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Indian Large Cardamom Production Technology and Future Prospects

Article · August 2018

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 Indian Large Cardamom Production Technology and
Future Prospects
A.K. Vijayan, B.A. Gudade, T.N. Deka, U. Gupta & P. Chhetri

Indian Cardamom Research Institute, Regional Research Station, Spices Board, Tadong 737 102,
Ganglok, Sikkim, India

E-mail: sbicr:[email protected]

Introduction

Large cardamom (Amomum subulatum Roxb.), a member of the family, Zingiberaceae under the

order Scitaminae. It grows wild in forest ecosystem and also domesticated in the sub-Himalayan

region, at altitudes ranging from 1000 to 2200 m above mean sea level. It is one ofthe main cash

crops cultivated in the state of Sikkim and Darjeeling district of West Bengal. It is also

cultivated in parts of Uttarakhand and in some other North Eastem Hill states like Arunachal

Pradesh and Nagaland. Nepal and Bhutan are the other two Himalayan countries where large

cardamom is also cultivated. Sikkim is the largest producer of large cardamom and constitute

lion share of Indian and world market.

Usage

Mature large cardamom capsules are used as a spice and in several ayurvedic preparations. It

contains 2-3% essential oil rich in cineole which is used for various food preparations, in

confectionaries, making perfumes and other medicines. It posses medicinal properties like

carminative, stomachic, diuretic, cardiac stimulant and anthelmintics.

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Climate

Large cardamom prefers humid subtropical, semi-evergreen forests on steep hills of

eistem sub-Himalayan region. It is a shade loving plant (Sciophyte) grown in tracts with well

distributed rainfall spread around 200 days with a total of about 3000-3500 mm,/year. The plants

are usually grown along jhoras (small springs), in moist and shady sides of mountain streams and

along the hilly slopes.

Crop varieties

There are mainly six popular cultivars of large cardamom viz., Ramsey, Ramla, Sawney,

Varlangey, Seremna and Dzongu Golsey. Two high yielding varieties namely ICRI Sikkim 1 and

I|RI Sikkim 2 were also released by Indian Cardamom Research Institute, Regional Research

Station, Tadong, Gangtok, Sikkim in tle yeat 2004.

Propagation

Propagation of large cardamom is done through seeds and suckers. The Propagation tkough

seeds enables production of large number of seedlings. Virus diseases are not transmitted

through seeds and therefore the seedlings are free from viral diseases, if adequate care is taken to

isolate and protect the nursery from fresh infection. Plants raised from seeds need not

necessarily be high yielders even if they are collected from very productive plants due to qoss-

pollination. The major pollinator is bumble bees, (Bombus haemorrhoidalis and Bombus

breticeps), even though honey bees also play a role in pollination. On the other hand, planting

through suckers ensures true to the parents with a high productivity if they are collected from

high yielding, disease free plants.

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Soil

Large cardamom is generally grown in forest loamy soils having soil depth offew centimeters to

siveral inches. Texture varies from sandy, sandy loam, silty loam to clay. In general, large

cardamom soils are acidic in nature and majority of soils have pH ranges from 4.5 to 6.0 and

more than l% organic carbon content. On an average, these soils have high available Nitrogen

and medium Phosphorous and Potassium. Because of steepness of the terrain, chance of water

logging is less, and water logged conditions are not suitable for the plants and adequate drainage

is important for the better stand ofthe crop.

Selection of site

parge cardamom grows well in forest loamy soils with gentle to medium slopes. Luxuriant

growth is observed nearby perennial water sources. It performs well under partial shade (50%).

Utis (Alnus nepalensis) is the most common shade tree and Utis- cardamom is a very good Ago-

forestry system for sustainable production in the region. The other species of shade trees are

Panisaj (Terminalia myriocarpa), Pipli (BucHandia sp.), Malito (Macaranga denticulate), Argeli

(Edgeworthes gardneri), Asare (Viburnus eruberens), Bilaune (Maesa cheria), Kharane

(Symplocos sp.), Siris (Albizzia lebbeck), Baledo (Erythrina indica), Jhingani (Eurja tapanica),

Chillowne (Schima wallichii) etc.

Land preparation

The land selected for planting is cleared of all under gowth, weeds etc. Old large cardamom

plants, if any may also be removed. Pits of size 30 x 30 x 30 cm are prepared on contours at a

spacing of 1.5 x 1.5 m from the centre of the pits. Wider spacing of 1.8 x 1.8 m is recommended

3
 for robust cultivars like Ramla, Ramsey, Sawney, varlangey etc. while closer spacing 1.45 x

1'45 m is advised for non robust cultivators like Dzongu Golsey and Seremna. Pits are left open

lor weathei'ing for a fortnight and then filled with topsoil mixed with cow dung compost / FyM

@ 1-2kg per pit. Pit making and filling operation should be completed in the third week of May

before the onset ofpre-monsoon showers.

Planting

Planting is done in June - July when there is enough moisture in the soil. A mature tiller with 2-

3 immature tillers / vegetative buds is used as planting unit. For better production, quality

planting materials are to be raised in the nurseries or to be collected from certified nurseries.

Suckers / seedlings are planted by scooping a little soil from the centre ofthe pits and planted up

to collar zone. Deep planting should be avoided. Staking is needed to avoid lodging from heavy

rain and wind and mulching is done at the plant base.

Mulching

Mulching at the plant base with easily degradable organic materials is good for conserving both

moisture and soil. Mulch improves the soil condition and the soil fertility. Dried organic matter,

leaves, weeds etc can be used as mulching materials.

Application of manure

For sustainable good yield and to compensate the nutrient loss from the soil, replenishment of

nutdents is very essential. Well decomposed cattle manure / compost or organic products @ 5

kg / plant and at least twice in a year in April-May and August- September are beneficial. If all

the crop residues are recycled in the plantation and Farm Yard Manure (FYM) / Organic

materials etc are applied, application of inorganic fertilizers may not be necessary.

4
Watering / Irrigation

Large cardamom plants cannot thrive well under water stress conditions. In the first year of

planting watering is required at least once in 10 days during dry months in October to April for

better growth in coming months. It is observed that productivity is higher in plantations where

irrigation is provided. Depending on availability of water sources hose or sprinkler or flood

inigation through small channels is advised. Water harvesting pits made in between four plants

of nearby rows during rainy season can support the water requirement of the crop in the dry

season to some extent and is cheap.

Shade management

It is noticed that heavy shade or less shade hinders crop growth and production. About 50%

shade is lound ideal. The lopping of branches of shade trees is very important and should be

done before onset of monsoon. But at the same time over-exposure to direct sunlight causes

yellowing of leaves. Therefore judicious shade management is very important for good growth,

timely llowering and for better crop.

5
 Fig. I Large cardamom plantation under 50oZ
shade

Weed control

weed conhol in the plantations is the important

operation for maximum utilization of available
soil moisture and nutrients by the plants.
Three rounds of weeding are required
for effective
conhol of weed growth in initial two to
three years. weeding is generarly done by
using a sickle
or by hand depending upon the intensity of
weed growth. l.-rom around the plant base
weeds are
pulled out by hand and in inter-space
needs only slash with sickle. clean weeding
is not advised
as the crop is found to be a good colonizer.
while weeding dried shoots and other thrashed
materials are used as murch around the plant
base which wilr help to conserve moisture
in the
ensuing dry months, cover the exposed
roots and prevent weed growth around the plant
base.
During flowering period, the thrashed materiars
should not cover the inflorescences.

Biodiversity management

?he alder (Alnus nepalensls) based cropping

pattem is commonly practised in large cardamom

ecosystem' The tree is beneficial as it takes

care of the nutrient requirements since
alder is a

6
nitrogen fixing plant. Growing wild varieties act as a rodent repellent. Since cardamom is
planted in good forested areas, it is observed that such plantation sites also become good habitats

for wild animals and birds.

Harvesting and curing

The indication of time of harvest is when the seeds of top most capsules tum brown. As soon as

the said colour appears and to enhance maturity bearing tillers are cut at a height of 30-40 cm

from ground and left for another 10-15 days for full maturity. The spikes are harvested by using

sgecial knives known as "Elaichichhuri". The harvested spikes are heaped and capsules

separated and dried. The cured capsules are rubbed on wire mesh for cleaning and removal of

calyx (tail).

Traditionally cardamom is cured in Bhatti, where capsules are dried by direct heating. Under this

system the cardamom comes in direct contact with smoke which tums the capsules to dark

brown or black with smoky smell. Improved curing techniques are presently available in which

cardamom is processed to give quality and appearance. One such method is ICRI Improved

Bhatti curhg system developed by Indian Cardamom Research Institute, Regional Station,

Tadong where cardamom is dried through indirect heating. The system is available in 200 & 400

kg (fresh capsules) capacities, cost is estimated at ( 12,000/- and a 21,000/- respectively. The

bhatti has been popularized by Spices Board Regional office at Gangtok and Zonal offices at

Tadong, Mangan, Jorethang and Kalimpong through subsidized development scheme. In this

cardamom is dried by indirect heating at 45-500 C. Curing is done till moisture content of the

produce is brought down to 10-12 %o level and gives metallic sound while shuffling.

7
Fig. 2 Large cardamom capsules belore curing Fig.3 Large cardamom capsules after curing with
ICRI improved bhatti

P?ckaging and marketing

The properly dried capsules should be allowed to cool and then packed in polythene lined jute

bags. The bags may be stored on wooden platform away from sidewall to avoid absorption of

moisture and thereby to avoid fungal growth on the stored produce.

Production trend and future prospects

The glory of large cardamom is coming back after decade long low yield, low quality and low

price spell. There was a sale of4 MT in 2o1o-11, the first year of organized sales of large

cardamom through open auction. That went up to 16MT in20l1-12. This year, large cardamom

sale is expected to be around 40 MT through auctioning. A maximum price of( l070lkg ofdried

capsules of large cardamom was realized during the year 2013. If this trend continues the futgre

oflarge cardamom is bright and there are great opportunities for farming community.

Large cardamom area under cultivation and production in India are given in Table 1.

8
 Table l. Large cardamom area under cultivation and year
wise production

Year Are a (hectares) Producti on ( tonnes)

2008-2009 27034 4300
2009-2010 27034 41 80

2010-2011 26984 3913

2011-2012 * 26460 3860
2012-2013 # 26060 4145
tEstimate, #
A dvance estimate
Source: State Agri,T{ ort. Departments,
Large cardamom estimate by Spices
Calicut. Bo ard20ll-12 &2012-13: DASD

Large cardamom gives recognition

to Sikkim and Darjeeling hilrs. It is
not onry contributes to
tfi'e economy ofthis region but
also play an important role in the
ecosystem and contribute to the
human health. It is a spice crop of
significant economic importance. This
crop has herped to
alleviate from poverty to many small
household. compared to tmditional
crops, the income fiom
large cardamom is three to four times
higher. Sikkim produces g5 percent
of India,s large
cardamom, which enjoys a high value
market in pakistan, Singapore and the
Middre-East. It is
also exported to UAE, Iran, USA, Afghanistan,
UK, Malaysia, South Africa, Japan and
Argentina' The major domestic markets
in India are Amritsar, Kolkata, Derhi, Mumbai
and
Kanpur' The major causes of low productivity
are lack of improved pranting materials,
viral and
sngal diseases, lack of proper shade management,
moisture stress conditions and climatic .

change. Promising large cardamom

varieties coupred with optimum inputs and technorogies
can
increase yield up to 850-1000 kg,&a.
Demand can be raised by adding new
value added products
from large cardamom oil' Income of the
farmers can be double by using the
hearthy, good
planting materials, apprication of FyM,
weed management, irrigation during
dry period, diseases

9
 and pests management. Proper management of plantation is the prime reason for successful

cultivation. Being a multiple crop, there is an urgent need to increase the area under its

cultivation for increasing the productivity ofthis crop.

References

Gupta U., Gudade B.A., Chhetri P. and Harsha K. N. (2012) Large cardamom- the lifeline in
Sikkim. Indian Horticulture Vol. 57 (4): 7-10.

Gudade B.A., Chhetri P., Gupta U., Deka T. N. and Vijayan A.K. (2013) Traditional practices of
large cardamom in Sikkim and Darjeeling, Life Sciences LeaJlets Yol.9(9): 62-68.

Harsha K.N., Deka T.N., Sudharshan M.R., Saju K.A. and Gupta U. (2011) Cultivation of large
Cardamom, Extension leaflets of ICRI, RS, Spices Board, Tadong, Sikkim: 1-4.

Gudade B.A., Chhetri P., Gupta U., Deka T. N. and VijayanA. K. (2013) Organic cultivation of
large cardamom (Amomum subulatum Roxb.) in Sikkim. Popular KhetiYol. 1 (3): 4-9.

Gupta U., Chhetri P. and. Gudade B.A (2012) The effect of different treatments on seed
" germination of large cardamom. Green Farming International Journal YoL3 (6):747 -
749.

Gupta U., Chhetri P. and Gudade B.A. (2012) Collection, chamcterization, evaluation and
conservation of germplasm of large cardamom. Green Farming Internationdl Journdl
Vol. 3(4):499-500.

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