CULTIVATION

SOWING : Seedlings or scukers can be used for propagation Seedlings are normally raised in primary and secondary nurseries

PREPARATION OF THE FIELD Dig pits of 60 cm x 60 cm x 60 cm size and fill with compost and top soil. Contour planting may be done in slopy areas

IRRIGATION Generally Cardamom is grown as a rainfed crop, but provide sprinkler irrigation during summer for increased yields.

MANURING Apply compost 25 t/ha; 75 kg N; 75 kg P and 150 kg K/ha in two split doses during June - July and October - November.

HARVESTING AND PROCESSING: Cardamom plants normally start bearing two years after planting. The yield ranges from 200 -250 Kg/ha 8

HARVESTING

The cardamom plants start bearing two to three years after planting. Panicles appear from the base of the plants; it is generally starting to appear on January on ward. The flowering starts from April to August or even after The peak stage of flowering is may to June. Maturing time for fruit is up to 120 days after flowering Fruits are small trilocular capsules containing15-20 seeds. On maturity, seeds turn dark brown to black. Harvesting commences in August- September and extends into February- March of the next year. Matured cardamom capsules are picked up

POST HARVESTING

CLEANING : The crop should be cleaned before processing. The first stage is to remove dust and dirt using a winnowing basket. After winnowing the crop needs to be washed in water, the capsules are washed thoroughly in water to remove any soil that has adhered to them.

CURING : - Soaking green (wet) -2 per cent sodium carbonate solution for 10 min -Fixes green colour during subsequent drying and storage. - Quick dip of capsules in hot water at 40 °C and dipping capsules for 10 min in 2 per cent sodium carbonate - Better retention of green colour of cured capsules. - Pre-soaking of capsules in copper formulations and chemicals like NAA, IAA, GA and magnesium sulphate- retain more chlorophyll

- DRYING : o Cardamom capsules carry moisture levels of 70-80% at harvest. o For proper storage, the initial moisture level has to be brought down to 8-10%. • o Cardamom capsules need to be dried within 24 h, any further delay would result in deterioration of green colour and appearance.

GRADING:
- AGEB Alleppey Green Extra Bold Size 7mm above wt/lt 435 gms - AGB Alleppey Green Bold Size 6mm above wt/lt 415gms - AGS Alleppey Green Superior Size 5mm above wt/lt 385 gms AGS‐1 - Alleppey Green Shipment Green‐1Size 4mm above wt/lt 350gms - AGS‐2 Alleppey Green Shipment Green‐2Size 4mm above wt/lt 320gms

STORAGE

- Dried cardamom capsules must be stored in moistureproof containers away from direct sunlight.
- For long term bulk storage, polythene-lined gunny bags inside wooden boxes are used.
- The polythene bags help to preserve the green colour of the pods.
- It is essential that the capsules are fully dry before they are placed in the gunny bags for storage