Pesticide scenario and reduction strategies in Indian cardamom farming – present and future perspectives

Small cardamom (Elettaria cardamomum (L.) Maton; Zingiberaceae) is one of India’s most export oriented spices. Insect pests and diseases are major threats to the sustainable cultivation of cardamom in India, and this crop alone consumes 26.21 kg a.i. ha–1 of pesticides per year. Shoot and capsule borers, thrips and root grubs are the major insect pests, and capsule rot, clump rot and leaf blight are the major diseases demanding more pesticides in the cardamom production system. The frequency of pesticide application in the system is nearly three times more than the recommended frequency. Various management strategies are advocated to reduce the load of pesticides and their residues. By considering the unique nature of the agroforestry system, varietal replacement, shade and nutrient management, exploitation of bioagents, organic initiatives, cultural and mechanical methods, biotechnological approaches, judicious application of synthetic chemicals and use of less toxic pesticides are the available employable strategies to minimize the pesticide load in the production system. Proper integration and adoption of these strategies by farmers are imperative