description :

• tamarind (tamarindus indica) is a leguminous tree bearing edible fruit that is indigenous to tropical africa. The genus tamarindus is monotypic, meaning that it contains only this species.
• the tamarind tree produces brown, pod-like fruits that contain a sweet, tangy pulp, which is used in cuisines around the world. The pulp is also used in traditional medicine and as a metal polish. The tree's wood can be used for woodworking and tamarind seed oil can be extracted from the seeds. Tamarind's tender young leaves are used in indian cuisine. Because tamarind has multiple uses, it is cultivated around the world in tropical and subtropical zones.
• the tamarind is a long-lived, medium-growth tree, which attains a maximum crown height of 12 to 18 metres (39 to 59 ft). The crown has an irregular, vase-shaped outline of dense foliage. The tree grows well in full sun. It prefers clay, loam, sandy, and acidic soil types, with a high resistance to drought and aerosol salt (wind-borne salt as found in coastal areas).
• the evergreen leaves are alternately arranged and pinnately lobed. The leaflets are bright green, elliptic-ovular, pinnately veined, and less than 5 cm (2.0 in) in length. The branches droop from a single, central trunk as the tree matures, and are often pruned in agriculture to optimize tree density and ease of fruit harvest. At night, the leaflets close up.
• as a tropical species, it is frost-sensitive. The pinnate leaves with opposite leaflets give a billowing effect in the wind. Tamarind timber consists of hard, dark red heartwood and softer, yellowish sapwood.

soil and climategrown on variety of soils ranging from poor degraded, eroded, gravelly, saline and alkaline soils. Productivity is higher in red loamy, deep well drained soils. The absolute maximum temperature varies from 36-47.50 c and the absolute minimum temperature varies from 0-17.50 c. Rainfall requirement 750-1900 mm. Altitude up to 100 m above msl.

propagation
seeds / grafts
nursery: fresh seeds are sown in nursery beds in march april. Soaking of seeds in 10 per cent cow urine or in cow dung solution (500 g in 10 l of water) for 24 hours. Two year old seedlings are transplanted to the main field.

vegetative propagation

• softwood grafting: march- april
• air layering: shoots treated with iba 4000 ppm.

spacing8-10m x 8-10m is adopted.

plantingthe grafts should be planted in the pits of 1 m x 1 m x 1 m filled with fym and top soil. add 50 g of methyl parathion 1.3% dust in the pit. Immediately after planting, support the graft with stakes.

varieties :

• pkm 1
• urigam
• hasanur,
• tumkur prathisthan,
• dts 1,
• yogeshwari.

management :
trainingearly training is necessary to form a high head and uniform scaffold branches in all directions.

pruningremoval of dried, diseased and criss cross branches.

plant protection

• pests
• leaf caterpillar (achaea janata)
• leaf caterpillar can be controlled by spraying quinalphos 25 ec 2 ml/lit or monocrotophos 36 wsc 2 ml/lit.

irrigation :regular watering should be given once in seven days.

fertilizersapply 200:150:250 g of npk per tree per year along with 25 kg of fym and 2 kg of neem cake.

aftercultivation

• remove the rootstock sprouts.
• remove the dried and diseased parts.
• intercrops like leguminous crops, short duration vegetables, annual drumstick, sesamum and sorghum

Description : Turmeric is a spice which can enhance the tint of any Dish. It has been used in India for over thousands of years as a spice and also as a medicinal herb. The world of science has recently concluded the efficacy of turmeric which we Indian have known for a long time. Turmeric has been used in Asia for over thousands of years and is a major part of Ayurveda, Siddha medicine, traditional Chinese medicine  and the animistic rituals of Austronesian peoples. It was first used as a dye , and then later for its supposed properties in folk medicine.

Varieties :

• Co 1
• BSR 1
• Roma
• Swarna
• Sudarshana
• Suguna
• Sugandham
• BSR 2
• Ranga
• Rashmi
• Rajendra Sonia
• Krishna
• Suroma
• Allepy finger turmeric (AFT)
• IISR Prabha
• IISR Prathiba
• IISR Alleppey Supreme
• IISR Kedaram.

Management
Plant protection
Pre planting treatmentThe seed rhizomes are dipped in Carbendazim 1 g/lit and Phosalone 35 EC 2 ml/lit for controlling rhizome rot and scales.

Pests
ThripsThrips can be controlled by spraying Dimethoate 30 EC or Methyl demeton 25 EC 2 ml/litre.

Rhizome scaleRhizome scale can be controlled by applying well rotten sheep manure @ 10 t/ha in two splits (once basally and other at earthing up) or Poultry manure in 2 splits followed by drenching Dimethoate 30 EC 2 ml/lit or Phosalone 35 EC 2 ml/lit.

NematodeAvoid planting turmeric after Banana or other solanaceous vegetables.  Plant only after taking suitable control measures. Apply Carbofuran 4 kg a.i./ha twice on the third and fifth month after planting the rhizomes.

Irrigation/Cultivation
IntercultivationOnion, Coriander and Fenugreek can be planted as intercrop on the sides of the ridges 10 cm apart (250 kg seed Onion/ha). Redgram and Castor can also be planted at wider spacing. Weeding can be done as and when necessary. The plants are earthed up at the time of 2nd and 4th top dressings.

Description : Cardamom is widely known as the ‘queen of spices’ & has major health benefits. It’s aroma has an undeniably soothing effect. Cardamom helps ease the indigestion and maintains an optimal gastrointestinal balance. It promotes clear breathing and better respiratory health, it ultimately eases the symptoms of asthma and also consists of anti depressant qualities.
Cardamom is a spice native to Asia, particularly India, Nepal & Bhutan.
Not to forget about the delicious ‘cardamom tea’ which most Indians can not go by a day without having.

Varieties :

• Malabar : Mudigree 1
• Mudigree 2
• PV 1
• ICRI 1
• ICRI 3
• TKD 4
• IISR Suvarna
• IISR Vijetha
• IISR Avinash
• Mysore : ICRI 2
• Vazhukka : PV2
• Njallani (Green gold).

Management
Diseases
Mosaic or Katte disease

• This is a serious disease affecting the productivity of Cardamom.
• This is transmitted by banana aphid which can be controlled by regular spraying with Methyl demeton 25 EC or Dimethoate 30 EC or Phosphomidon 86 WSC at 750 ml/ha.

Damping off or clump rot or rhizome rotDrench nursery with 1 lit of Formaldehyde in 50 lit water for 3 sq.m. before sowing. Prophylactic drench with 0.25% Mancozeb or 1% Bordeaux mixture immediately after germination to control Pythium and 0.05% Carbendazim after 15 days to control Rhizoctonia.

Capsule rot or panicle rot or AzhukalThree sprays with 1% Bordeaux mixture or 0.25% Copper oxychloride or 0.2% Mancozeb just before onset of South West monsoon in early August and in September. Drench the soil with 1% Bordeaux mixture.

HarvestHarvesting commences from the third year onwards. But good yields are expected from 5th year. Harvesting is generally done once in a month. Pick only those fruits which are just ripe but not fully ripe. Fully ripe fruits tend to split on drying and do not develop the desirable dark green colour.

Irrigation/Cultivation
IrrigationGenerally Cardamom is grown as a rainfed crop, but provide sprinkler irrigation during summer for increased yields.
It is cultivated in Kerala, Karnataka and Tamil Nadu. India is the second largest producer of small cardamom.In organic cultivation of cardamom, the methods to be followed should conform to the standards laid down for the purpose. An isolation belt of at least 25 m wide is to be left from all around the conventional plantation. The produce from this area shall not be treated as organic. A conversion period of three years is required for an existing plantation for organic cultivation.

Description :

• Cinnamon  is a spice obtained from the inner bark of several tree species from the genus Cinnamomum. Cinnamon is used mainly as an aromatic condiment and flavouring additive in a wide variety of cuisines, sweet and savoury dishes, breakfast cereals, snackfoods, tea and traditional foods. The aroma and flavour of cinnamon derive from its essential oil and principal component, cinnamaldehyde, as well as numerous other constituents, including eugenol.
• The term "cinnamon" also is used to describe its mid-brown colour. Cinnamon is the name for several species of trees and the commercial spice products that some of them produce. All are members of the genus Cinnamomum in the family Lauraceae. Only a few Cinnamomum species are grown commercially for spice. Cinnamomum verum is sometimes considered to be "true cinnamon", but most cinnamon in international commerce is derived from the related species Cinnamomum cassia, also referred to as "cassia".In 2016, Indonesia and China produced 75% of the world's supply of cinnamon.

Soil and climate : Sandy or lateritic soils with high humus are suitable. This crop can be grown up to an altitude of 800 - 1000 m from Mean Sea Level receiving an annual rainfall of 150 to 250 cm.

Propagation: Seeds / Semi hardwood cuttingsNursery: Seeds collected from selected mother trees are sown immediately in nursery beds in rows of 12 cm apart. July – August is the best season for sowing. From beds, seedlings are transplanted to polythene bags when they attain a height of 15 cm.

PlantingTake pits of 60 cm3 at 2 m x 2 m spacing. Fill the pits with top soil and FYM 10 kg. One year old seedlings or rooted cuttings are transplanted under partial shade.

Varieties :

• YCD 1
• PPI – 1
• Nithyasree
• Navasree,
• Konkan Tej,
• Sugandhini.

Management :

• Plant protection
• Pests
• Shoot borer : Shoot borer can be controlled by smearing the stem and branches with Carbaryl 50 WP @ 2 g/lit of water once in a month.
• Coffee red borer : Coffee red borer can be controlled by trunk injection of Monocrotophos 36 WSC @ 1 ml/bore hole with a waiting period of 20 days to be allowed between application and harvest of the bark.
• Leaf eating caterpillar

IrrigationProtective watering during summer is beneficial.

After CultivationImmediately after transplanting, the plants are provided with temporary shade by erecting a small pandal. Weeds are removed as and when necessary.  Young trees are cut close to the ground to produce side shoots. This process is called "Coppicing". By stooling around the stumps, more side shoots are encouraged from the base of the trees.

description :

• tamarind (tamarindus indica) is a leguminous tree bearing edible fruit that is indigenous to tropical africa. The genus tamarindus is monotypic, meaning that it contains only this species.
• the tamarind tree produces brown, pod-like fruits that contain a sweet, tangy pulp, which is used in cuisines around the world. The pulp is also used in traditional medicine and as a metal polish. The tree's wood can be used for woodworking and tamarind seed oil can be extracted from the seeds. Tamarind's tender young leaves are used in indian cuisine. Because tamarind has multiple uses, it is cultivated around the world in tropical and subtropical zones.
• the tamarind is a long-lived, medium-growth tree, which attains a maximum crown height of 12 to 18 metres (39 to 59 ft). The crown has an irregular, vase-shaped outline of dense foliage. The tree grows well in full sun. It prefers clay, loam, sandy, and acidic soil types, with a high resistance to drought and aerosol salt (wind-borne salt as found in coastal areas).
• the evergreen leaves are alternately arranged and pinnately lobed. The leaflets are bright green, elliptic-ovular, pinnately veined, and less than 5 cm (2.0 in) in length. The branches droop from a single, central trunk as the tree matures, and are often pruned in agriculture to optimize tree density and ease of fruit harvest. At night, the leaflets close up.
• as a tropical species, it is frost-sensitive. The pinnate leaves with opposite leaflets give a billowing effect in the wind. Tamarind timber consists of hard, dark red heartwood and softer, yellowish sapwood.

soil and climategrown on variety of soils ranging from poor degraded, eroded, gravelly, saline and alkaline soils. Productivity is higher in red loamy, deep well drained soils. The absolute maximum temperature varies from 36-47.50 c and the absolute minimum temperature varies from 0-17.50 c. Rainfall requirement 750-1900 mm. Altitude up to 100 m above msl.

propagation
seeds / grafts
nursery: fresh seeds are sown in nursery beds in march april. Soaking of seeds in 10 per cent cow urine or in cow dung solution (500 g in 10 l of water) for 24 hours. Two year old seedlings are transplanted to the main field.

vegetative propagation

• softwood grafting: march- april
• air layering: shoots treated with iba 4000 ppm.

spacing8-10m x 8-10m is adopted.

plantingthe grafts should be planted in the pits of 1 m x 1 m x 1 m filled with fym and top soil. add 50 g of methyl parathion 1.3% dust in the pit. Immediately after planting, support the graft with stakes.

varieties :

• pkm 1
• urigam
• hasanur,
• tumkur prathisthan,
• dts 1,
• yogeshwari.

management :
trainingearly training is necessary to form a high head and uniform scaffold branches in all directions.

pruningremoval of dried, diseased and criss cross branches.

plant protection

• pests
• leaf caterpillar (achaea janata)
• leaf caterpillar can be controlled by spraying quinalphos 25 ec 2 ml/lit or monocrotophos 36 wsc 2 ml/lit.

irrigation :regular watering should be given once in seven days.

fertilizersapply 200:150:250 g of npk per tree per year along with 25 kg of fym and 2 kg of neem cake.

aftercultivation

• remove the rootstock sprouts.
• remove the dried and diseased parts.
• intercrops like leguminous crops, short duration vegetables, annual drumstick, sesamum and sorghum

Description : Turmeric is a spice which can enhance the tint of any Dish. It has been used in India for over thousands of years as a spice and also as a medicinal herb. The world of science has recently concluded the efficacy of turmeric which we Indian have known for a long time. Turmeric has been used in Asia for over thousands of years and is a major part of Ayurveda, Siddha medicine, traditional Chinese medicine  and the animistic rituals of Austronesian peoples. It was first used as a dye , and then later for its supposed properties in folk medicine.

Varieties :

• Co 1
• BSR 1
• Roma
• Swarna
• Sudarshana
• Suguna
• Sugandham
• BSR 2
• Ranga
• Rashmi
• Rajendra Sonia
• Krishna
• Suroma
• Allepy finger turmeric (AFT)
• IISR Prabha
• IISR Prathiba
• IISR Alleppey Supreme
• IISR Kedaram.

Management
Plant protection
Pre planting treatmentThe seed rhizomes are dipped in Carbendazim 1 g/lit and Phosalone 35 EC 2 ml/lit for controlling rhizome rot and scales.

Pests
ThripsThrips can be controlled by spraying Dimethoate 30 EC or Methyl demeton 25 EC 2 ml/litre.

Rhizome scaleRhizome scale can be controlled by applying well rotten sheep manure @ 10 t/ha in two splits (once basally and other at earthing up) or Poultry manure in 2 splits followed by drenching Dimethoate 30 EC 2 ml/lit or Phosalone 35 EC 2 ml/lit.

NematodeAvoid planting turmeric after Banana or other solanaceous vegetables.  Plant only after taking suitable control measures. Apply Carbofuran 4 kg a.i./ha twice on the third and fifth month after planting the rhizomes.

Irrigation/Cultivation
IntercultivationOnion, Coriander and Fenugreek can be planted as intercrop on the sides of the ridges 10 cm apart (250 kg seed Onion/ha). Redgram and Castor can also be planted at wider spacing. Weeding can be done as and when necessary. The plants are earthed up at the time of 2nd and 4th top dressings.

Description : Cardamom is widely known as the ‘queen of spices’ & has major health benefits. It’s aroma has an undeniably soothing effect. Cardamom helps ease the indigestion and maintains an optimal gastrointestinal balance. It promotes clear breathing and better respiratory health, it ultimately eases the symptoms of asthma and also consists of anti depressant qualities.
Cardamom is a spice native to Asia, particularly India, Nepal & Bhutan.
Not to forget about the delicious ‘cardamom tea’ which most Indians can not go by a day without having.

Varieties :

• Malabar : Mudigree 1
• Mudigree 2
• PV 1
• ICRI 1
• ICRI 3
• TKD 4
• IISR Suvarna
• IISR Vijetha
• IISR Avinash
• Mysore : ICRI 2
• Vazhukka : PV2
• Njallani (Green gold).

Management
Diseases
Mosaic or Katte disease

• This is a serious disease affecting the productivity of Cardamom.
• This is transmitted by banana aphid which can be controlled by regular spraying with Methyl demeton 25 EC or Dimethoate 30 EC or Phosphomidon 86 WSC at 750 ml/ha.

Damping off or clump rot or rhizome rotDrench nursery with 1 lit of Formaldehyde in 50 lit water for 3 sq.m. before sowing. Prophylactic drench with 0.25% Mancozeb or 1% Bordeaux mixture immediately after germination to control Pythium and 0.05% Carbendazim after 15 days to control Rhizoctonia.

Capsule rot or panicle rot or AzhukalThree sprays with 1% Bordeaux mixture or 0.25% Copper oxychloride or 0.2% Mancozeb just before onset of South West monsoon in early August and in September. Drench the soil with 1% Bordeaux mixture.

HarvestHarvesting commences from the third year onwards. But good yields are expected from 5th year. Harvesting is generally done once in a month. Pick only those fruits which are just ripe but not fully ripe. Fully ripe fruits tend to split on drying and do not develop the desirable dark green colour.

Irrigation/Cultivation
IrrigationGenerally Cardamom is grown as a rainfed crop, but provide sprinkler irrigation during summer for increased yields.
It is cultivated in Kerala, Karnataka and Tamil Nadu. India is the second largest producer of small cardamom.In organic cultivation of cardamom, the methods to be followed should conform to the standards laid down for the purpose. An isolation belt of at least 25 m wide is to be left from all around the conventional plantation. The produce from this area shall not be treated as organic. A conversion period of three years is required for an existing plantation for organic cultivation.

Description :

• Cinnamon  is a spice obtained from the inner bark of several tree species from the genus Cinnamomum. Cinnamon is used mainly as an aromatic condiment and flavouring additive in a wide variety of cuisines, sweet and savoury dishes, breakfast cereals, snackfoods, tea and traditional foods. The aroma and flavour of cinnamon derive from its essential oil and principal component, cinnamaldehyde, as well as numerous other constituents, including eugenol.
• The term "cinnamon" also is used to describe its mid-brown colour. Cinnamon is the name for several species of trees and the commercial spice products that some of them produce. All are members of the genus Cinnamomum in the family Lauraceae. Only a few Cinnamomum species are grown commercially for spice. Cinnamomum verum is sometimes considered to be "true cinnamon", but most cinnamon in international commerce is derived from the related species Cinnamomum cassia, also referred to as "cassia".In 2016, Indonesia and China produced 75% of the world's supply of cinnamon.

Soil and climate : Sandy or lateritic soils with high humus are suitable. This crop can be grown up to an altitude of 800 - 1000 m from Mean Sea Level receiving an annual rainfall of 150 to 250 cm.

Propagation: Seeds / Semi hardwood cuttingsNursery: Seeds collected from selected mother trees are sown immediately in nursery beds in rows of 12 cm apart. July – August is the best season for sowing. From beds, seedlings are transplanted to polythene bags when they attain a height of 15 cm.

PlantingTake pits of 60 cm3 at 2 m x 2 m spacing. Fill the pits with top soil and FYM 10 kg. One year old seedlings or rooted cuttings are transplanted under partial shade.

Varieties :

• YCD 1
• PPI – 1
• Nithyasree
• Navasree,
• Konkan Tej,
• Sugandhini.

Management :

• Plant protection
• Pests
• Shoot borer : Shoot borer can be controlled by smearing the stem and branches with Carbaryl 50 WP @ 2 g/lit of water once in a month.
• Coffee red borer : Coffee red borer can be controlled by trunk injection of Monocrotophos 36 WSC @ 1 ml/bore hole with a waiting period of 20 days to be allowed between application and harvest of the bark.
• Leaf eating caterpillar

IrrigationProtective watering during summer is beneficial.

After CultivationImmediately after transplanting, the plants are provided with temporary shade by erecting a small pandal. Weeds are removed as and when necessary.  Young trees are cut close to the ground to produce side shoots. This process is called "Coppicing". By stooling around the stumps, more side shoots are encouraged from the base of the trees.