Context: Indian cardamom exports are expected to gain significantly in the near term, thanks to drought conditions in Guatemala, one of the largest producers globally.
Cardamom crop
- Cardamom (Elettaria cardamomum Maton) is one of the oldest known spices in the world.
- Evergreen forests of Western Ghats of South India are considered as the centre of origin as well as natural habitat of cardamom.
- Cardamom is commercially cultivated for its dried fruits (capsules), which is also referred as cardamom of commerce.
Types/cultivars
- Based on adaptability, nature of panicle, shape and size of capsules, the cultivars are categorized into Malabar, Mysore and Vazhukka.
- The cultivar Malabar with a prostate panicle (panicles spreading on ground) is widely grown in Karnataka.
- The cultivar Mysore, characterized with erect panicles is extensively cultivated in Kerala and parts of Tamil Nadu.
- The cultivar Vazhukka, a natural hybrid between Malabar and Mysore types with a distinct semi-erect (pendant) panicle, is the most popular cultivar in Kerala.
Climate and soil
- The crop thrives well in regions which receive a well-distributed annual rainfall of 1500-2500 mm with a mean temperature of 15°C to 35°C and 600-1200 m above MSL (mean sea level).
- Cardamom grows luxuriantly in forest loam soils, which are generally acidic in nature with a pH range of 5.5-6.5.
- Growth of cardamom is enhanced, when planted in humus rich soils with low to medium available phosphorus and medium to high available potassium.
Propagation
- Propagation by vegetative means through suckers is considered to be the most preferred method.
- Production of planting materials from seeds and through tissue culture are alternative methods of propagation.
- Seedling propagated plants may not be true to its parent.
Production of Cardamom
- Kerala is the largest producer of cardamom in India (Share 58.6%), followed by Sikkim and Nagaland.