Effect of in situ soil moisture conservation practices on growth of large cardamom (Amomum subulatum Roxburgh) under rainfed conditions in North Sikkim, India

Field experiment was conducted during 2011–14 at Indian Cardamom Research Institute, Regional Research Station, Spices Board research farm at Kabi, North Sikkim in rainfed conditions. Significantly higher number of immature tillers (4.93), mature tillers (2.68) and vegetative buds (3.22) were recorded in the treatment having trenches across slope duly filled with biomass as compared to control followed by surface mulching during September 2013. No significant differences were observed among the treatments with number of immature and mature tillers during March 2014. Among the soil moisture conservation practices surface mulching recorded significantly higher values of soil moisture viz 15.60, 14.69, 13.03, 14.57 and 15.90 per cent on 30 November, 31 December, 31 January, 28 February and 31 March respectively. Surface mulching conserved higher soil moisture as compared to control.