NEWS – Institute of Spices Research (IISR), Kozhikode, a constituent body of the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR), were among 109 climate-resilient crop varieties released by Prime Minister

HIGHLIGHTS

Cardamom Varieties Released by PM Modi

– Developed by ICAR-IISR regional station at Appangala, Madikeri

– Two varieties: IISR Manushree and IISR Kaveri

– Characteristic feature: drought tolerance

IISR Manushree

– Developed through clonal selection

– Tolerant to moisture stress

– Average yield: 550 kg/ha (irrigated), 360 kg/ha (moisture-stress)

– Essential oil content: 8.74% (irrigated), 8.84% (moisture-stress)

– Suitable for cultivation in Karnataka and Kerala

IISR Kaveri

– Compact flowering variety

– Developed through clonal selection

– Tolerant to moisture stress

– Average yield: 482 kg/ha (irrigated), 308 kg/ha (moisture-stress)

– Essential oil content: 9.08% (irrigated), 9.51% (moisture-stress)

– Suitable for cultivation in Karnataka

Importance of Drought-Tolerant Varieties

– Soil moisture is a limiting factor in cardamom production

– Drought-tolerant varieties can be tried in non-traditional areas

– Recently, many youngsters have shown interest in cultivating cardamom in non-traditional areas