MSc

An investigation was conducted at the Upputhara panchayath of Peermede
taluk, in Idukki district of Kerala with the objective to compare the soil properties,
crop nutrient concentrations and quality of cardamom (Elettaria cardamomum Maton)
under organic and conventional farming.' Nine certified organic farms, that follow
IMO and Skal International certification standards and eight adjacent conventional
cardamom farms following recommendations of Spices Board were selected for
investigation.
Fifty samples each of soil and cardamom leaves were drawn from both organic
and conventional farms. Cured cardamom samples were collected from each farm
under study. A proforma was developed in accordance with the standards fixed by
IFOAM for documenting farming practices of the study area Biometric parameters
and yield attributes of cardamom plants were observed directly and yield data for the
organic and conventional cardamom farms were collected from farm records during
the survey.
The orgaruc farms selected for the study did not follow strict package of
practices and there were variations among individual farms, but within the purview of
certification procedures. Conventional and organic farming practices of the study area
differed mainly on fertilization policy, plant protection strategy, weed control and
land management.
Soils of the organic cardamom farms were found to have better aeration than
conventional farms, evident from the significantly lower bulk density of soils of the
organic farrns. Another significant effect of organic agriculture in cardamom was the
improvement of soil electrochemical properties.
The rich organic soils of the study area resulted in insignificant difference in
organic carbon and organic matter content of the soils of the two farming systems.
The ranges of major nutrients in soils were medium to high and hence the difference
between organic and conventional cardamom farms with respect to major nutrients
was also not consistent. Microbes were proliferating in the organic farms resulting in

better decomposition of organic matter with concomitant solubility of major nutrients
in the soil. But dehydrogenase enzyme activity of the soil didn't differ significantly.
Conventional farming with chemical inputs enhanced morphological make up
of cardamom plants. Leaf length, leaf breadth, plant height and number of tillers per
clump were significantly low in organic cardamom plants. A reverse trend was seen in
the case of petiole length.
Panicle length, number of panicles per clump, number of racemes per panicle
and number of capsules per raceme were significantly lower in organic farms
contributing to lower yields, which of course are expected to improve as farming
practices stabilize in due course.
Since the morphological make up of the cardamom plants in the organic farms
was relatively smaller, the minerals taken up were not diluted resulting in higher
concentrations of major nutrients in organically managed plants. The effect of high
levels of Ca in the exchange complex is also reflected in low uptake of Fe and Mn by
organic cardamom plants.
Size of fresh cardamom capsules, colour, and litre weight were higher in the
organically produced cardamom samples. However, the number of seeds per capsule
was lower in organic cardamom. Both oleoresin and volatile oil contents were found
significantly superior in the organic to that of conventional cardamom.