Organic cultivation of Ginger

Ginger is cultivated in many states in India. Dry ginger has good demand abroad especially in the Middle East markets. India is the largest exporter of dry ginger.
Ginger is a tropical crop adapted for cultivation even in regions of subtropical climate such as the high ranges. This crop thrives best in well drained friable loamy soils rich in humus. Being an exhaustive crop, it may not be desirable to grow ginger in the same field year after year. Therefore, it is essential to convert the whole farm as organic with ginger as one of the crops in rotation. The crop cannot withstand water logging and hence soils with good drainage are preferred for its cultivation. In order to cultivate ginger organically an isolation distance of 25m wide is to be left on all around from the conventional farm. The produce from this isolation belt shall not be treated as organic. Being an annual crop, the conversion period required will be two years. Ginger can be cultivated organically as an inter or mixed crop provided all the other crops are grown following organic methods. It is desirable to include a leguminous crop in rotation with ginger. Ginger-banana-legume or ginger-vegetable-legume can be adopted.

Sources of planting material

Carefully preserved seed rhizomes free from pests and diseases, which are collected from organically cultivated farms can be used for planting. However, to begin with seed material from high yielding local varieties may be used in the absence of organically produced seed. Seed rhizomes should not be treated with any chemicals.

Preparation of land and planting

While preparing the land, minimum tillage operations may be adopted. Beds of 15 cm height, 1 m width and of convenient length may be prepared giving at least 50 cm spacing between beds. Solarisation of the beds is beneficial in checking the multipli­cation of pest and disease causing organisms. The polythene sheets used for soil solarisation should be kept away safely after the work is completed.
At the time of planting, apply 25 g powdered neem cake and mix well with the soil in each pit taken at a spacing of 20-25 cm within and between rows. Seed rhizomes may be put in shallow pits and mixed with well rotten cattle manure or compost mixed with Trichoderma (10 g compost inoculated with Trichoderma).

Cultural practices

Mulching the ginger beds with green leaves is an essential operation to enhance germination of seed rhizomes and to prevent washing off soil due to heavy rain. This also helps to add organic matter to the soil and conserve moisture during the later part of the cropping season. The first mulching is to be done with green leaves @ 10 - 12 t/ha at the time of planting. It is to be repeated @ 5 t/ha at 40th and 90th day after planting. Use of Lantana camara and Vitex negundo as mulch may reduce the infestation of shoot borer. Cow dung slurry or liquid manure may be poured on the bed after each mulching to enhance microbial activity and nutrient availability. Weeding may be carried out depending on the intensity of weed growth. Such materials may be used for mulching. Proper drainage channels are to be provided in the inter rows to drain off stagnant water.

Manuring

Application of well rotten cow dung or compost @ 5-6 t/ha may be made as a basal dose while planting the rhizomes in the pits. Enriched compost giving a start to phosphorus and potassium requirements may be highly useful. In addition, application of neem cake @ 2 t/ha is also desirable.

Plant protection

Diseases

Soft rot or rhizome rot caused by Pythium aphanidermatum is a major disease of ginger. While selecting the area for ginger cultivation care should be taken to see that the area is well drained as water stagnation pre-disposes the plants to infection. Hence provide adequate drainage. Select seed rhizomes from disease free areas since this disease is also seed borne. Solarisation of soil done at the time of bed preparation can reduce the fungus inoculum. However, if the disease is noticed, the affected clumps are to be removed carefully along with the soil surrounding the rhizome to reduce the spread. Trichoderma may be applied at the time of planting and subsequently if necessary. Restricted use of Bordeaux mixture (1 %) in disease prone areas may be made to control it.
The bacterial wilt caused by Pseudomonas solanacearum can be managed by treating the seed rhizomes with streptocycline (200 ppm) for 30 minutes and shade drying before planting. In case the disease is noticed in the field, a uniform drenching of all the beds with Bordeaux mixture (1 %) may be made.
Regular field surveillance and adoption of phytosanitary measures are necessary for pest management. The shoot borer Conogethes punctiferalis is the most important pest of ginger. It appears during July-October. period. Spot out the shoots infested by the borer. Cut open the shoot and pick out the caterpillar and destroy. Spray neem oil (O.5%) at fortnightly intervals if found necessary. Light traps will be useful in attracting and collecting the adult moths.

Harvesting and post harvest operations

The crop is ready to harvest in about eight to ten months depending upon the maturity of the variety. When fully mature leaves turn yellow and start drying up gradually. Clumps are lifted carefully with a spade or digging fork and rhizomes are separated from dried leaves, roots and adhering soil. The average yield of fresh ginger per hectare varies with varieties ranging from 15 to 25 tonnes.
For making vegetable ginger, harvesting is done from the 6th month onwards. The rhizomes are thoroughly washed in water twice or thrice after harvest and sun-dried for a day.
For preparing dry ginger the produce is kept soaked in water overnight. Rhizomes are then rubbed well to clean them. After cleaning, rhizomes are removed from the water and the outer skin is removed with a bamboo splinter or wooden knife having pointed ends. Iron knife is not recommended, as colour will be faded. In order to get rid of the last bit of the skin or dirt, the dry rhizomes are rubbed together. The peeled rhizomes are washed and dried in the sun uniformly for one week. Rhizomes are to be dried to a moisture level of 11 % and they are stored properly to avoid infestation by storage pests. Storage of dry ginger for longer periods is not desirable. The yield of dry ginger is 16-25 per cent of the fresh ginger depending upon the variety and location where the crop is grown. Burning of sulphur for processing ginger is not allowed.

Preservation of seed rhizomes

The rhizomes to be used as seed material should be preserved carefully. The indigenous practices like spreading layers of leaves of Glycosmis pentaphylla called in Malayalam 'panal' being followed by farmers can very well be adopted for this purpose. In order to get good germination, the seed rhizomes are to be stored properly in pits under shade. For seed materials, big and healthy rhizomes from disease-free plants are selected immediately after harvest. For this purpose, healthy and disease-free clumps are marked in the field when the crop is 6-8 months old and still green. Seed rhizomes are stored in pits of convenient size made inside the shed to protect from the sun and rain. Walls of the pits may be coated with cow dung paste. Seed rhizomes are stored in these pits in layers along with well dried sand or saw dust (i.e. put one layer of seed rhizomes, then put 2 cm thick layer of sand or saw dust). Sufficient gap is to be left at the top of the pits for adequate aeration. The pits can be covered with wooden plank with one or two small holes for aeration. Seed rhizomes in pits need inspection once in twenty days to remove shriveled and disease affected rhizomes. Seed rhizomes can also be stored in pits dug in the ground under the shade of a tree provided there is no chance for water to enter the pits. In some areas, the rhizomes are loosely heaped over a layer of sand or paddy husk and covered with dry leaves in a thatched shed.

source: http://agritech.tnau.ac.in

Plantation

Plantation establishment and management

Large cardamom is generally grown in forest loamy soils having soil depth of few centimetres to several inches. Colour of large cardamom soil ranges from brownish yellow to very dark greyish brown. Texture varies from sandy, sandy loam, silty loam to clay. In general, large cardamom soils are acidic in nature and majority of soils have pH ranges from 5.0 to 5.5 and more than 1% organic carbon content. Onan average, these soils have high available Nitrogen and medium Phosphorous and Potassium. Because of steepness of the terrain, chance of water logging is less, and water logged conditions are not suitable forth plants and adequate drainage is quite essential for the better stand of the crop. The ideal time for planting large cardamom in Sikkim & Darjeeling is May to July, preferably during June - July when the intensity of South West Monsoon is low. By this time, the planting materials i.e., mature tillers with 1-2 immature tillers / vegetative buds become ready. Due to appearance of new leaves in the mother clump during this period, symptoms of Chirke disease, viral in nature, becomes prominent which helps not to collect such plants as planting materials.

Selection of site

Large cardamom grows well in forest loamy soils with gentle to medium slopes. Luxuriant growth is observed nearby perennial water sources. However, water logged condition is detrimental to the plants. Itis noticed that heavy shade or less shade hinders crop growth and production. Utis ( Alnus nepalensis) is the most common shade tree and Utis – cardamom is a very good Agro-forestry system for sustainable production in the region. The other species of shade trees that are commonly used by most of the farmers are Panisaj (Termalia myriocarpa), Pipli ( Bucklandiasp.), Malito ( Macaranga denticulate), Argeli ( Edgeworthes gardneri), Asare (Viburnus eruberens), Bilaune ( Maesa Cheria), Kharane (Symplocos sp.),Siris ( Albizzia Lebbeck ), Faledo ( Erythrina indica), Jhingani ( Eurja tapanica), Chillowne (Schimawallichi) etc (Gupta et al, 2012).

Land Preparation

 Most of the tribal farmers living in remote places are following traditional methods for land preparation. Pits are prepared without appropriate spacing from the centre of the pits. Pits are left open for weathering for a fortnight and then filled with topsoil mixed with cow dung compost / FYM @ 1 –  3 kg per pit. Pit making and filling operation are completed in the third week of May before the onset of pre-monsoon showers.

Planting

Planting is done in June –  July when there is enough moisture in the soil. A mature tiller with 2 – 3immature tillers / vegetative buds is used as planting unit. Suckers / seedlings are planted by scooping a little soil from the centre of the pits and planted up to collar zone. They do not follow staking which is very important to avoid lodging from heavy rain and wind. Mulching is done at the plant base using dried organic matter, leaves, weeds etc. Mulch improves the soil condition and the soil fertility.

Application of manure

Application of manuring is done by well decomposed cattle manure once in year. Most of the farmers recycled all the crop residues in the plantation and FYM / organic materials etc are applied as and when required.

Irrigation

In most of the traditional plantations, farmers only depend on rainwater for irrigation.

Weed control

Weeding is generally done by using a traditional knife known as

“sickle” or by hand depending upon the intensity of weed growth. From around the plant base weeds are pulled out by hand and in inter-space needs only slash with sickle. While weeding dried shoots and other thrashed materials are used as mulch around the plant base.

Indigenous plant protection practices

Among the insect pests that attack large cardamom, leaf caterpillar (

 Artona chorista Jordon) and stem borer (Glyphipterixsp.) are considered as important pests of the crop. The fungal diseases, particularly the

Colletotrichum blight and viral diseases Chirke and Foorkey are major threat to this crop. The farmers in this region have been following indigenous pest and diseases management practices. The diseased plants are uprooted and destroyed as and when they are seen. Some farmers also used to take disease infected plant to an isolated place, chopped into small pieces and buried in pits for quick decomposition.Traditional pest management practice was followed by the farmers in large cardamom. It is adopted to manage house hold pest also. Ash and leaf extract are commonly used to manage pest

Harvesting and curing

The indication of time of harvest is when the seeds of top most capsules turn brown. As soon as the said colour appears and to enhance maturity bearing tillers are cut at a height of 30 –  40 cm from ground and left for another 10 – 15 days for full maturity. The spikes are harvested by using traditional knives known as “ Elaichi chhuri” by the farmers of these regions. The harvested spikes are heaped and capsules separated and dried. The cured capsules are rubbed on wire mesh for cleaning and removal of calyx (tail).Traditionally cardamom is cured in Bhatti, where capsules are dried by direct heating. Under this system the cardamom comes in direct contact with smoke which turns the capsules to dark brown or black with smoky smell.

Packing and storage

The dried capsules are allowed to cool and then packed in polythene lined jute bags. Most of the farmers in Sikkim and Darjeeling stored the bags on wooden platform away from sidewall to avoid absorption of moisture and thereby to avoid fungal growth on the stored produce.

Gender roles in large cardamom cultivation

Man and women do almost all works from land preparation to capsule storage. However, their role depend more on the family situation than on gender or ethnicity. In a family with more male members, male works in the fields, whereas in families with fewer men, women work equally with men. Both men and women actively participated in land preparation and pit formation. Planting, manure application is done by both men and women. Mulching is done mostly by men, although women help as when required. Weeding is done mostly by women. Harvesting is done by men and plucking of capsules from spike is mostly done by women and children. Curing in Bhatti is done by men and removal of tail (calyx) from dried capsule is done by women and children, although men help as when required.

http://www.academia.edu/8895505

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Benefits of Black Cardamom for Hair

Benefits of Black Cardamom for Hair

Whether you use black cardamom in cooking or use the cardamom oil topically, you can benefit your hair in both ways. Know more the benefits of black cardamom for hair:

1. The anti-oxidative properties of black cardamom are helpful in providing nourishment to your scalp and hair strands. As a result, you get strong, thick and shiny tresses.

2. As it is antiseptic and antibacterial by nature, its consumption is also good for preventing irritation and infection on scalp.

Benefits of Black Cardamom for Skin

Benefits of Black Cardamom for Skin

You can take great care of your skin by using black cardamom both externally and internally. To know how this small spice can enhance your look, go through the following section:

1. Black cardamom is full of the antioxidants, vitamin C and the essential mineral potassium. Hence, regular consumption of the spice can keep your internal system free from toxic materials, thereby improving the circulation of blood throughout the skin surface and keeping it healthy. So, if you want to get a firm, toned and youthful look, start consuming black cardamom in a regular manner.

2. Black cardamom not only keeps your ageing at bay, but it also helps you in getting a fairer skin complexion.

3. Due to its antibacterial properties, black cardamom is used as a natural remedy for ‘contact dermatitis’ or skin allergy.

Benefits of Black Cardamom for Health

Many of us still don’t have any idea about how black cardamom helps us in maintaining our health. The spice has a number of medicinal benefits and we must learn about them in order to make use of it as a natural remedy.

1. Gastro-Intestinal Health: Black cardamom has high positive impact on the gastro-intestinal tract. It can stimulate the gastric and intestinal glands to secret essential juices with the help of its simulative properties. It also helps in regulating the procedure of juice secretion in order to keep the amount of stomach acids under control. As a result, the chances of developing gastric ulcers or other digestive disorders go down significantly. The spice is also helpful in curing heart burn and stomach cramps, which are two most common symptoms of gastro-intestinal disorders. Digestive properties of the substance are also very important to heal chronic constipation and improve appetite. In addition, being carminative in nature, black cardamom can give you relief from abdominal gas. It helps you get rid of indigestion as well as flatulence caused by it.

2. Cardiovascular Health: Black cardamoms also influences the cardiac health to a great extent. Controlling cardiac rhythm is one of its most important benefits, which eventually keeps your blood pressure under check. Your heart remains healthy with regular intake of black cardamom. It reduces the probabilities of blood clot. This spice is also very effective in protecting you from heat stroke or sun stroke during scorching summer.

3. Respiratory Health: If you are suffering from serious respiratory troubles, black cardamom can be a great antidote for you. A number of respiratory disorders including asthma, whooping cough, lung congestions, bronchitis, pulmonary tuberculosis etc. can be treated successfully with this little spice. It warms up your respiratory tract so that the air circulation through the lungs becomes easier. Moreover, black cardamom works as an expectorant and helps you stay away from cough, cold, sore throat etc. by alleviating the mucous membrane and normalizing the flow of mucous through the respiratory tract.

4. Oral Health: Several dental disorders, such as teeth infection, gum infection etc. can be treated with black cardamom. Furthermore, its strong aroma can help in curing halitosis or bad breath.

5. Urinary Health: Being an effective diuretic, black cardamoms can facilitate urination and keeps your renal system healthy.

6. Anti-Carcinogenic Properties: There are two antioxidants named 3’-Diindolylmethane (DIM) and Indole-3-Carbinol (I3C) in black cardamom, which combat breast, colon, prostate and ovarian cancer. The anti-carcinogenic properties of the spice also raise the amount of glutathione (an antioxidant) in the body and prevent the generation and growth of cancerous cells.

7. Detoxification: Studies have revealed that black cardamom is a good detoxifier for your body. It is capable of eliminating caffeine from the blood so that you can stay safe from the adverse effects of the alkaloid.

8. Anesthetic Properties: The oil extracted from black cardamom is highly anesthetic and sedative. It can curb acute pain like headache and provide immediate relief. The essential oil prepared from the spice is also used in eliminating stress and fatigue.

9. Antiseptic and Antibacterial Properties: It has been seen that black cardamom can destroy microbes of almost 14 different species. Hence, its intake boosts your immunity and provides you protection against bacterial or viral infections.

Black Cardamom in Mon

Black Cardamom in Mon

A run on the winding mountainous toll road from Mon settlement in Nagaland to the easternmost village of Longwa greets you with an extraordinary scene – patches of cardamom gardening on the roadside, around elder and roughly small, but abidingly major family the note that the winds of amendment are blowing in the border district.

Many new men boast begun agriculture of the stifling place whose scented seed capsules give birth to a elevated call in the domestic and intercontinental market. The mixture full-fledged in Mon is black cardamom which is darker and bigger than the additional normally create callow cardamom. It is besides grown-up in Sikkim, Darjeeling, and in parts of Nepal and Bhutan.

Mon is inhabited by the Konyak and Chang tribes, it is a backward neighborhood in Nagaland with a slump literacy percentage which trees the youth with a dim option of person employed in the leadership departments. as a result for loads of of them, fusion the insurgent ranks had been a compulsion for the historical quite a few decades. But not any longer with the describing new options that pledge a in good health kick far-off from the harmful jungles and mountains of the Indo-Myanmar border.

The "craze" for cardamom began further than a decade back since it was said to be lucrative, explained Tongyei, village chief of Longwa. "We are motivating additional farmers to expand cardamom since the prospects of a steady proceeds are bright. The saving of the village can be transformed." A kilogram of cardamom is sold at prices ranging between Rs 700–1,250 which is quite a few epoch other than the unfilled charge for moreover rice, maize or vegetables full-grown in Mon and the neighbouring districts. About 500 kilograms are harvested from one bigha of gardening every spell in September. The duration of a sow is regularly three years.

Extraction of cardamom is a labour intensive process. After it is plucked from the plant, cardamom has to be dried for a number of existence through heating by firewood. The intact practice consumes at slightest two weeks which may possibly and necessitate the date of day by day wagers.

Queen of Spices

Cardamom or elaichi is the ‘Queen of Spices’. But exactly what is black cardamom? Let us tell you that before we head to the benefits.

Black cardamom is a small herb with strong aromatic fragrances and can be availed in two varieties ‘black cardamom’ and ‘green cardamom’. Black cardamom or hill cardamom is the most popular species among these two. It is widely used in cooking for its unique taste and powerful flavor. Black Cardamom is also known as ‘Kali Elaichi’ in Hindi, ‘Nalla Elakulu’ in Telugu, ‘Karupu Elakkai’ in Tamil, ‘Karutta Elakka’ in Malayalam, ‘Kari Elakki’ in Kannada, ‘Badi ilaychi’ in Gujarati, ‘Masalyaci Velci’ in Marathi, and ‘Baro Elaca’ in Bengali.

The oil extracted from the seeds of the herb is known as one of the most effective essential oils and is widely used in aromatherapy. From promoting your heath to making your hair shiny, there are a number of ways this spice can be used. In this post, we will discuss about the benefits of black cardamom for health, skin and hair.

Black Cardamom

Black Cardamom

Queen of Spices. Savior of baked goods, Enlivened of curries. It's a pantry staple, and one of the most interesting spices I know. But recently I've been spirited away by its bold and brash cousin, black cardamom.

A member of the ginger family, black cardamom is a relative of green cardamom, but they're far from the same plant. It has some of the same flavor notes, especially an uplifting menthol element, but it's also smoky, brash and bold. There are times for green cardamom's delicacy, and then there are times to turn things up to 11. Although they have similar flavors, they have very different culinary uses. Black cardamom is the bacon of spices.

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Alzina Agro Products is a registered firm from Brahmaputra Valley of Upper Assam, with office in Jorhat District. The firm was founded in the year 2013 by Miss Alzina Begum. Alzina Agro Products is a firm dealing mostly in Black Cardamom and Grass Brooms from the hills of  Arunachal Pradesh and Nagaland.