|
Nutrient Management
Fertilizer recommendation
Fertilizer use has become a regular operation in cardamom plantations. Indiscriminate
application of chemical fertilizers will do more harm to the crop than applying
no fertilizer at all. Hence, it is absolutely essential that the planters follow
a judicious fertilizer schedule to achieve satisfactory return and also reduce cost
of cultivation. Whether fertilizer is applied or not, organic manure is a must for
cardamom crop.
Schedule
for the use of NPK fertilizers
|
a) Soil application
|
|
Age of plants
|
Rainfed areas (kg/ha)
|
Irrigated areas (kg/ha)
|
|
1st year of planting
|
Nitrogen – 25
Phosphorus – 25
Potassium – 50
(2 split applications)
|
Nitrogen – 25
Phosphorus – 25
Potassium – 50
(2 split applications)
|
|
2nd year of planting
|
Nitrogen – 40
Phosphorus – 40
Potassium – 80
(2 split applications)
|
Nitrogen – 60
Phosphorus – 60
Potassium – 80
(3 split applications)
|
|
3rd year of planting
|
Nitrogen – 75
Phosphorus – 75
Potassium – 150
(2 split applications)
|
Nitrogen – 125
Phosphorus – 125
Potassium – 250
(3 split applications)
|
|
b. Foliar application
|
|
Age of plants
|
Both rainfed & irrigated areas
|
|
1st year of planting
|
DAP - 2%
|
(2 kg/100 litres water)
(2 applications)
|
|
2nd year of planting
|
DAP - 2%
+
MOP - 1%
|
(2 applications)
|
|
3rd year of planting
|
DAP - 2%
+
MOP - 2%
|
(3 applications)
|
|
OR
|
|
Urea - 3%
+
SSP - 1%
MOP - 2%
|
(3 applications)
|
|
c) Soil cum foliar application (For yielding plants only)
|
|
Rainfed areas
|
Irrigated areas
|
Soil application (kg/ha)
Nitrogen – 40
Phosphorus – 40
Potassium – 80
(Single application i.e. May/June)
|
Soil application (kg/ha)
Nitrogen – 80
Phosphorus – 80
Potassium – 160
(2 split applications i.e. in May/June & Sept/Oct)
|
Foliar application
DAP - 2%
+ MOP - 2%
OR Urea - 3%
+ SSP - 1%
MOP - 2%
(2 applications i.e. in Sept/Oct & Nov/Dec)
|
Foliar application
DAP - 2%
+ MOP - 2%
OR Urea - 3%
+ SSP - 1%
MOP - 2%
(2 applications i.e. in Oct/Nov& Dec/Jan)
|
|
DAP - Di-ammonium phosphate MOP - Muriate of potash
SSP - Single superphosphate
|
Planters may choose any one of the schedules given under a, b and c. However, they
are advised to get their soil samples tested before making soil application of fertilizers.
The samples may be sent to Indian Cardamom Research Institute, Myladumpara, Kailasanadu
P.O., Idukki-685553.
Time &
method of application
|
Application
|
Time
|
|
Soil application
|
May/June
Sept/Oct
Dec/Jan
|
|
Foliar application
|
Aug/Sept
Oct/Nov
Dec/Jan
|
Source: www.indianspices.com
Method
of application
Soil application
After removing the mulches around the plant base, the fertilizers may be applied
in a circular band of width 15 cm, leaving 30 cm from the plant base and thoroughly
mixed with the top 5 to 7 cm of the surface soil with hand-fork. The fertilizer-applied
area may be covered again with mulches.
Foliar application
The spray solution containing the fertilizers in the prescribed proportions may
be applied to the foliage of the plant covering both sides of the leaves, using
hand sprayer or knapsack sprayer. The application should not be made on a rainy
day. A clear sky or even a cloudy condition may be considered suitable for the application.
It may be noted that the number of split applications may be increased to more than
2 or 3 because smaller doses give better results.
Application
of organic manures
Organic manures are considered essential in improving the physical characteristics
of the soil, in addition to their nutrient value. Application of organic manures
such as neem cake (@ 1-2 kg/plant) or poultry manure / farmyard manure / cowdung
compost (@ 2-5 kg/plant) may be made once in a year, during May/June along with
mussooriephos (180 g/plant) and muriate of potash (90 g/plant). The manures should
be thoroughly mixed with surface soil after application. For the subsequent application
to be made in September, organic manures need not be applied.
In valley area and in high fertile soils, soil-application of chemical fertilizers
may be avoided. Instead, one round of organic manures may be applied (during May/
June) and NPK fertilizers given as foliar sprays as per schedule given.
Lime/dolomite
application
The results of field experiments on the effect of lime/ dolomite showed that application
of lime/dolomite does not have any significant effect on cardamom growth and yield.
Moreover, correlation analysis of foliar nutrient content with yield of cardamom
indicated that enhanced uptake of calcium and magnesium beyond certain limit may
cause decline in the cardamom production. On the basis of these findings, it is
now considered that application of lime/dolomite is not necessary for cardamom.
Use of
micronutrients
Micronutrient survey conducted recently showed that zinc deficiency is widespread
in cardamom soils. Moreover, application of 500 ppm of zinc to the foliage is found
to enhance not only growth and yield of cardamom but also the quality of the produce.
Hence, it is recommended that zinc may be applied as a foliar spray as zinc sulphate
@ 250 g per 100 litres of water during April/May and Sept/Oct. Approximately 1.5
kg zinc sulphate will be needed for one application per hectare. It should not be
mixed with any insecticide / fungicide/ fertilizer. The survey results also showed
that iron and copper are not deficient in soils. The results of a field experiment
indicated that boron might have antagonistic effect over zinc if applied together
on cardamom. Based on this information, it is considered not advisable to use multi-micronutrient
formulations for cardamom.
|