Impact of thrips ( <i>Sciothrips cardamomi</i> ) damage on volatile composition and other attributes of cardamom capsules ( <i>Elettaria cardamomum</i> )

Abstract Sciothrips cardamomi is one of the most damaging pests of cardamom, causing visible feeding scars on capsule surfaces, deformation, and shrivelling that lead to significant yield and quality losses. This study aimed to assess the quantitative and qualitative damage caused by thrips by categorising infested capsules into six damage scales (I–VI) based on the extent of scar coverage on the pericarp. Morphometric and quality parameters were measured at each scale. Capsule length decreased sharply from Scale III onwards, with the highest reduction (38.1%) recorded at Scale VI. Although capsule width was less affected, Scales V and VI showed up to 18.5% reduction. Seed count per capsule steadily declined from Scale II, with a 41% loss at Scale VI. Seed weight also declined significantly, reaching a 40% loss at the highest damage scale. In contrast, husk weight increased progressively with damage, peaking at a 62% increase at Scale IV. This shift led to a drastic change in the seed‐to‐husk ratio from 72:28 in healthy capsules to 43:57 in heavily damaged ones. Essential oil recovery remained unaffected until Scale III but declined significantly thereafter, with a 53.5% loss at Scale VI. GC–MS chromatographic analysis revealed substantial shifts in oil composition: 1,8‐cineole increased from 35.05% (Scale I) to 42.57% (Scale IV), while α‐terpinyl acetate decreased from 41.5% to 32.26% in severely damaged capsules. Other monoterpenes followed similar trends, indicating that thrips damage alters both yield and aromatic quality of the oil. In conclusion, thrips infestation in cardamom not only reduces the physical yield components but also severely deteriorates the essential oil quality. The findings highlight the need for timely thrips management, which can be achieved through the soil application of the entomopathogenic fungus Lecanicillium psalliotae in combination with spinosad, offering an effective strategy to minimise the economic loss.