Nepal is one of the top three exporters of larger cardamom （Amomum subulatum Roxb.） in the world market contributing largely to the Nepalese economy. Sub-Himalayan range of hilly area of eastern Nepal is popular for...Nepal is one of the top three exporters of larger cardamom （Amomum subulatum Roxb.） in the world market contributing largely to the Nepalese economy. Sub-Himalayan range of hilly area of eastern Nepal is popular for large cardamom cultivation. Being similar phytogeographical and ecological setting, cultivation has begun in hills of Kathmandu Valley however land suitability needs to be evaluated with reference to specific need of the crop. Kathmandu is a valley with alluvial bottom and altitudinal range between 1200 and 2730m above sea level having cool to warm temperate climatic range. Varieties of aspects and slope gradient have potentiality for the large cardamom cultivation. Aim of the study was set to categorize available land area in the range of suitability for large cardamon cultivation on the basis of physical characteristics of the land and ecological need of crop. Land evaluation methodology has been designed along with site specific amendment in FAO framework （1976）. Land use map in scale of 1：25 000 was used in geographic information system environment. Suitability was done through map overlaying methods. Aim of the study was set to categorize available land area in the range of suitability categories for large cardamom cultivation based on physical characteristics of the land matching with ecological need of crop. Analysis of data shows that altitudinal range at uplands of Kathmandu Valley and annual average rainfall and temperature are found to be within suitability range for Amomum subulaturn cultivation. Sandy loam soil, slightly acidic in nature with gentle sloping land of about 5-8° provides highly suitable condition. Result showed that more than one-third of total land area above 1800 m of altitude is suitable. Selectively, of the total area, 5% are north facing slope, 13% gentle slopes are highly suitable. 16% lands with north east orientation are moderately suitable. Most of the land areas which are marginaly suitabile for vegetable and cereal crops are highly suitable for large cardamom. Hills of northern boundary hills found to be suitable due to more rainfall distribution pattern compared to southern boundary hills. Therefore, land evaluation also identifies limitations and input requirements for sustainable production.展开更多
文摘Nepal is one of the top three exporters of larger cardamom （Amomum subulatum Roxb.） in the world market contributing largely to the Nepalese economy. Sub-Himalayan range of hilly area of eastern Nepal is popular for large cardamom cultivation. Being similar phytogeographical and ecological setting, cultivation has begun in hills of Kathmandu Valley however land suitability needs to be evaluated with reference to specific need of the crop. Kathmandu is a valley with alluvial bottom and altitudinal range between 1200 and 2730m above sea level having cool to warm temperate climatic range. Varieties of aspects and slope gradient have potentiality for the large cardamom cultivation. Aim of the study was set to categorize available land area in the range of suitability for large cardamon cultivation on the basis of physical characteristics of the land and ecological need of crop. Land evaluation methodology has been designed along with site specific amendment in FAO framework （1976）. Land use map in scale of 1：25 000 was used in geographic information system environment. Suitability was done through map overlaying methods. Aim of the study was set to categorize available land area in the range of suitability categories for large cardamom cultivation based on physical characteristics of the land matching with ecological need of crop. Analysis of data shows that altitudinal range at uplands of Kathmandu Valley and annual average rainfall and temperature are found to be within suitability range for Amomum subulaturn cultivation. Sandy loam soil, slightly acidic in nature with gentle sloping land of about 5-8° provides highly suitable condition. Result showed that more than one-third of total land area above 1800 m of altitude is suitable. Selectively, of the total area, 5% are north facing slope, 13% gentle slopes are highly suitable. 16% lands with north east orientation are moderately suitable. Most of the land areas which are marginaly suitabile for vegetable and cereal crops are highly suitable for large cardamom. Hills of northern boundary hills found to be suitable due to more rainfall distribution pattern compared to southern boundary hills. Therefore, land evaluation also identifies limitations and input requirements for sustainable production.
