Enhancement of yield in nutmeg (Myristica fragrans Houtt.) through pruning

Enhancement of yield in nutmeg (Myristica fragrans Houtt.) through pruning &nbsp

Evaluation of small cardamom accessions for moisture stress

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 stresstolerance. Clonally propagated seedlings were planted in cement pots and grown for one anda half year with recommended package of practices under rainout shelter with three replicationsand two treatments (control and moisture stress). Moisture stress was imposed by withholdingirrigation for two months. Data on morphological and physiological parameters related todrought tolerance were recorded at the initiation, middle and end of stress.  Plant height andnumber of leaves per clump did not record significant variation among the accessions at theinitiation of stress.  Number of dried leaves increased under stress in all genotypes at themiddle of stress.  Compound panicle 7 recorded higher reduction in biomass at end of stressperiod compared to all other accessions. Variation in relative water content between thetreatments was non significant. Chlorophyll florescence yield reduced significantly undermoisture stress treatment compared to control. Results indicate that genotypes Mysore 2,Green gold and Malabar 18 have better adaptability to drought conditions. &nbsp

Heterosis for seedling characters in cardamom (Elettaria cardamomum Maton)

A study was conducted to assess the nature and extent of relative heterosis, heterobeltiosis and economic heterosis in cardamom (EZettaria cardamomum) hybrids under nursery conditions. Among the 54 cardamom hybrids evaluated for seedling characters, NKE-9 x NKE-34, NKE-19 x NKE-12, NKE-3 x RR-1 and NKE-34 x NKE-12 were the best for plant height, number of leaves per plant, leaf length and leaf breadth, respectively. No positive and significant economic heterosis was observed in the hybrids for number of leaves per plant. Nine hybrids exhibited significantly higher and positive heterobeltiosis and economic heterosis for all the characters studied except number of leaves per plant. &nbsp

Annual and monthly rainfall trend in plantation and spice farming Western Ghats districts

Rainfall analysis of important plantation and spices producing districts such as The Nilgiris (Tamil Nadu), Kodagu (Karnataka) Idukki (Kerala) and Wayanad (Kerala) with 100 years data (1901 to 2000) obtained from the India Meteorological Department (IMD), Pune indicated that mean annual rainfall were 1839.7mm, 2715.7mm, 2979.4mm and 3381.0mm with a coefficient of variation (CV) of 16.0%, 17.0%, 25.8% and 19.6%, respectively. The contribution of southwest monsoon(June-September) to the annual rainfall in these districts were 80.3% (Wayanad), 78.9% (Kodagu),  65.2% (Idukki) and 56.3%  (The Nilgiris) with corresponding CV of 24.1%, 20.6%, 32.5%, and 24.6%, respectively. The declining trend in mean annual rainfall was noticed for Idukki, Wayanad and The Nilgiris, whereas, for Kodagu, it was stable. The change was significant in Wayanad and The Nilgiris. Similar trend was also observed for the southwest monsoon rainfall. The maximum decline in annual and southwest monsoon rainfall was noticed in The Nilgiris followed by Wayanad. Pre and post monsoon rainfall receipts were comparatively less with high inter-annual variations. The pre-monsoon (March-May) receipt and its coefficient of variation (CV) was 252.4mm & 20.6% (Kodagu), 360.9mm & 36.5% (Idukki), 251.7mm & 36.6% (The Nilgiris) and 274.2mm & 54.2% (Wayanad). The post monsoon (October-December) rain was maximum in Idukki 548.1mm (CV 27.9%) followed by The Nilgiris 503.4mm(CV 31.3%), Wayanad, 333.1mm(CV 37.8%) and Kodagu 310.5mm (CV 32.7%). In all these districts there was a declining trend in the pre-monsoon rain with maximum decline in The Nilgiris. Similar declining trend was also observed in post-monsoon rain except for The Nilgiris, where the trend has been increasing. Overall, the study gives an indication that there was a spatial and temporal variation in rainfall amounts.  The maximum decline in annual rainfall and the southwest monsoon was observed in The Nilgiris and Wayanad. July was the rainiest month in all the districts studied. Significant negative trend was asscoaited with The Nilgiris for January, May, June, July and August months. Whereas, in Kodagu, no significant trend was observed for mean monthly rainfall, except for August. In Idukki, significant negative changes were noticed for January, March, October and December rainfall. Monthly rainfall of January, March, April and July monthly rainfall were showed significant negative trend in Wayanad,. These negative trends across important plantation and spices producing districts of the Western Ghats would affect not only the agricultural economy of this sector but also water resources

Current status of viral diseases affecting black pepper and cardamom

Black pepper and cardamom are the important spice crops grown in India and other countries. Viruses are one of the major yield limiting factors in both these spice crops. Viral diseases spread at a faster rate in these spices, as they are vegetatively propagated. Lack of sensitive detection methods has led to the widespread distribution of viral diseases in all black pepper and cardamom growing regions. The viruses infecting these two spice crops have now been identified; characterized and sensitive diagnostics have been developed. Integration of various approaches like use of resistant varieties, virus-free planting materials, vector control and cultural methods are required for the management of viral diseases. Rejuvenation of viral disease affected black pepper plantations through proper soil and plant health management were proved to be successful. The present review deals with characterization, diagnosis and management of viral diseases affecting black pepper and cardamom

Evaluation of insecticides and natural products for their efficacy against cardamom thrips (Sciothrips cardamomi Ramk.) (Thysanoptera: Thripidae) in the field

Eleven insecticides and natural products were evaluated in the field at Appangala (Karnataka) for their efficacy against cardamom thrips (Sciothrips cardamomi) for three years. Combined analysis of three years data indicated that all the treatments were significantly effective in reducing the damage caused by thrips on capsules compared to control when sprayed during February-March, March-April, April-May and September and October. Fipronil 0.005% treated plots recorded the lowest percentage of damage (6.5%) that was on par with imidacloprid 0.0089%, thiamethoxam 0.0075% and spinosad 0.0135%. The trials indicated that spinosad can substitute synthetic insecticides for thrips control in cardamom, due to their less adverse effects on the environment. &nbsp

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Not AvailableRainfall analysis of important plantation and spices producing districts such as The Nilgiris (Tamil Nadu), Kodagu (Karnataka) Idukki (Kerala) and Wayanad (Kerala) with 100 years data (1901 to 2000) obtained from the India Meteorological Department (IMD), Pune indicated that mean annual rainfall were 1839.7 mm, 2715.7 mm, 2979.4mm and 3381.0 mm with a coefficient of variation (CV) of 16.0%, 17.0%, 25.8% and 19.6%, respectively. The contribution of southwest monsoon(June-September) to the annual rainfall in these districts were 80.3% (Wayanad), 78.9% (Kodagu), 65.2% (Idukki) and 56.3% (The Nilgiris) with corresponding CV of 24.1%, 20.6%,32.5%, and 24.6%, respectively. The declining trend in mean annual rainfall was noticed for Idukki, Wayanad and The Nilgiris, whereas, for Kodagu, it was stable. The change was significant in Wayanad and The Nilgiris. Similar trend was also observed for the southwest monsoon rainfall.The maximum decline in annual and southwest monsoon rainfall was noticed in The Nilgiris followed by Wayanad. Pre and post monsoon rainfall receipts were comparatively less with high inter-annual variations. The pre-monsoon (March-May) receipt and its coefficient of variation (CV) was 252.4 mm & 20.6% (Kodagu), 360.9 mm & 36.5% (Idukki), 251.7 mm & 36.6% (The Nilgiris) and 274.2 mm & 54.2% (Wayanad) 252.2 mm. The post monsoon (October-December) rain was maximum in Idukki 548.1 mm (CV 27.9%) followed by The Nilgiris 503.4 mm(CV 31.3%), Wayanad, 333.1 mm(CV 37.8%) and Kodagu 310.5 mm (CV 32.7%). In all these districts there was a declining trend in the pre-monsoon rain with maximum decline in The Nilgiris. Similar declining trend was also observed in post-monsoon rain except for The Nilgiris, where the trend has been increasing. Overall, the study gives an indication that there was a spatial and temporal variation in rainfall amounts. The maximum decline in annual rainfall and the southwest monsoon was observed in The Nilgiris and Wayanad. July was the rainiest month in all the districts studied. Significant negative trend was asscoaited with The Nilgiris for January, May, June, July and August months. Whereas, in Kodagu, no significant trend was observed for mean monthly rainfall, except for August. In Idukki, significant negative changes were noticed for January, March, October and December rainfall. Monthly rainfall of January, March, April and July monthly rainfall were showed significant negative trend in Wayanad,. These negative trends across important plantation and spices producing districts of the Western Ghats would affect not only the agricultural economy of this sector but also water resources.Not Availabl

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Not AvailableTrend analysis of the climatic parameters (past two decades) in major black pepper growing areas of the country showed in general that rainfall is decreasing while temperature is increasing. Black pepper productivity also showed a decreasing trend. Studies on the relationship between climatic parameters and productivity in black pepper showed that December and January rainfall had negative correlation while April and May rainfall had positive correlation. Minimum temperature had positive correlation in higher elevations while both Tmax and Tmin had negative correlation with productivity in plains. Results on the extent of relationship between climatic parameters and productivity revealed that Tmax and Tmin influenced yield more than rainfall or rainy days. Normalized yield deviations (NYD) were worked out (deviations from the mean for two decades) for different stations based on the climatic data for the past two decades. This was regressed with rainfall, Tmax and Tmin to get regression line which can predict the yield deviations if values for rainfall, Tmax and Tmin are substituted in the equation. However, apart from the weather parameters used for the study, other weather variables such as light and humidity and other factors such as cost of cultivation and price for theproduce, diseases and management practices definitely have a role in production and productivity of black pepper.Not Availabl

National Symposium on Spices and Aromatic Crops (SYMSAC IX): Spices for doubling farmer’s income

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Not AvailableAlternate bearing habit, a common phenomenon prevalent in some of the fruit trees is observed in black pepper variety Panniyur-1 also. In this study, an attempt was made to investigate the role of carbohydrates, mineral nutrients and plant hormones (IAA and zeatin riboside) in alternate bearing in Panniyur-1 variety. The experiment was conducted for three consecutive years at Murugarajendra estate, Madikeri, Karnataka, India (12.42° N, 75.73° E). Carbohydrate, mineral nutrient and plant hormone (IAA and zeatin riboside) statuses of the leaves as well as fruiting branches (stem) were compared between good fruiting year (on year) and low fruiting year (off year). Results revealed that concentration of mineral nutrients in leaves was more during on year compared to off year while the reverse was true on the stem. Both stem and leaf metabolite levels at harvest were higher in off year compared to on year suggesting that remobilization of nutrients to the developing berries must have been affected during off year, thus leading to accumulation of more nutri- ents at harvest in off year compared to on year. Leaf had higher concentration of most of mineral nutrients compared to stem. Spraying of 1% solution of complex fertilizer 19:19:19 (percent N:P:K) three times at an interval of 3 weeks from flower primordial initiation to flowering period enhanced the yield to the extent of around 30% during off year. Auxin to cytokinin ratio was 6.6 and 6.1 in on year and 6.3 and 5.7 in off year at flowering and 3 months after flowering re- spectively, suggesting that this ratio itself may not play a major role in flowering during on and off years, though the ratio was slightly more during on year. Results of the study indicate that efficient utilization of metabolites and nutrients in on year may render vine weak in the subsequent year coupled with poor remobilization into developing berries, which could make it an off year.Not Availabl