Evaluation of small cardamom accessions for moisture stress

Abstract

High biomass and high yielding cardamom genotypes viz., Green gold, Mysore-2, APG 277, Malabar-18, Compound panicle 7 (CP 7) and Hybrid 36 were screened for moisture stress tolerance. Clonally propagated seedlings were planted in cement pots and grown for one and a half year with recommended package of practices under rainout shelter with three replications and two treatments (control and moisture stress). Moisture stress was imposed by withholding irrigation for two months. Data on morphological and physiological parameters related to drought tolerance were recorded at the initiation, middle and end of stress. Plant height and number of leaves per clump did not record significant variation among the accessions at the initiation of stress. Number of dried leaves increased under stress in all genotypes at the middle of stress. Compound panicle 7 recorded higher reduction in biomass at end of stress period compared to all other accessions. Variation in relative water content between the treatments was non significant. Chlorophyll florescence yield reduced significantly under moisture stress treatment compared to control. Results indicate that genotypes Mysore 2, Green gold and Malabar 18 have better adaptability to drought conditions.