net trays
and stirred frequently to ensure uniform drying. They
are initially heated at 50 ºC for the first 4 hours
and heat is then reduced to 45 ºC by opening ventilators
and operating exhaust fans till the capsules are properly
dried. Finally the temperature is raised to 60 ºC
for an hour.
dried capsules are rubbed on wire mesh to remove the
stalk and dried portion of flower from the capsules
and then graded according to size by passing through
sieves of sizes of 7, 6.5, 6 mm etc. The graded produce
is stored in polythene lined gunny bags to retain the
green colour during storage and also to avoid exposure
relatively new innovation in the curing procedure is
blanching by soaking the fruits in 2.0 per cent washing
soda for 10 minutes prior to drying. This inhibits colour
loss during drying operation and extends colour retention
during subsequent storage from three months to ten months.
A proportion of the crop is bleached after sun drying
by exposing the capsules to fumes from burning sulphur
to get uniform colour and appearance. Steeping capsules
in a dilute solution of potassium metabisulphite solution
induces a slight improvement in keeping quality.
Solvent extraction of ground spice yields 10 per cent
oleoresin. Cardamom oleoresin is used for flavouring
food after being dispersed in salt, flour etc. One kilogram
of oleoresin replaces 20 kg ground spice.
seeds / seed powder
Decorticated seeds command a lower price due to rapid
loss of volatile oil during storage and transportation.
Seed powder is marketed to a limited extent.