Elevation Determines the Productivity of Large Cardamom (Amomum subulatum Roxb.) Cultivars in Sikkim Himalaya

Abstract

Large cardamom (Amomum subulatum Roxb.) is an economically important cash crop that provides a livelihood option for the rural communities in the Khangchendzonga Landscape (KL), including Sikkim and supports a large value-chain of diverse stakeholders across the globe. This study explores the influence of elevation on yield-related traits of the large cardamom cultivars grown at different elevations in Sikkim. We evaluated twelve morphometric traits, including eight yield-related traits (number of capsules per spike, capsule length, capsule width, fresh capsule weight, dry capsule weight, number of seeds per locule, fresh seed weight, and dry seed weight) in five large cardamom cultivars (Dzongu Golsey, Sawney, Seremna, Ramsey, and Varlangey) from Sikkim, cultivated at 41 different locations with elevation ranging between 975–2069 m asl. The statistical analysis indicated a significant variability (P < 0.05) in morphometric traits including yield-related traits (except capsule length and width) in five large cardamom cultivars. The cultivars cultivated at an elevation below 1500 m, such as Dzongu Golsey, Sawney, and Seremna, had higher values for yield-related traits than those growing at elevations above 1500 m, and the yield-related traits were negatively correlated with the elevation. Likewise, Varlangey and Ramsey, cultivated above 1500 m elevation, performed better than the same cultivars grown below 1500 m of elevation and depicted a positive correlation between elevation and yield-related traits. The study revealed that the elevation determines the performance of the larger cardamom progression, and suggests cultivating the cultivars in their suitable elevation range for better productivity.

Climate Change and Its Impact on Mountainous Plant Species: A Review

“…In the Nordic region (Northern Europe), the distribution of cereal and grass is likely to shift by up to 92.8 and 178.7 km, depending on the intensity of climate change [71], and some crop species have already been introduced to new areas [72]. Our study on large cardamom (Amomum subulatum Roxb., a commercially important spice crop of Sikkim, India) also indicated that cultivars previously grown at low elevations (below 975 m asl) are shifted to high elevations (above 975 m), and climate change is augmenting this elevational shift [73].…”

Archives of Metallurgy and Materials

“…1. nettle fibre traditional water retting yarn making process [4] performance, the minimum ratio of nettle bark weight in kg to liquid water volume in litter should be maintained at 1:30. The processed ribbons were then removed from the non-fibrous material and sun dried for 48 hours at 37°C [10].…”

“…The nettle bark was fully dried after the pre-treatment. To get optimum performance, maintain a constant ratio of plant material weight in kg to liquid volume in litter of 1:30 by volume [3][4][5][6]. The nettle bark was treated with 1500 ml of 1% (W/v) sodium hydroxide,0.5% (W/v) sodium sulphite, and 0.05% (W/v) ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid, and the pH value was maintained at 10-10.5 in the naOH solution (10 g sodium hydroxide per 1000 ml of water) [15][16].…”

“…Internal strains, poor mechanical performance of fibre, high resistance to water, and over bonding time are all symptoms of poor interfacial materials. The construction of composite from natural fibre, fibre incompatibility, and lower moisture resistance limit composites potential, and these limitations are the major challenges [2][3][4][5]. The nettle fibres are natural, biodegradable, and have renewable resources.…”

“…This study discusses the problem that it is the most common and effective method of chemical modification and it has been successfully applied to practically all natural fibres [30][31][32]. The local nGOs conducted better ways of harvesting, spinning, and weaving process training and income-generating programmes for the local tribes' people [4]. Water retting, dew retting, enzyme retting, and chemical retting are all methods of extrication of the embedded fibre from the nettle stalk.…”