INVESTIGATIONS ON THE OF BLACK PEPPER [Piper nigrum L.]

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Thomasine Franklin
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1 INVESTIGATIONS ON THE NUTRITION OF BLACK PEPPER [Piper nigrum L.] By E. V. NYBE THESIS Submitted In partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy in Horticulture Faculty of /\grlculture Kerala /\grlcultural University Department of Plantation Crops and Spices COLLEGE OF HORTICULTURE Vellanikkara, Trichur 1986

2 CERTIFICATE Certified that this thesis entitled "Investigations on the nutrition of black pepper (Piper nig~ L.)" is a. record of research work done independently by Sri. E.V.Nybe, under my guidance and supervision and that it has not previously formed the basis for the award of any degree, fellowship or associateship to him. Vellanikkara, II.-..- ~ ieb~uary, (.C. SIVAR.Chairman, Advisory Committee & Director of Research Kerala Agricultural University'

3 I Ca (61%), P (45%) and N (39%). ABSTRACT Detailed studies were conducted in black pepper (var. Panniyur 1) from 1981 to 1985 at the Pepper Research Station, Panniyur and College of Horticulture, Vellanikkara with a view to induce nutrient deficiency symptoms by sand culture and to find out the relationships of foliar nutrients with yield. Deficiency symptoms of macronutrients except Ca and a were first manifested on the older leaves while that of micronutrients on younger leaves. Symptoms of N deficiency were expressed whereas purple as uniform yellowing followed by necrosis to bronze yellowing with ash coloured necrotic areas were the symptoms of P deficiency. Potassium deficiency symptom was characterized by tip and marginal necrosis which later progressed to the two-thirds distal portion of the lamina. Calcium deficiency symptoms appeared as tiny brown necrotic spots on chlorotic area near margins which later enlarged to form black necrotic areas. Visible symptom of Mg deficiency was oval interveinal chlorotic area followed by I black necrotic patches. Sulphur deficiency was manifested I as uniform yellowing with brown necrotic spots. There was I profound reduction in vegetative-growthdue to deficiencyof I macronutrients. The reduction in shoot growth and leaf area I index was maximum in the case of deficiency of N (56 and 63%. respectively) followed by S (48 and 17% respectively). The i reduction in root growth was quite high due to deficl ncy of

Interveinal chlorosis was the initial sympt0m of deficiency of all micronutrients. However, the symptoms were specific to the concerned nutrients.

4 Interveinal chlorosis was the initial sympt0m of deficiency of all micronutrients. However, the symptoms were specific to the concerned nutrients. Iron chlorosis was characterized by the presence of green bands along the major veins whereas bronze yellow colour of the interveinal areas was the specific symptom of Mn deficiency. Bronze colour of the entire lamina with necrotic tips and margins were the symptoms of Cu deficiency. little leaf and resetting. Zinc deficiency was unique with Due to B deficiency, the leaves became large, thick and brittle with orange yellow mottles on' upper surface and grey brown interveinal patches on lower surface. Unlike macronutrients, there was no marked reduction in vegetative growth due to deficiency of micronutrients except Fe and B which recorded 35,and 22 per cent reduction respectively, in total dry matter production. Boron deficient plants registered 18 per cent increase in leaf area index. The growth of the vine was completely arrested a~ comparatively early stage (4.5 months after treatment) due to S deficiency followed by N (6th month), Fe (7th month), B (12th month), P (13th month) and Cn (14.5 months after treatment). Tbere was no cessation of growth in the case of deficiencies of other nutrients. Visual symptoms of deficiencies were concurred with a marked reduction in the foliar levels of the concerned elements. Antagonistic effects among K, Ca and Mg were also observed. In all other CBses, deficiency of one element failed to influence

5 the foliar level of others. The deficiency symptoms could be recovered by the application of the deficient nutrient element which provided valid information for the confirmation of the deficiency symptoms. The foliar levels of macronutrients except Ca registered two peaks, one in June and the other in October while the lowest level was during April. The nutrients namely Ca, Fe, Mn and Zn, in general showed a decreasing trend from April to June and thereafter increased and reached maximum level in December. Highly significant positive correlations were showed by P, K, Ca and Mg with yield. The critical level of S was found to be 0.15%. The 'tentative critical levels' suggested for the other elements studied are as follows: N to 2.4%.p to 0.20% K to 1.9% Ca to 2.9% Mg to 0.6% Fe to 169 ppm MIl - 77 to 88 ppm Zn - 30 to 32 ppm The two most important nutrient elements which are highly essential for the production of pepper could be identified as K and P in view of their high direct and indirect effects on yield..

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