Cardamom variety · Elite landrace
PNS Vaigai
Also known as PNS Vaigai Vazhukka
Theni, Tamil Nadu (Cardamom Hill Reserve region) · P.N. Surulivel · 1991 (isolated/planted); 1996 (first yield)
Larger seed size and bold capsules (60-70% measuring 7mm+) with higher internode count (40-45 avg). Commands 15-20% market premium with thin-rind high recovery. Exceptional drought and waterlogging tolerance. Peak yield 3250 kg dry/ha in 2002-2003.
Key facts
| Type | Elite landrace |
|---|---|
| Origin | Theni, Tamil Nadu (Cardamom Hill Reserve region) |
| Breeder / source | P.N. Surulivel |
| Year released | 1991 (isolated/planted); 1996 (first yield) |
| Parentage | Two superior plants selected from mixed cardamom varieties (late 1980s); vegetative clones |
| Yield | 900-1400 kg/ha since 1996; peak 3250 kg dry/ha (2002-2003 ICAR award) |
| Tolerance | Drought tolerance, waterlogging resistance, pest and disease resistance |
| Distinctive features | Large capsules vs. Njallani; 60-70% at 7mm+; 40-45 internodes; bold rhizomes; 3-4 inflorescences; thin-rind capsules; superior aroma and oil content |
| Grown in | Theni, Tamil Nadu (CHR region) |
| Also known as | PNS Vaigai Vazhukka |
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.
PNS Vaigai in detail
A bold, thin-rind selection from Tamil Nadu's Cardamom Hills, yielding outsized capsules and commanding a market premium through superior aroma and drought resilience.
Origin & story
Isolated and planted by breeder P.N. Surulivel in Theni, Tamil Nadu's Cardamom Hill Reserve, in 1991. First yield came in 1996. The variety remains rare outside its native zone.
How it grows
Grows in the high Cardamom Hill Reserve region of Tamil Nadu at mid-elevations typical of cardamom. Exceptionally tolerant to both drought and waterlogging—an unusual pairing that makes it valuable in marginal seasons. Plants develop bold rhizomes and 3–4 inflorescences. Peak recorded yield was 3250 kg dry cardamom per hectare in 2002–2003.
Quality & character
Large, bold capsules with 60–70% grading at 7mm or larger (larger than Njallani comparatives). High internode count, averaging 40–45 nodes. Thin rind with high dry recovery. Superior oil content and aroma, commanding a 15–20% price premium over standard grades. Seeds are proportionally larger.
Why it matters to buyers
The thin rind and high dry recovery mean buyers get more finished spice per green weight—a direct economic signal. Premium prices reflect the superior aroma and the variety's scarcity. Growers in dry-prone regions find it more reliable than moisture-sensitive types.
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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