KATTAPPANA: A study conducted by the scientists of Indian Cardamom Research Institute (ICRI), Myladumpara, has revealed the cause of fungal diseases affecting cardamom beans, resulting in their decaying before the maturity period.
It attributes the fungal diseases to a considerable fall in the proportion of living organisms like trichoderma, which is an effective bio-control agent against foliar diseases, as a result of excess use of chemical fertilizers, pesticides and unscientific agricultural practices.
The mobile spice clinic of the ICRI has been visiting cardamom plantations, conducting studies and advising farmers on the means to increase living organisms in the soil as cardamom plants are highly sensitive to climatic changes and soil condition. “We found widespread decay of leaves and beans during the survey in the cardamom cultivated areas of the high ranges. Five years ago, the stumps were found to be affected. This year, leaves too were decaying,” senior scientist A.K. Vijayan, who led the study, said.
The new fungus attacked more during rainfall and an erratic monsoon added to the problems.The ICRI scientists collected samples of soils and affected plants from Vandanmedu, Kattappana, Anakkara, Adimaly, Rajakkad, Kumaly and Puttady. The studies also revealed the positive impact of ‘pseudomonas fluorescens,' a bacterial bio-agent used against rot diseases.
Source:The Hindu,23-9-2010
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