Cardamom (Elettaria cardamomum)
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.
Apply any of following during June-July.
- Farmyard manure/ cowdung / compost : 5 kg / plant
- Neem cake : 1-2 kg / plant
Fertilizer dosage
- N:P2O5:K2O - 75:75:150 kg/ha
Method of application- Applied in two split doses
- Before the southwest monsoon
- After the southwest monsoon
- Apply in a circular band of 20 cm wide and 30-40 cm away from the base of the clumps and mixed with soil.
- Applied in two split doses
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 of year 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 of year planting | DAP - 2% + MOP - 2% |
(3 split 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 | ||
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 applicationThe 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.
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.
