Climate, soil and varieties (hill crop in the source)
Cardamom (yalakulu) is a shade-loving hill crop for 600–1200 m (best at 900–1200 m), with 1500–4000 mm of evenly spread rain, February–April showers for new panicles, 10–32 °C and 40–60% shade; avoid windy areas. Soil: well-drained forest loam or red lateritic soil rich in organic matter, pH 5.5–6.0; it cannot tolerate waterlogging. Planting: June–December. Types and varieties include Malabar (Mudigere 1, Mudigere 2, PV 1, ICRI 1, ICRI 3, IISR Suvasini, IISR Vijetha, IISR Avinash, Appangala 2), Mysore (ICRI 2) and Vazhukka (PV 2, Njallani Green Gold, PGB 1).
Pending expert review
Source
Crop Production Guide – Horticulture Crops 2020 (Directorate of Horticulture and Plantation Crops, Tamil Nadu & Tamil Nadu Agricultural University (TNAU)), Cardamom – Varieties; soil and climate; season, p. 168
