PEPPER, Piper nigrum

PEPPER, Piper nigrum

1. PROPAGATION

   • CUTTINGS
     • Most common propagation method for Pepper
       • Must be from the main stem; Avoid young shoot on top 3 nodes
         • Must have 4-6 nodes; 2 top nodes are kept while bottom 3 nodes need to be removed
           • Runner shoot
             • Originate from the base of the vine & creep on the ground, have long internodes which strike roots at each node
               • Runner shoots are commonly raised as cutting
           • Lateral shoot
             • Not used due to reduction in fruiting shoots, short-lived & bushy in habit
   • SEEDS
     • Rarely used as planting material as seedlings are not genetically uniform
       • Seeds are fully viable & soaked in warm water 1 day prior to planting

2. NURSERY

   • CUTTINGS TREATMENT
     • Soaked in Carbofuran & Benomyl for 10 min to prevent pest & fungi infection
   • NURSERY BED
     • The solarized soils are spread on bed of 1m width, 25cm hieght & of suitable length
   • POLYBAG NURSERY
     • Runner shoots are kept coiled on wooden pegs fixed at the base of the vine preventing the shoots coming in contact with soil & striking roots
       • Mixture of Top soil, sand & compost 2:1:1
   • SHADING
     • Height 2.5-3m front and 1.5-2m back
       • Nettings / polythene sheets can be used
   • SEEDLING MAINTENANCE
     • Nursery is watered from outside if temperature is too high to maintain
     • Seedlings are investigated for diseased / abnormal seedling

3. FILED PREPARATION

   • LAND PREPARATION
     • Soil
       • Unsuitable soils
         • Sandy loam & Peat soil
       • Suitable soil
         • Red yellow podzolic clay soil
     • Terracing needed for slope more than 40"
     • Site clearing by cut, fell, burn & remove foot stump to reduce white rot disease
       • Former rubber area is discouraged
   • IRRIGATION SYSTEM
     • Sprinkler system can be used
   • SUPPORT POLE
     • For Pepper vines to creep on for efficient management
     • Living
       • Gliricidia, Arecanut / Coconut can be used; Straight stem cuttings
     • Artificial
       • Belian wood, most commonly used due to resistant to termites

4. FIELD PREPARATION cont...

   • PLANTING HOLES
     • Pits with dimension of 50cm^3 may be dug & filled with topsoil & manure / compost

5. TRANSPLANTING

   • Done onset of monsoon / rainy season
   • Mounds are made before planting to loosen the soil; Mounds are also limed 1 month before planting
     • Direct planting of 5 nodes cutting / polybag seedling
       • Plant 3 nodes of cutting at 20-35' angle for better anchorage
   • Spacing
     • Smaller spacing can be utilized if artificial support poles are used

6. MAINTENANCE & MANAGEMENT

   • FERTILIZER APPLICATION
   • PRUNING
     • TYPES OF PRUNING
       • FORMATION PRUNING
         • First pruning is done 6-8 months after planting, the terminal shoot is pruned back to about 30 cm from the ground
           • Cut main shoots can be used as cuttings
         • Second pruning is done 12-14 months after planting when the vines have reached half post,, removal of 6-7 nodes from the top of each terminal nodes from the top of each terminal to include lateral shoots
           • Only 3 vigorous shoots, one from each of the original terminals, are allowed to grow up the pole
         • Third pruning is done when the terminal shoots reached the end of support
           • Carried out just before the vines are brought into production
       • PRUNING OF UNWANTED SHOOTS & BRANCHES
         • Side branches close to or lying on the ground are pruned to reduce shade on mounds
           • All unwanted terminal roots, including hanging branches near the top of the vine should be pruned periodically
             • Any stolons arising from the three main stems should be removed; Does not give any yield
       • LIVING SUPPORT MANAGEMENT
         • The height is maintained at 2m
           • Avoid lateral growth; Ensure single trunk formation