Characterization of genotypes of small cardamom (Elettaria cardamomum Maton) for yield parameters and disease resistance

Abstract

Small cardamom (Elettaria cardamomumMaton), also known as ‘Queen of Spices’, is the dried capsule of perennial herbaceous plant belonging to the family Zingiberaceae. Being a cross pollinated crop and propagated mostly through seeds, a lot of diversity exists in the natural population of wild and cultivated traits of cardamom in Western Ghats. Generally, when compared to Malabar morphotypes, Vazhukka and Mysore types are more robust. Various types of panicles, branched raceme, female sterility and cleistogamy are some of the exceptional variants observed in cardamom (Madhusoodanan et al., 1994). Padmini et al. (2001) reported the occurrence of variability within and between cultivars of small cardamom for economically important characters. About 600 cardamom genotypes have been maintained at National Active Germplasm Site at ICAR-IISR Regional Station, Appangala. The ultimate utilization of germplasm material depends on the appropriate and adequate characterization of available variability; besides its collection and conservation. Genetically resistant cultivars/varieties have been the major component in the integrated disease management (IDM).