Soils were collected from various cardamom (EZellaria cardamomum) plantations in Kodagu District (Karnataka, India) and assessed for nutrient status. The soils were acidic (5.0 to 6.6 pH) in nature with high organic carbon content, which decreased with depth of the soil. The soils were medium (56.82%) to high (43.18%) in available nitrogen, low (79.55%) in available phosphorus and low (38.63%) to medium (52.27%) in available potassium. The soil profile collected from cardamom fields indicated relatively higher level of available nitrogen and organic matter than from uncultivated area due to recycling of organic materials in the former. The organic carbon content was correlated positively and significantly with available nitrogen content.
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Ankegowda, V S Korikanthimath, A V Gaddi, S J

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JournaZ of Spices and Aromatic Crops 9 (2) : 117-122 (2000) Status of major nutrients in soils of cardamom (Elettaria cardamomum Maton) plantations in Kodagu District, Karnataka, India v S Korikanthimath, A V Gaddi & S J Ankegowda Indian Institute of Spices Research Cardamom Research Centre AppangaZa, Madikeri - 571" 201, Karnataka, India. Received 12 May 2000; Revised 6 September 2000; Accepted 3 October 2000. Abstract Soils were collected from various cardamom (EZellaria cardamomum) plantations in Kodagu District (Karnataka, India) and assessed for nutrient status. The soils were acidic (5.0 to 6.6 pH) in nature with high organic carbon content, which decreased with depth of the soil. The soils were medium (56.82%) to high (43.18%) in available nitrogen, low (79.55%) in available phosphorus and low (38.63%) to medium (52.27%) in available potassium. The soil profile collected from cardamom fields indicated relatively higher level of available nitrogen and organic matter than from uncultivated area due to recycling of organic materials in the former. The organic carbon content was correlated positively and significantly with available nitrogen content. Key words : cardamom, EZellaria cardamomum, nutrient status, soil. Introduction Cardamom (EZellaria cardamomum Maton) is cultiv-ated in the evergreen forests of Western Ghats of India, 500 to 1500 m above MSL, which normally receives 1500 to 3250 mm rainfall and has a tem-perature range of 15 to 32'C. Leaching of nutrients is common in cardamom plantations due to heavy rainfall and undulating topography. Besides, continuous cultivation of cardamom on the same land leads to depletion of nutrients is the soil resulting in poor growth and reduced yields. A study was hence undertaken to assess the fertility status of soils of cardamom plantations in various locations in Kodagu District, Karnataka (India). f Materials and methods Two soil profiles each (from cardamom area and uncultivated area) were collected from surface (0-15 cm) and subsurface (15-30 em) regions from 44 locations in Kodagu District, Karnataka. The pH of the soil was determined in 1:2.5 soil to solution ratio (Jackson 1973). The wet-oxidation method (Walkley & Black 1934) was used to determine the organic carbon content. The avail-able nitrogen was determined by alkaline per-manganate method (Subbaiah & Asij 1956). The available phosphorus in soil was extracted by Brays and Kurtz method and concentration of P in the solution was estimated colorimetrically by spectrophotometer (Jackson 1973). Available po-tassium and exchangeable calcium were extracted with neutral normal ammonium acetate. The concentration of K+ and Ca2+ in the solution were measured by flame photometer and versenate titration method, respectively (Black 1965). The nutrient levels in the soils were classified as low, medium and high in status according to the classification given by Velayutham & Bhattacharyya (2000). The classification is as follows: Class Nutrient Low Medium High (kg ha-I) (kg ha-I) (kg ha-I) Available nitrogen <280 280-560 >560 Available phosphorus <10 10-25 >25 (p,o,) (22.9) (22.6-57.25) (>57.25) Available potassium <110 110-180 >180 (K,o) (132) (132-216) (>216) 118 Results and discussion The soils collected from various locations were acidic in reaction and the pH values ranged from 5.2 to 5.9 and 5.2 to 5.6 in cardamom and uncul-tivated field profiles, respectively. Its contents decreased with depth in both the profiles. Rela-tively higher pH was observed in cardamom fields when compared to uncultivated fields owing to higher calcium content in the soil (Table 1). The decrease observed down the profile may also be due to decrease in calcium content with profile depth. High rainfall coupled with leaching of bas~s from the soil and increase in the activity of exchangeable aluminium in the soil probably lead to development of soil acidity (Sahu et al. 1990). The surface soils were high in organic carbon, which ranged from 0.6 to 1.53% and 0.39 to 1.38% in first and second profile, respectively. Higher organic matter build up was observed in surface layer, indicating that addition of leaf litter and farm yard manure application was retricted to surface layer only. Similar results were reported earlier by Korikanthimath (1994). All the nutrients namely, N, P and K decreased with depth in both the profiles. The nitrogen in soil profile ranged from 209.9 to 383.2 kg ha·' and 126.1 to 357.0 kg ha·' in first and second profile, respectively. The available nitrogen status was low to medium in both the profiles; however, slightly higher amount of nitrogen was observed in the profile from Korikanthimath et a1. cardamom field than in uncultivated field prob-ably due to the higher organic carbon content in the former. The phosphorus content ranged from 22.8 to 51.7 kg ha-' and 21.6 to 57.0 kg ha-1 and potassium content varied from 89.22 to 130.0 kg ha-' in first and second profile, respectively. The available phosphorus in soil was low to medium and potassium was low in status. Both the nutrients decreased with profile depth probably because application of nutrients is confined to surface layer. The low potassium content in these soils may be due to the type of parent material (shale) from which they have been developed. The main source of potassium in these soil appears to be K-feldspars which resist the release of potassium because of bonding of K in the silicate structure that offers considerable resistance to release (Panda 1978). The soil profile collected from cardamom fields had relatively higher content of organic carbon as well as available nutrients. The addition of leaf biomass was more in cardamom fields compared to uncultivated fields. This might have resulted in higher organic carbon and available nutrients in the soil (Korikanthimath 1994). The soils collected from surface and subsurface layers in different plantations were also analysed for pH, organic carbon and major nutrients (Table 2). The soils were acidic in nature which indicates Table 1. Major nutrient distribution in soil profiles of cardamom fields and uncultivated fields Depth pH DC Av. N Av. P20S Av. K,o Ca (em) (1:2.5) (%) (kg ha-') (kg ha-') (ppm) I Profile (cardamom field) 0-15 5.9 1.53 383.2 51.7 130.0 537.5 15-30 5.8 1.39 292.7 47.8 98.0 287.5 30-45 5.8 1.28 266.6 45.8 92.0 250.0 45-60 5.7 0.69 248.8 34.4 90.0 212.5 60-75 5.6 0.63 214.2 22.9 89.2 175.0 75-90 5.5 0.60 209.9 22.8 89.2 167.5 II Profile (uncultivated field) 0-15 5.6 1.38 357.0 57.0 130.0 212.5 15-30 5.5 0.80 245.1 45.8 102.0 162.5 30-45 5.4 0.60 207.1 42.4 90.0 162.5 45-60 5.2 0.43 185.6 36.6 83.0 150.0 60-75 5.2 0.39 161.8 30.9 80.0 147.0 75-90 5.2 0.39 126.1 21.6 80.0 142.0 o C - Organic carbon Nutrient status in cardamom soils 119 Table' 2. Fertility status of soils in different cardamom plantations Location Depth pH OC Av. N Av. P20S Av. K,O f (em) (1:2.5) (%) (kg ha·l ) . (kg ha·l ) (kg ha·l ) ~, !" Madikeri Taluk 1. Neerkaji Estate 0-15 5.0 0.9 334 (M) 27.5 (M) 195.0 (M) Biligere - A 15-30 5.1 0.9 316 (M) 11.0 (L) 114.0 (L) 2. Neerkaji Estate 0-15 5.8 0.9 364 (M) UDL 123.0 (L) Biligere - B 15-30 5.4 0.8 348 (M) UDL 114.0 (L) 3. Neerkaji Estate 0-15 5.6 0.9 316 (M) 65.3 (H) 153.0 (M) Biligere - C 15-30 5.5 0.5 300 (M) 2.2 (L) 114,0 (M) 4. M M Cariappa Estate, 0-15 5.7 1.8 518 (M) UDL 144.0 (M) Heravanadu 15-30 5.4 0.5 478 (M) UDL 144.0 (M) 5. M C Chengappa Estate, 0-15 5.8 1.5 52 (M) UDL 332.4 (H) Bettageri 15-30 5.5 0.9 434 (M) UDL 310.0 (H) 6. M C Ganapathy Estate, 0-15 5.7 1.8 610 (H) 52.0 (H) 294.0 (H) Bettageri 15-30 5.5 1.4 516 (M) UDL 231.0 (H) 7. Ganagava Estate, 0-15 5.9 1.5 452 (M) 11.1 (L) 105.0 (L) Bettageri 15.30 5.7 1.4 376 (M) UDL 81.0 (L) 8. B M Ganapathy Estate, 0-15 5.9 0.6 328 (M) 11.1 (L) 111.0 (L) Bettageri 15-30 5.7 0.5 230 (L) UDL 94.0 (L) 9. M A Somaiah Estate, 0-15 6.1 0.9 446 (M) 2.2 (L) 387.0 (H) Aruvathoklu 15-30 5.9 0.8 288 (M) UDL 306.0 (H) 10. M A Thimmaiah 0-15 5.6 1.5 448 (M) UDL 171.0 (M) Estate, Cherambane 15-30 5.4 1.3 382 (M) UDL 165.0 (M) 11. M A Kusyalappa 0-15 5.5 1.5 510 (M) 11.0 (L) 120.0 (L) Estate, Kopatty 15-30 5.3 1.3 412 (M) UDL 93.0 (L) 12. P A Basappa Estate, 0-15 5.8 2.1 602 (H) UDL 174.0 (M) Kopatty 15-30 5.6 1.3 498 (M) UDL 123.0 (L) 13. N B Krishalappa Estate, 0-15 6.0 1.9 674 (H) UDL 204.0 (M) Kolagadal 15-30 5.9 1.5 624 (H) UDL 171.0 (M) 14. M A Kushalappa Estate, 0-15 5.9 2.1 622 (H) 4.3 (L) 219.0 (M) Cherambane 15-30 5.8 1.4 560 (M) UDL 174.0 (M) 15. P M Devaiah Estate, 0-15 5.9 1.7 604 (H) UDL 195.0 (M) Cherambane 15-30 5.7 1.4 468 (M) UDL 111.0 (L) 16. Vijaya Estate, 0-15 5.6 1.7 566 (M) UDL 201.0 (M) Kolagadal 15-30 5.5 1.4 518 (M) UDL 162.0 (M) 17. M M Uthaiah Estate, 0-15 5.9 1.8 594 (H) 6.8 (L) 225.0 (H) Kargunda 15-30 5.7 1.1 516 (M) UDL 171.0 (M) 18. Joyappa Estate, 0-15 5.8 1.5 484 (M) UDL 152.0 (M) Singathur 15-30 5.6 1.1 516 (M) UDL 93.0 (L) 19. B A Aehiah Estate, 0-15 5.9 1.8 372 (M) UDL 195.0 (M) Bhagamandala 15-30 5.7 1.4 338 (M) UDL 153.0 (M) 20. Annappa Estate, 0-15 5.4 1.3 672 (H) UDL 129.0 (L) Bhagamandala 15-30 5.3 1.2 504 (M) UDL 111.0 (L) Cardamom Research Centre, Appangala, Madikeri Taluk 21. Block 1 0-15 5.9 1.9 548 (M) UDL 111.0 (L) 15-30 5.8 1.8 526 (M) UDL 95.0 (L) Continued next page 120 Korikanthimath et al. Table 2. (Continued) Location Depth pH OC Av. N Av. P205 Av. K,O (em) (1:2.5) (%) (kg ha·') (kg ha·') (kg ha·') 22. Block 2 0-15 5.4 1.3 502 (M) VDL 111.0 (L) 15-30 5.2 1.2 460 (M) VDL 102.0 (L) 23. Block 3 0-15 5.8 1.9 554 (M) VDL 153.0 (M) 15-30 5.6 1.3 464 (M) UDL 144.0 (M) 24. Block 4 0-15 5.3 2.4 644 (H) 8.9 (L) 195.0 (M) 15-30 5.2 1.6 492 (M) UDL 136.0 (L) 25. Block 5 0-15 6.3 1.7 630 (H) 25.5 (M) 116.0 (L) 15.30 6.0 1.3 620 (H) 18.6 (L) 112.0 (L) 26. Block 6 0-15 6.3 1.8 630 (H) 34.0 (M) 116.0 (L) 15-30 5.9 1.4 460 (M) 30.8 (M) 74.0 (L) 27. Block 7 0-15 6.5 2.2 572 (M) UDL 82.0 (L) 15-30 6.3 1.9 540 (M) VDL 120.0 (L) 28. Block 8 A 0-15 6.2 1.8 784 (H) VDL 116.0 (L) 15-30 6.0 1.2 476 (M) VDL 100.0 (L) 29. Block 8 B 0-15 6.4 1.2 492 (M) VDL 144.0 (M) 15-30 5.9 1.0 468 (M) VDL 134.0 (L) 30. Block 8 C 0-15 6.6 1.4 628 (H) 54.4 (M) 102.0 (L) 15-30 6.0 1.0 590 (H) 47.2 (M) 82.0 (L) 31. Block 8 D 0-15 5.9 1.4 510 (M) 32.4 (M) 132.0 (L) 15-30 5.6 0.9 334 (M) 22.6 (L) 78.0 (L) 32. Block 9 0-15 6.0 1.5 726 (H) VDL 96.0 (L) 15-30 5.6 1.0 316 (M) VDL 58.0 (L) 33. Block 10 0-15 6.3 1.7 560 (M) 34.3 (M) 152.0 (M) 15-30 6.0 0.9 476 (M) 30.4 (M) 128.0 (L) 34. Block 11 0-15 5.8 1.9 566 (M) VDL 134.0 (L) 15-30 5.4 1.5 616 (H) VDL 114.0.(L) 35. Block 12 A 0-15 6.0 1.8 574 (M) VDL 186.0 (M) 15-30 5.8 1.1 420 (M) VDL 120.0 (L) 36. Block 12 B 0-15 6.3 2.0 628 (H) VDL 168.0 (M) 15-30 6.0 1.6 540 (M) VDL 72.0 (L) 37. Block 13 0-15 5.9 2.0 872 (H) VDL 190.0 (M) 15-30 5.3 1.8 666 (H) VDL 86.0 (L) 38. Block 14 A 0-15 6.6 2.8 314 (M) 55.0 (M) 146.0 (M) 15-30 6.2 2.2 280 (L) 44.6 (M) 70.0 (L) 39. Block 14 B 0-15 6.2 1.8 622 (H) 11.2 (L) 178.0(M) 15-30 6.0 1.1 608 (H) VDL 74.0 (L) 40. Black 15 A 0-15 6.1 2.1 608 (M) 15.6 (L) 120.0 (L) 15-30 5.8 1.4 468 (M) UDL 80.0 (L) 41. Block 15 B 0-15 5.8 1.7 468 (M) VDL 170.0 (M) 15-30 5.4 1.1 454 (M) VDL 80.0 (L) 42. Block 16 0-15 6.0 1.8 730 (H) VDL 138.0 (M) 15-30 5.9 1.5 712 (H) VDL 76.0 (L) 43. Block 17 0-15 6.1 2.0 720 (H) 61.0 (H) 188.0 (M) 15-30 5.8 1.7 628 (H) 13.2 (L) 98.0 (L) 44. Block 18 0-15 6.2 2.1 568 (M) VDL 116.0 (L) 15-30 5.7 1.4 558 (M) VDL 104.0 (L) OC - Organic carbon; UDL - Undetectable; L _ Low; M _ Medium; H - High fNutrient status in cardamom soils ~, 121 ~<' Table 3. Correlation between organic carbon and available nutrients in cardamom soils pH OC pH 0;(341* OC N P,05 a c =:: Organic carbon that these soils have been developed under humid tropical conditions with high rainfall and tem-perature. The pH ranged from 5.0 (Plot No.1) to 6.6 (Plot No. 31) and in all the soils studied, the surface soils recorded relatively higher pH when compared to the subsurface horizon. All the soils were high in organic matter except Plot No.8 which was medium (0.6%). Some of the N P205 K,o 0.146 0.132 0.177 0.382** -0.055 0.042 -0.198 0.038 -0.071 while supplying the inorganiC source care must be taken to avoid fertilizers which aggravate the problem of soil acidity. The availability of phosphorus in the soils was very low (79.5%) except in Plot Nos. 1 (27.5 kg ha· 1),3 (65.3 kg), 6 (52.0 kg), 26 (25.5 kg), 27 (34.0 kg), 31 (54.4 kg), 32 (32.4 kg), 39 (55.0 kg) and 40 (61.0 kg) and even some of the soils recorded unde-Table 4. Classification of soils in cardamom plantations based on fertility status Nutrient! Av. N (%) Av. P,05 (%) Av. K,o (%) Class Low Medium 25* (56.8)** High 19 (43.2) * Number of samples in a particular class ** Percentage to corresponding class 35* 7 2 plots namely, Nos. 12, 14, 25, 28, 37, 38, 39, 41 and 44 recorded more than 2% of organic carbon and it was higher at surface layer than the lower layer. Organic carbon content was positively and sig-nificantly correlated with available nitrogen (r=0.382**). This indicates enhanced availability of nitrogen with higher organic matter content. Ho-wever, there was a negative and non significant relationship with available phosphorus. Thus it is obvious that organic carbon is a main source of organic P which is not available to the plant (Table 3). According to the classification, the soils studied were medium (56.82%) to high (43.18%) in available nitrogen status (Table 4). The highest available nitrogen of 784.0 kg ha·l was noticed in Plot No. 29 and lowest of 316.0 kg ha·l in Plot No. 3. In general the distribution or availability of nitrogen followed the distribution of organic carbon content in the soil (r=0.382**). Most of the soils were medium in available nitrogen, so it is necessary to provide nitrogen to the plants through organic or inorganic means. However, (79.6)** 17* (38.6)** (15.9) 23 (52.3) (4.5) 4 (9.5) tectable level of phosphorus. It indicates that the soils are deficient in soil phosphorus and the applied phosphorus may get chemisorbed be-cause of the presence of higher amounts of free and totalsequioxides in soils. Sushrna (1994), who observed that change of absorbed P from chemicsorbed state, which is an irreversible form, also reported similar results. The soils were low (36.63%) to medium (52.27%) in available potassium except in Plot Nos. 5 (387.0 kg ha·l ), 6 (294.0 kg), 9 (387.0 kg) and 17 (225.0 kg), which were high in potassium status. All the soils recorded more of available potassium at surface layer as compared to the lower depths and were correlated positively and non significantly with organic carbon. Similar results were reported by Krishnamurthy et al. (1989) and Zachariah (1975). References Black C A 1965 Methods of Soil Analysis Part I & II. Agronomy Monograph No.9. American Society of Agronomy, Madison. 122 Jackson M L 1973 Soil Chemical Analysis-Advanced Course (2 Edn). University of Wisconsin, Madi-son. Krishnamurthy K, Khan M M, Avadhani K K, Venkatesh J, Siddaramaiah A L, Chakravarthy A K & Gurumurthy B R 1989 Three Decades of Carda-mom Research at Regional Research Station, Mudigere (1958-1989), Regional Research Sta-tion, Mudigere. Korikanthimath V S 1994, Nutrition of cardamom. Adv. Hart. 9 : 467-477. Ponda N 1978 Potassium Dynamics in Indian Laterite soils - Potassium in Soils and Crops. Potash ~ Research ~nstitute of India, New Delhi. Sahu G C, Patnaik S N & Das P K 1990 Morphology, genesis, mineralogy and classification of soils of Korikanthimath et a!. northern plateau zone of Orissa. J. Indian Soc. Soil Sci. 38 : 116-121. Subbaih B V & Asij G L 1956 A rapid procedure for the determination of available nitrogen in soils. Curro Sci. 25 : 259-260. Sushma 1994 Kinetics, transformation and availability of phosphorus in coastal laterite soils of Karna-taka. Ph D thesis, University of Agricultural Sciences, Bangalore. Velayutham M & Bhattacharyya T 2000 Soil Resource Management. Proceedings, International Con-ference on Managing Natural Resource for Sustainable Agricultural Production in the 21st Century, New Delhi. Zachariah P K 1975 The fertility status of cardamom growing soil. Cardamom News 7 (3) : 5-8. 

Status of major nutrients in soils of cardamom (Elettaria cardamomum Maton) plantations in Kodagu District, Karnataka, India

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Status of major nutrients in soils of cardamom (Elettaria cardamomum Maton) plantations in Kodagu District, Karnataka, India

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