Browsing by Author "Reji Rani, O P."

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    Growth and development of rhizomes in small cardamom [Elettaria cardamomum (L.) Maton]
    (Department of Plantation, Spices, Medicinal and Aromatic Crops, College of Agriculture, 2025) Devika, M P.; Nimisha Mathews; Reji Rani, O P.
    The thesis work entitled “Growth and development of rhizomes in small cardamom [Elettaria cardamomum (L.) Maton] types” was conducted at Cardamom Research Station, Pampadumpara, Idukki during 2023 to 2025. The study aimed at identification of variations in growth and development of rhizomes as well as rhizomatization behaviour of cultivated small cardamom types in the high ranges of Idukki. The present study was conducted through two experiments to assess the growth and development of rhizomes in small cardamom types at monthly interval for period of one year. The first experiment involved plants raised from suckers, while the second focused on those raised from seedlings. Completely Randomised Design (CRD) consisting of 3 treatments (cultivated types) with 5 replications each were followed. The three treatments were T1 (Malabar), T2 (Vazhukka) and T3 (Mysore). The growth parameters, physiological parameters, qualitative as well as quantitative characters of rhizomes and rhizome and root anatomy were recorded and analysed statistically. Significant cultivar-wise differences were observed. For growth parameters, In sucker raised plants, T3 (Mysore) recorded the highest mother tiller height (190.56 cm at 3 MAP) subsequent senescence caused a gradual decline in height. T3 (Mysore) recorded the highest tiller thickness (3.04 cm at 5 MAP) in sucker propagated plants, 2.75 cm at 12 MAP in seedling raised plants. In physiological parameters study, T3 (Mysore) exhibited significantly higher dry matter content of leaves at 12 MAP in suckers (59.40 g) and T2 (Vazhukka) in seedlings (40.03 g). T3 (Mysore) exhibited significantly higher dry matter content of pseudostem at most of the observation stages in both sucker (322.99 g) as well as seedling raised plants (69.85 g). T3 (Mysore) exhibited significantly higher dry matter content of pseudostem at most of the observation stages in both sucker (322.99 g) as well as seedling raised plants (69.85 g). 150 In sucker-propagated small cardamom, the plant base colour remained relatively stable over the 12-month period. T1 (Malabar) exhibited a consistent medium purple pink (N66B), T2 (Vazhukka) showed dominant shades of medium brown green (146C) and medium blue pink (N66D), while T3 (Mysore) featured medium green (140B), light blue pink (69A), and medium blue pink (68C). In seedling-raised plants, the base colour across all types was initially medium green (144A, 140B) from 1 to 4 MAP, transitioning to medium purple pink (N66B) and medium blue pink (N66D) from 5 MAP onward. Rhizome shape in sucker-propagated small cardamom plants showed distinct cultivar-specific patterns: T1 (Malabar) maintained a straight form throughout, T2 (Vazhukka) consistently displayed a curved shape, while T3 (Mysore) exhibited both straight and curved forms. In seedling-propagated plants, T1 retained straight rhizomes, T2 shifted from straight to curved over time, and T3 showed a consistent mix of both shapes. Rhizome skin and flesh colours varied dynamically over the 12-month period in both propagation methods. Skin colour transitioned from lighter yellow-green (154D) to darker green-brown shades (152D, 153D), while flesh colour shifted from light green (145C) to light yellow (150D). Surface texture in sucker-grown plants remained rough throughout, except in newly emerging finger rhizomes, whereas in seedlings, the texture gradually changed from smooth to rough over time. In quantitative rhizome characters, significant difference were observed at early (1-4 MAP), mid (5-8 MAP) and late (9-12 MAP) stages of observation. In sucker-propagated plants, T3 (Mysore) recorded the highest rhizome length during early to mid growth stages (9.24–10.30 cm), while in seedlings, it declined to 2.56–6.74 cm at later stages. T2 (Vazhukka) consistently showed greater rhizome width in suckers (23.17–39.20 mm), while in seedlings, significant differences were noted only at the mid stage. Finger rhizomes in suckers showed a steady node increase, with T2 (Vazhukka) highest (3.00–14.00), followed by T3 (Mysore) (4.80–12.40) and T1 (Malabar) (2.80–12.75). In seedlings, nodes appeared after 3 MAP; T1 (Malabar) had the highest count (1.90–9.40), followed by T2 (2.57–9.40) and T3 151 (2.40–8.63), with no significant differences. Internodes in seedlings increased steadily, with T3 leading (2.60–9.20), followed by T2 (2.20–9.60) and T1 (2.40–8.80). In suckers, internodes rose progressively with T2 (Vazhukka) showing significantly higher mid-stage values (2.40–13.00), followed by T3 (4.00–11.40) and T1 (2.20–11.75). In seedlings, internodes appeared post 3 MAP with no significant variation; T1 (1.50–8.40) led, followed by T2 (1.97–8.40) and T3 (1.80–7.83). T3 (Mysore) seedlings had the longest roots by 12 MAP (6.12–39.07 cm), followed by T1 (6.06–34.27 cm) and T2 (5.73–33.59 cm). In sucker-raised plants, root width was highest in T2 (3.70–7.69 mm), followed by T3 (3.60–7.35 mm). In seedlings, T2 (1.75–4.98 mm) and T3 (1.76–4.89 mm) showed comparable higher widths, with significant variation only at 12 MAP. Fibrous root mat diameter was highest in sucker-grown T2 (24.37–70.16 cm) across early to mid stages. T1 (Malabar) exhibited significantly higher shoot emergence in suckers at later growth stages (1.40–12.80). The study revealed distinct patterns in rhizome growth, development, and behavior, along with associated morphological and anatomical traits, across the three major cultivars—Malabar, Mysore, and Vazhukka—under both seedling- and sucker-origin propagation. Notably, variations in rhizome dynamics were closely linked to differences in vegetative performance, emphasizing the influence of cultivar type on both below- and above-ground growth throughout the study period. Plants raised from suckers consistently exhibited earlier and more vigorous vegetative growth, stable rhizome pigmentation, and better mineral accumulation compared to seedling-derived plants. Among cultivars, T3 (Mysore) showed superior vegetative traits and higher biomass accumulation; T2 (Vazhukka) displayed early bud initiation and delayed senescence; while T1 (Malabar) produced more tillers in sucker-propagated plants. Both Mysore and Vazhukka demonstrated strong potential for rhizome improvement. 152 Anatomically, all cultivars exhibited typical monocotyledonous structures closely resembling ginger, with no significant differences among them, reflecting structural consistency within the Zingiberaceae family. Rhizome traits showed progressive improvement across treatments and proved to be reliable indicators for selection, characterization, and crop improvement. These findings support the development of a standardized rhizome descriptor by integrating rhizome-specific traits into the existing cardamom descriptor framework, thereby enhancing cultivar identification accuracy, facilitating effective germplasm management, and supporting Distinctness, Uniformity, and Stability (DUS) testing.