Cardamom variety · Released variety
ICRI-5
Also known as ICRI 5
Idukki, Kerala (ICRI Myladumpara) · Indian Cardamom Research Institute (ICRI) · 1990s
First Malabar hybrid from ICRI crosses. High-yielding, vigorous plants with bold capsules and excellent recovery. Recommended for all Kerala and Tamil Nadu cardamom zones with 2000+ mm rainfall.
Key facts
| Type | Released variety |
|---|---|
| Origin | Idukki, Kerala (ICRI Myladumpara) |
| Breeder / source | Indian Cardamom Research Institute (ICRI) |
| Year released | 1990s |
| Parentage | Malabar type hybrid (MCC-260 × MCC-49) |
| Yield | reported around 1,500 kg dry/ha; potential higher under optimised conditions |
| Tolerance | Moderate disease tolerance; suited to 900–1200 m, high-rainfall zones |
| Distinctive features | Malabar hybrid type, bold globose capsules, vigorous plant habit |
| Grown in | Kerala, Tamil Nadu cardamom tracts, 900–1200 m, high-rainfall zones |
| Also known as | ICRI 5 |
Figures are indicative, compiled from public agricultural sources (ICAR institutes, State Agricultural Universities, the Spices Board and the National Innovation Foundation) and vary with soil, season and management. Confirm with your local package of practices.
ICRI-5 in detail
ICRI-5 is the first Malabar-type hybrid cardamom released by the Indian Cardamom Research Institute, developed from a cross between two landraces and bred for high yield and bold capsule quality across Kerala and Tamil Nadu cardamom zones.
Origin & story
ICRI-5 was developed by the Indian Cardamom Research Institute (ICRI) at Myladumpara, Idukki, Kerala, from a cross between the landraces MCC-260 and MCC-49. It was the first Malabar-type hybrid from ICRI and dates to the 1990s.
How it grows
ICRI-5 grows vigorously across cardamom-growing regions of Kerala and Tamil Nadu up to 900-1,200 m elevation, with around 2,000 mm of annual rainfall. It is fertilizer responsive and performs well under intensive management. Recommended spacing is 3 m x 3 m at about 1,100 plants per hectare. Reported yields average around 1,542 kg/ha of dry capsules, reaching about 2,668 kg/ha under optimal management.
Quality & character
ICRI-5 capsules are bold and globose with a dark green colour, with about 68% of capsules exceeding 7 mm in diameter. The variety flowers early and shows moderate tolerance to drought and to major pests and diseases. Plant habit is vigorous, with reported yields roughly double those of its parent landraces.
Why it matters to buyers
Buyers favour ICRI-5's large bold capsules and deep green colour, traits preferred in premium markets. Growers value its responsiveness to fertilizer and its moderate tolerance to drought, pests, and diseases. Early flowering and hybrid vigour are cited advantages over traditional landraces.
About cardamom
In Kerala's rolling spice gardens, cardamom isn't just one plant—it's three distinct botanical types, each with its own character. The Malabar type, with flowers drooping down like a skirt, thrives in the softer elevations of 600–1200 metres. Mysore stands tall and erect, reaching its best between 900–1200 metres on the wind-swept heights. And Vazhukka, a…
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