Journ;il or Medicinal and Arumalic Plant Sciences 23 (2001) 606-669.

Differential pattern of return-inflow in relation to various grades of cardamom (Elettar a carda111011111111)
V.S. Korikanthimath, Govardhan Rao, G.M. I-tiremath and D. Prasath
Indian Institute of Spices Research, Cardamom Research Centre, Appangala, Madikert-571 201, Kodagu, Karnataka, India.
Received 20th March, 2000 Abstract A field trial was conducted at MIS Tank Side Estate, Pollibetta, Coorg. Karnataka to study the differential pattern of return-inflow from the various grades of cardamom over a 3 year period (1995-96 to 1997-98). The study showed that, on an average for 3 years, grade 1-7 mm size cardamom fetched higher price of Rs. 483.36/kg accounting for Rs. 2, 51, 571.98 as a total return-inflow of the 79.90 percent of the total quantity of cardamom sold followed by other grades. It was observed that, about 1.75 times more of rcturn-inflow could he expected from the graded lot than from the ungraded lot of cardamom with a differential optimum gain of Rs. I,75,053.58/ha for the same level of average yield. The yield and price realised for the cardamom for 1995-96, 1996-97, 1997-98 years were found to have significant positive association with each other in the respective years.

Key words: Differential pattern, return-inflow, optimum gain, cardamom, significant positive association

Introduction

Cardamom (Eletlaria cat-dam omunr Maton) is the true cardamom of commerce popularly known as Queen of spices. India was enjoying a near monopoly position in the world trade of cardansom till the late seventies, but due to intensive competition from Guatemala [7] situation since then has changed.

India, Sri Lanka, Guatemala and Thailand are the major producers of cardamom in the world. Indian cardamom is known for its characteristic flavour and aroma. Importers in the mi(I(ile cast countries consider Indian cardamom superior to all other cardamom produced in other countries. Therefore, importance of grading of cardamom on scientific fooling is quite imperative to keep up the quality so as to earn greater foreign exchange. As there is no information available on the return inflow in relation to varying grades of dry cardamons 1
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Materials and methods
A research-cum-demonstration trial was taken up from June 1993 to December, 1998. The area lies on gentle slopes spacing northern aspects, it receives an average annual precipitation of 1500 to 1750 mm with 135 to 150 rainy days.
The soils of the trial plot are clayey loath rich in organic matter, low to medium in available phosphorus and medium in potash with a pH range of 5.8 to 6.3. The old robusta coffee was uprooted by just leaving a few bushes in the open and vacant areas to provide initial shade for planting of cardamom. The Malabar type of cardamom, a prostrate type (CV CL 37), 10 months old saplings were planted at 1.8in x 1.£m spacing in one hectare. The intensive management by adopting High Production Technology [2] was followed.

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etailed study was Seven to nine rounds harvesting was done by undertaken in South Coorg, Karnataka by making an picking the physiologically matured capsules (Karikai) attempt to draw the attention of growers about the and fully matured capsules (fruits) by engaging skilled margin of difference in the profits from the cardamom women labour force, at an interval of 15 to 18 days of varying grades. from August to December. After each day's picking,

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FESSOR OF' HOKTIC[ILTURI

Tamil Nadu Ari. University, .