Nutrient diagnosis of cardamom (Elettaria cardamomum) gardens in South India

Abstract

The nutrient analysis data of 123 samples obtained from cardamom-growing tracts in South India was compared with already worked out leaf nutrient diagnosis and recommendation integrated system (DRIS) indices values to find out the deviation limitation of nutrients from corresponding critical concentrations. The results revealed that 74, 54, 50, 46, 43 , 41, and 38% leaf samples ana yzed have Zn, K, P, Ca, Mg, Cu and Mo concentrations below the required critical values, respectively. The limiting leaf nutrients were in the order Zn > K> P > Ca > Mg >Cu> Mo> Fe> Mn >N. Correlation analysis showed that the soil nutrients at the base of cardamom plants are significantly and positively correlated with soil nutrients at interspaces, leaf nutrients and cardamom yield . An increase in soil pH resulted in in creased availability of soil Ca, Mg and B. Soil organic carbon increased leaf N content , while leaf Ca increased leaf Mo content. Soil available P, K, Cu and leaf Cu were significantly and positively correlated with cardamom yield.