IISR cardamom variety Kaveri developed by IISR’s regional station at Appangala in Madikeri, Kodagu. | Photo credit: Special arrangement
Two cardamom varieties developed by the regional station of the Indian Institute of Spices Research (IISR) in Kozhikode, a body of the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR), were among the 109 climate-resilient crop varieties released by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Delhi on Sunday.
The regional station of ICAR-IISR is located at Appangala in Madikeri and is engaged in conservation, characterization and utilization of cardamom genetic resources.
A press release said the company recently developed two varieties of cardamom called IISR Manushree and IISR Kaveri, which are characterized by their drought resistance.
The two varieties were developed by SJ Anke Gowda, Principal Scientist and Director, ICAR-IISR, RS, Appangala, and his team, the press release said.
These two varieties recently received the necessary regulatory approval from the Central Subcommittee for Cultivation Standards, Notification and Release of Varieties for Horticultural Crops.
The press release states that IISR Manushree has been developed through clonal selection. “This variety is moisture resistant and gives an average yield of 550 kg of capsules per hectare under irrigated conditions,” the press release states. However, under moisture stress conditions, the average yield is 360 kg of dry capsules per hectare, the press release adds.
The outstanding features of the cardamom variety are highlighted in the press release that the essential oil content is 8.74% under irrigation conditions and 8.84% under moisture stress conditions. “This variety is suitable for cultivation in the cardamom growing areas of Karnataka and Kerala,” the press release said.
The scientists said IISR Kaveri is a compact flowering cardamom variety also developed through clonal selection and is moisture stress tolerant. It gives an average yield of 482 kg dry pods per hectare under irrigated conditions and 308 kg dry pods per hectare under moisture stress conditions.
“The variety has a high essential oil content of 9.08% under irrigation conditions and 9.51% under moisture stress conditions and is suitable for cultivation in Karnataka,” the press release added.
The press release pointed out that soil moisture is a limiting factor in increasing cardamom production. Recently, many young people from non-traditional areas have shown interest in cardamom cultivation, but the crop suffers from moisture stress during the summer months. In such places, drought-tolerant cardamom varieties can be tried, the press release said.
Highlighting the market potential, the scientists noted that consumers currently prefer green cardamom and high percentage cardamom pods. Hence, IISR Kaveri could command a higher price with a higher percentage of high percentage pods, the release added.
