Cardamom variety · Released variety
PV-1
Also known as PV 1
Pampadumpara, Kerala (Cardamom Research Station, KAU) · Kerala Agricultural University (KAU), CRS Pampadumpara · 1991
Early maturing Malabar type with short panicles and elongated slightly ribbed light green capsules. Well-adapted to Kerala's high-rainfall cardamom tracts with good dry recovery and essential oil content.
Key facts
| Type | Released variety |
|---|---|
| Origin | Pampadumpara, Kerala (Cardamom Research Station, KAU) |
| Breeder / source | Kerala Agricultural University (KAU), CRS Pampadumpara |
| Year released | 1991 |
| Parentage | Pure-line selection from Walayar Malabar collection |
| Yield | around 500 kg dry/ha; 20% dry recovery, 6.8% essential oil |
| Tolerance | Suited to moderate shade and high rainfall, 600–1200 m |
| Distinctive features | Malabar type, early maturing, short panicles, elongated light green capsules |
| Grown in | Kerala cardamom tracts; 600–1200 m |
| Also known as | PV 1 |
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.
PV-1 in detail
PV-1 is an early maturing Malabar cardamom released by Kerala Agricultural University's Cardamom Research Station, Pampadumpara, valued for early maturity and reliable performance in Kerala's high-rainfall cardamom zones.
Origin & story
PV-1 was released by the Cardamom Research Station, Pampadumpara (Kerala Agricultural University). It is a clonal selection from Walayar local germplasm, a traditional Malabar type cardamom. It represents KAU's earlier breeding work in cardamom improvement at Pampadumpara. (Note on dates: the variety is commonly cited as a 1991 release, though KAU's official varieties-released listing records it under 1987 — sources differ on the exact year.)
How it grows
PV-1 is suited to Kerala's high-rainfall cardamom tracts in the Western Ghats and is grown under rain-fed conditions. The variety matures early, shortening the time to first harvest. Field work at CRS Pampadumpara on nutrient management showed that raising nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium levels increased dry capsule yield, with response continuing up to roughly 125:125:200 kg NPK per hectare; summer rainfall and the number of rainy days had a marked effect on production, since soil moisture during the growing season drives panicle initiation, flowering and capsule set. As with cardamom generally in this region, it is grown in the cardamom hills under high annual rainfall.
Quality & character
A Malabar type with short panicles and elongated, slightly ribbed, light green capsules. Essential oil content is about 6.1%, dominated by alpha-terpinyl acetate (around 50%) and 1,8-cineole (around 29.3%), with a relatively high sabinene level (about 4.9%) compared with many other cardamom accessions studied.
Why it matters to buyers
PV-1 offers early maturity and steady performance in Kerala's monsoon-dependent cardamom zones, which suits growers prioritising reliable production. Its essential oil profile — rich in alpha-terpinyl acetate and 1,8-cineole with elevated sabinene — is relevant for flavouring and spice-blend uses where those compounds matter. It is available as planting material from KAU through extension channels.
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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