Source: TH
Context: An international research team has identified two new species of cardamom in Kerala’s Western Ghats, expanding the genus Elettaria to seven species.
- What is Cardamom?
- Known as the “Queen of Spices,” cardamom (Elettaria cardamomum) is a highly aromatic spice belonging to the Zingiberaceae (ginger) family.
- Native to the evergreen rainforests of the Western Ghats in South India, it is primarily cultivated in Kerala, Karnataka, and Tamil Nadu.
- Climatic Conditions for Growth:
- Rainfall: 1500–4000 mm annually.
- Temperature: 10°C to 35°C.
- Altitude: 600–1500 meters above sea level.
- Soil: Acidic, loamy, and humus-rich forest soils with a pH of 5.0–6.5.
- State-wise Production:
- Kerala: Contributes 58% of India’s cardamom production, primarily in Idukki district.
- Karnataka: Major production in Kodagu and Chikmagalur districts.
- Tamil Nadu: Cultivated in the Nilgiri hills.
- Newly Identified Cardamom Species:
- Elettaria facifera: Found in Periyar Tiger Reserve, Idukki.
- Elettaria tulipifera: Discovered in Agasthyamalai hills (Thiruvananthapuram) and Munnar (Idukki).
- These species were previously misclassified under the genus Alpinia and have now been reclassified under Elettaria.
- Significance of the Discovery:
- Biodiversity Conservation: Highlights the rich flora of the Western Ghats, a global biodiversity hotspot.
- Genetic Resources: Offers potential for developing new cardamom varieties with enhanced traits like disease resistance and higher yield.
- Economic Impact: Strengthens India’s position as a leading cardamom producer and exporter, second only to Guatemala globally.
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