Precision Farming

CARDAMOM
With Jain Technology™
 HIGHTECH CULTIVATION OF CARDAMOM
Cardamom (Elettaria cardamomum Maton) known as the “Queen of Spices” originated in
the Western Ghats of South India. It is one of the most highly priced and exotic spices
in the world.
The total world production of this spice is around 35,000 MT per annum and the largest
producing country is Guatemala followed by India. Tanzania, Sri Lanka, EL Salvador,
Vietnam, Laos, Cambodia and Papua New Guinea are the other cardamom growing
countries. Cardamom is used for flavoring various food preparations, confectionary,
beverages and liquors. It is also used for medicinal purpose, both in Allopathy and
Ayurveda systems. The major consuming countries of cardamom are the Middle
Eastern countries, India, Pakistan, European countries, the U.S and Japan. Middle
Eastern countries such as Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, and South-East
Asian countries such as India account for more than 60 % of the world’s consumption.
In India, Cardamom cultivation is confined mainly to the Western Ghats of Kerala, Karnataka
and Tamil Nadu. Kerala accounts for 60% of the cultivation and production followed by Karnataka
30 % and Tamil Nadu 10 %. Idukki district in Kerala is the major cardamom producing area.

Habit Planting Material

It is a perennial tropical herbaceous plant. Cardamom Seedlings or suckers.
requires a wet humid rainfall regime. Hence, along with
the year-to-year fluctuations in rainfall-both its quantum Nursery Management
and distribution-the output and productivity of cardamom Seedlings can be raised in nurseries.
also shows considerable year-to-year fluctuations.
Primary Nursery
Climate • Sowing is done on beds of 1 m width, 20 cm height
• Cardamom is usually cultivated in rain-fed conditions, and 6 m length.
under forest cover and is sensitive to micro-climatic
• Sowing time is September.
conditions and moisture stress.
• Before sowing fumigate the beds with 2 % formalin to
• Requires evenly distributed rainfall of 1500- 4000mm/
eliminate pathogens and other soil pests.
year.
• Seeds collected from high yielding and disease free
• The optimum altitudinal range for growing cardamom
mother clumps should be washed and mixed with
is 600 to 1200 meters above MSL.
wood ash and dried in shade.
• A temperature range of 10-35°C is ideal for cardamom
• Storage of seed will reduce germination rate.
Soil • Seed treatment with acid or other chemicals improves
germination.
• Cardamom grows well in forest loamy soils
• Best time for sowing is September and sowing in
• Soil pH: 4.2 to 6.8.
winter and during south west monsoon should be
• Soil nutrient status: High in organic matter and avoided.
nitrogen, low to medium in available phosphorus and
• Seed rate is 30 to 50 g per 6x1 m bed.
medium to high in available potassium.
• Sowing can be done in lines in rows at a distance of 10 cm.
Varieties • Irrigate with low impact micro sprinklers.
Two varieties of cardamom plants are identified, and Secondary Nursery
they are Elettaria cardamomum Maton, variety Major
• Seedlings of three to four leaf stages from the primary
composed of wild indigenous types of Sri Lanka and
nursery beds can be transplanted in the secondary
Elettaria cardamomum Maton, variety Minor comprising
nursery at a distance of 20-25 cm.
of cultivars like, Mysore, Malabar and “Vazhukka”.
• Irrigate with low impact micro sprinklers or Jain
These types are grown in different tracts and are mostly Acumisters.
identified on the nature of panicles, size of plants and • Planting in main field is done during last week of May
other morphological characters. or first week of June
Cardamom varieties are highly location specific. High
yielding varieties of cardamom released include ICRI 1, 2,
3; TDK 4 &11; PV 1, CCS 1 Mudugiri 1&2; NCC 200; MCC
12, 16 &40; RR1
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 Vegetative Propagation Major cultivation practices include
• For vegetative propagation, rhizomes with not less • Shade regulation,
than three shoots are used.
• Vegetatively propagated plants come to bearing one • Field preparation,
year earlier than the seedling-propagated plants. • Planting,
• But this method has the disadvantage of spreading the • Weed control,
‘katte’ disease, which is of viral origin. • Irrigation,
• This disease is not transmitted through seeds. • Forking
• Hence in areas where the disease is widespread, it • Mulching,
would be safer to use seedlings for propagation. • Trashing &
• Earthing up.
Field Planting • The plant to plant spacing recommended for Mysore
• Trenches of 0.45 m width and 0.45 m deep and and Vazhukka cultivars are 3x3 m or 2.4x2.4 m
convenient length are to be taken at 1.8 m apart. • Recommended spacing for Karnataka region is 1.8 x
• Fill the trenches with equal quantity of humus rich top 1.8 m or 1.2x1.8 m.
soil, sand and cattle manure • Plant base should be mulched well with dried leaves
to protect soil from erosion and conservation of
Cultivation Practices moisture.
For planting in new area • Planting should be done diagonally to the slope.
• Ground should be cleared or if it is replanting area, old • Irrigation during summer months ensures increase in
plants should be removed. yield by 50 %.
• Shade regulation, Terracing and Preparation of pits
should be done during summer months.

Micro Irrigation of Cardamom

Cardamom requires irrigation even in wet tropical region receiving copious monsoon rain. The period from October to
June first week is rainless and even during the monsoon (June- September) period irrigation is required during the breaks
in the rainy season. Traditionally, Cardamom clumps (groups of plants originating from one seedling) were irrigated by
pot irrigation or hose irrigation methods. Almost all of the cardamom is grown on slopes with plenty of shade trees
amongst them furrow or channel irrigation method is impractical. Impact sprinkler irrigation, though practiced in some
areas is found to be less efficient and does not give facility for fertigation and also enhances weed growth in the inter-
clump spaces.

Mist irrigation using very fine misters (Jain Acumister) Subsurface drip irrigation; (Cardamom SDI)
3 meter

ter
3 me

Acumisters are installed on PVC risers (1m tall) and Inline lateral tubes with drippers fitted at every 50 cm is
connected to the water carrying Lateral tubes through placed at 20 cm below the soil surface on the sides of the
8 mm micro tubes. Each clump will have one acumister clumps, as shown below in the drawing. The laterals are
placed at its centre (Photographs). installed subsurface in order to facilitate the forking op-
eration done in the inter-clump spaces. Drip lines on the
surface will obstruct this important operation.

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J-Turbo Aqura®
Large cross-sectional, Two baffle walls to
hydraulically designed prevent entry of soil
turbulent flow path particles.
• Available discharge rates - 0.8, 1.3,
1.6, 2.4 & 4 lph at 1 kg/cm². Computerized Inlet filters to
prevent entry
• Clog resistant dripper online checks for of physical
emitter spacing impurities
• Availabe in 12, 16 & 20 mm
nominal diameter.
• Suitable for surface as well as
subsurface installations.

Computerized Continuous Precision laser

online quality checks for drilled outlet holes
consistent performance

Jain Turbo Top™

Injection
3-D inlet filter
moulded silicone
enable clog free
• Available discharge rates – 1 & 1.6 lph diaphragm
operation
• Injection moulded silicone rubber compensates
with pressure and discharge gives uniform
performance.
• Anti Syphone feature (optional) prevents
suction of sand and silt particles inside the
dripper.
• Cascade labyrinth gives strong, self-cleaning
Weired Long and wide
turbulence. outlet to prevent cascade flow path
• Available in 16 & 20mm nominal diameter. entry of roots
• Suitable for surface as well as subsurface
installations.

Why Jain Drip Irrigation ? More Crop

Water is not the only need of the plant. To uptake this water efficiently, it requires
proper air-water balance within the root zone. Drip irrigation, with its low ap-
plication rate, prevents the saturation of water within the root zone and continu-
ously maintains field capacity. This provides favorable condition for the growth of
the plant. Drip irrigation also helps to use fertilizer efficiently. With drip irrigation
water can be provided at frequent interval which helps to maintain required soil
moisture level within the vicinity of the plant roots.
Jain is the pioneer of drip irrigation. Ours is the only company in the world, which
fulfills your entire irrigation sytems requirement under one roof.

Characteristics of drip irrigation:

1. Water is applied at a low rate to maintain optimum air-water balance within
the root zone.
2. Water is applied over a long period of time.
3. Water is applied to the plant and not to the land.
4. Water is applied every day equivalent to Evapotranspiration of the day.
5. Water is applied via a low pressure delivery system.

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 J-Turbo Line® & J-Turbo Line Deluxe
Diametrically Wide cross
placed multiple sectional area and
inlet filters turbulent flow path
• Available discharge rates - 2.4, 4 lph at 1 kg/cm²
Pressure.
• Cylindrical shape permits wide flow path cross
section along with multiple inlet filter improves
clog resistante.
• J-Turbo Line Deluxe model is provided with
innovative, clog resistance cascade labyrinth.
Duel outlets to break Smooth hydrodynam-
• Available in 12,16 & 20 mm nominal diameter. vaccum & prevents soil ic design minimizes
• Suitable for surface as well as subsurface suction frictional losses
installation.

Turboline PC®
Duel outlets to
Diametrically break vaccum
placed multiple & prevents soil
• Available discharge rates - 1.3, 1.6, 2.6 & 4.5 lph at inlet filters suction
1 kg/cm² Pressure.
• Injection moulded silicone rubber compensates with
pressure and discharge gives uniform performance
• Application on the undulating land/ Terrains/ Steep
slopes.
• Applicatiion where ever longer lateral length is
necessary. Injection moulded Smooth hydro-
silicone diaphragm dynamic design
• Available in 16 & 20 mm nominal diameter. minimizes frictional
• Suitable for surface as well as subsurface losses & helps for
longer lateral running
installation.
length.

Per Drop® Advantages of Jain Drip Irrigation

Increase in yield from 50 to 200%.
Acts as a catalyst to achieve the highest potential yield of the crop.
Improved quality, uniformity in grain size and fruit size.
Early maturity of the crop. Early in the market, higher is the price.
Minimized fertilizer loss due to localized application and reduced leaching.
High water application efficiency – Water saving up to 70% .
Reduction in manpower requirement.
Saves Energy upto 50%.
Control over weed growth and reduction in weedicide expenses.
Improved disease control.
Difficult and undulating terrain can be irrigated efficiently.
Ideal for saline/alkaline soil conditions.
No soil erosion.
Technology for social justice & equity
Efficient tool to overcome the challenges of water security, food security and
energy security for the nation.

© Copyright

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In SDI irrigation and fertigation can be done with a Entire plantation and particularly the plant base are to be
minimum of one labour for the entire plantation. kept under mulch.
Month Pan E mm l/ ha l /clump/day Plant base has to be mulched at a thickness of 5-10 cm.
January 3.5 27222 27.2
Crop hygiene
February 4.1 31889 31.9
Remove old tillers, dry leaves and leaf sheaths once in a
March 4.4 34222 34.2 year.
April 3.7 28778 28.8
may 3 23333 23.3
Disease Management
June 3.3 25667 25.7 Nursery Diseases
July 2.7 21000 21
Nursery Leaf Spot (Phyllosticta elettariae)
Augest 2.4 18667 18.7
Mostly appear during February-April months. Small round
September 3.2 24889 24.9 or oval spots appeared as dull white in colour.
October 3 23333 23.3 Treatment : Spray Difolatan or Foltaf (Captafol) 0.2 % or
November 2.6 20222 20.2 with Dithane M-45 (Mancozeb) or Indofil M 45 0.3 % .
Decmber 2.4 18667 18.7 Nursery Leaf Spot (Cercospora zingiberi)
** The above irrigation schedule is estimated for Idukki Yellowish to reddish brown coloured rectangular patches
district. The quantum of irrigation will differ if pan E varies. seen on the lamina.
These estimates are for 5 yr plus clumps. For newly planted Treatment : spray Difolatan or Foltaf (Captafol) 0.2 % or
seedlings irrigation of 6 l /seedling is enough till the clump with Dithane M-45 (Mancozeb) or Indofil M 45 0.3 %.
is established.
Nursery Leaf Rot
In the mist irrigation an average of 10-20 liter of misting
is recommended daily depending on the diameter of the Development of water soaked lesions on the leaves which
clump. This has to be given in two or three spurts in a day. results in decay of affected areas
Treatment : Avoid excessive watering of seedlings. Spray
Fertigation 0.3 % Dithane (Mancozeb) twice at 15 days interval.
Fertigation is easily done in SDI either daily, alternate days Damping off or Seedling Rot
or weekly doses; depending upon the readiness of the
It appears in germination nursery due to excessive soil
grower.
moisture.
Preliminary studies have shown that 52 equal weekly Treatment : Avoid overcrowding of seedlings. Provide
doses of N and K has helped in improving yield of adequate drainage facilities and remove affected seedlings
cardamom.
Clump Rot (Rhizome Rot)
Fertigation schedule This disease occurs in mature seedlings (6 to 18 months
Fertilizer 150 N: 150 P: 300 K (kg/ha) old) due to excess soil moisture. Uproot and destroy all
recommendation for full year. the affected seedlings in the nursery
Schedule of Fertigation 52 weekly doses Treatment : Irrigate with micro sprinklers and scheduling
of irrigation to avoid excess of soil moisture.
Fertilizer per dose per ha 4.21 kg UREA per ha/ week;
4.7 kg MAP per ha/week; Drench the nursery beds with Copper oxychloride (COC,
9.6 kg MOP per ha/week 0.3%) at the rate of 3 to 5 litres/m².

BENEFITS OF SDI in Cardamom

Increase in yield by 55%
Uniform, early and regular podding
Uniform distribution of fertilizer and water
Enhanced uniformity in podding and clump growth.
Higher efficiency water and fertilizer use.
Labour use for irrigation and fertilizer application reduced considerably.
SDI does not obstruct Forking, weeding and other field operations.
Rodent damage (by squirrels) is less
Mechanical damage to irrigation system by labour or animal
movement is avoided.

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 Plantation Diseasaes Insect Pest Management
‘Katte’(Mosaic) Disease Pests in Nursery
Spindle shaped chlorotic flecks appear on the youngest
leaf of affected tillers.Later develop in to discontinuous Shoot Borer
stripes of pale green and dark green areas, running parallel Appearance of excreted material at the mouth of the
to the veins from the midrib of leaf margin. bore hole indicates the presence of larva in the shoot. Its
Treatment : Avoid rhizome planting using materials taken caterpillars bore in to the shoots and feed on its core.
from disease affected gardens. Treatment : The pest can be controlled by spraying
Avoid raising nursery near katte affected areas. insecticides within 15-20 days after the appearance of
moths. Monocrotophos or Fenthion 0.075 %
Nilgiri Necrosis Disease / Viral & Systemic
disease Root Grubs
Grubs reduce the uptake of nutrients and leads to
Plants show alternate light green and whitish to yellowish
yellowing of leaves.
streaks on the leaves in the form of mosaic.
Treatment : Early stages of the grub can be controlled by
Treatment : Plant sanitation by rouging of affected plants
applying Phorate or Sevidol @30 to 40 grams per clump.
can control the disease

Kokke kandu disease (Cardamom vein clearing) Shoot Fly

Results in wilting and drying off of the terminal unopened
Systemic viral disease. leaves.
Mottling develops on the foliage and later shows severe Treatment : Remove and destroy affected shoots at ground
vein clearing. Tillers are stunted. level. Apply Dimethoate or Quinalphos or Methylparathion
Treatment : Plant sanitation is the only preventive at 0.05% conc.
measure.
Spotted Red Spider Mite
‘Azhukal’ or Capsule Rot disease Spider mites spin web and colonise under the surface of
Water soaked lesions appear on the young leaves and on leaves. They suck plant sap form leaves.
capsules . Provide proper drainage & regulate thick shade Treatment : Spray dicofol @ 200 ml/100 litre water or
by gentle topping of tree branches Sulphur 80 WP 250 gm./100 litre or Dimethoate @167
Treatment : Treat with Bordeaux mixture 1 % (at the rate ml/100 litre or Phosalone 200 ml/100 litre on lower
of 500 ml to 1 litre per plant) or Aliette 80 WP 0.3% (at the surface of leaves
rate of 750 ml per plant)
Cutworm
Clump Rot or Rhizome Rot It feed on leaves of seedlings and it pupates in soil.
Yellowing of leaves and decay of tillers occurs. Rhizomes Treatment : Spray Monocrotophos at the base of the
become soft, dark brown coloured and results in total seedlings
death of the plant
Treatment : Plant sanitation. Drenching of plant base with
Nematodes
2 to 3 litres of COC (0.25%) Necrosis of leaf tips and margins, narrowing of leaves,
thickening of veins, reduction of intermodal length,
Application of bio-agent Trichoderma after phytosanitation
appearance of leaves as rosette and reduction in plant
at the rate of 1 kg/100 kg of cowdung can control some
growth.
extent of rhizome rot and azhukal disease
Treatment : Apply Carbofuran @80 gm/6 m2 bed in
Capsule Canker and Capsule Brown Spots primary nursery and @200 gm./6 m2 bed in secondary
Canker observed as glacy dicoloured eruptions on the nursery.
capsule rind. Capsule brown spot appear as small round During plantation, apply Carbofuran @60-80 gm. per plant
reddish brown lesions on the pericarp of the capsule. or 20-40 gm. of Phorate with 300-500 gm of neem oil cake
Treatment : It can be controlled by spraying with 0.2 % per plant
Bavistin or 0.2 % Dithane M45
Insect Pests in Plantations
Leaf Blight
Drying of leaves occurs during October to February months Cardamom Thrips
Treatment : It can be controlled by one or two rounds Insects cause damage to panicles, flowers and capsules.
of spraying with 1% Bordeaux mixture or 0.3% Aliette or It results in stunted growth; flower dropping and the injury
0.4% Akomin. produced on tender capsules.
Treatment : Remove collateral host plants of thrips.
Remove dry drooping leaves, dry leaf sheaths, old panicles
and other dry plant parts.

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Shoot /Panicle/Capsule Borer • Follow disease and pest control measures timely and
Flower production stopped and larvae feed on the seed effectively.
• Apply sprays in the evening or early morning only.
Treatment : Apply Monocrotophos or Fenthion 0.075 %.

Early Capsule Borer Don’ts

These insects bore and feed flower buds, flowers and • Don’t over irrigate cardamom at any time.
capsules. • For fertigation don’t mix solid fertilizers and dissolve
Treatment : Spary Methylparathion or Monocrotophos them together. Prepare individual solutions and mix
0.05% them for application.
• Don’t make a fire in the field with Drip system.
Cardamom Whitefly • Don’t use the fertigation unit for bulky organic manure
Black sooty mould develops on these and interrupts and fertilizers that are not soluble in water
photosynthesis of the leaves. • Don’t add solid fertilizer from the gunny bag directly
Treatment : It can be controlled by spraying on lower to the fertilizer tank. Prepare solution separately
surface of leaves a mixture of neem oil (500 ml) and Triton and pour the solution to the fertilizer tank. Prepare
(500 ml) in 100 litre of water. solution only in plastic buckets. Don’t use metal
container.
Apply Acephate 0.075% and Triazophos 0.04% .
• Don’t stir the solution with naked unprotected hand.
Pollination Use wooden spoon or stick.
• Cardamom is a cross pollinated plant. Pollination is • Don’t heat the fertilizer solution to increase solubility.
assisted by external agents like honey bees.
• Fruit setting increases in bee pollinated flowers
Frequently asked questions (FAQ’s)
• For effective pollination, four bee colonies per hectare 1. Whether the meagre quantity of water supplied
are required. through drip irrigation is enough?
Irrigation rate in Drip method is estimated based on
Yield the Evapotranspiration of the location and therefore
An average yield per picking of 278 kg/ha (cardamom is it is enough. With conventional hose irrigation water
harvested 6-7 times a year) under drip fertigation (average completely replaces the air in root zone thereby suffocating
yield in conventional irrigation and soil fertilization is only the plant. The last few days of the irrigation cycle the crop
180 kg/ha). also suffers from water stress. The periodical water logging
and stress affects growth and production of cardamom.
Dos 2. Can I prefer Sprinkler method of irrigation for
• Ensure good drainage in the field.
Cardamom ?
• Adopt Subsurface drip irrigation.
No. it is not suitable as it spreads water over the canopy.
• Compulsorily apply organic manure as per
Moreover wastage of water per irrigation will be high.
recommendation
Sprinkler irrigation will induce diseases because the excess
• Select high yielding, disease and pest tolerant variety. humidity is ideal for fungal and bacterial growth. It also
• Strictly follow the irrigation schedule given by the results in persistant weed growth.
engineer.
• Follow the drip system maintenance schedule given by 3. How long the SDI lateral will remain in the field?
the engineer. The laterals will remain functioning for 7-10 years with
• Compulsorily weed/ inter-cultivate, timely operation proper maintenance with care for avoiding mechanical
helps in crop growth. damage. The head control (fiters and fertigation systems)
• Follow fertigation schedule as given by the engineer. will remain functional for 15 years.
• Apply micronutrient as and when needed.

© Copyright: This catalogue has been prepared for providing information about Jain Irrigation Systems Ltd. Jalgaon, India, to the present/ prospective customer. This
catalogue material contains proprietary and confidential information about the company. It should not be used for any purpose, other than the purpose specified here.
No part of this information should be disclosed, reprocessed, copied or stored in any manner without the prior consent, in writing, from the company.
The actual use of the products by the purchaser / customer is beyond the control of JISL and JISL can not be held responsible for any loss and/or any consequential liability arising
out of incorrect or faulty or mis-use of the products.

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