Fungus identified, Spices Board grapples with ways to fight it and resuscitate large cardamom production in Sikkim

ANUPA RAI
GANGTOK, 27 Nov: The Spices Board recently prepared a report on the “Management of Colletotrichum blight of large cardamom” which looks at the disease that has led to decline in large cardamom production in Sikkim.
“Blight disease that affects large cardamom is one of the major reasons for production decline at present,” states the report and informs that the disease is present in varying degrees at all locations of cultivation.

Spices Board scientists identify Cardamom blight, revival appears possible now

GANGTOK, 22 Nov: Scientists at Spices Board have finally identified the disease that has caused the sharp decline in large cardamom production in the State. In the last four to five years, cardamom production in the state spiralled down substantially due to a fungal disease that attacked plantations compelling farmers to switch to other crops, informs a press release.