About Lesson
Black Pepper (Piper nigrum) Cultivation
General Information
- Botanical Name: Piper nigrum
- Family: Piperaceae
- Origin: South India
- Common Name: Black Pepper
- Title: King of Spices
- Chemical Compound: Piperine (responsible for pungency)
Global & National Scenario
- Largest Producer (World): Vietnam
- India’s Share:
- 54% of global area
- 26.6% of global production
- Major Indian State: Kerala (96% of national production)
- Major Importer of Indian Pepper: North America
Climatic Requirements
- Rainfall: 2000 – 3000 mm annually
- Temperature:
- Minimum: 10°C
- Maximum: 40°C
- Altitude: Upto 1500 m
- Shade-loving: Requires support trees or standards
Morphology
Shoot Type | Name | Function |
Vertical Shoots | Orthotropes | Growth and climbing |
Lateral Shoots | Plagiotropes | Fruiting branches |
Hanging Shoots | Geotropes | Help in propagation |
Propagation
- Method: Vegetative propagation using 2-3 node shoot cuttings (usually from runner shoots)
- Nursery Raising: Under partial shade using polybags or sand beds
Varieties
Popular Varieties:
- Karimunda – Most popular, hardy
- Sreekara
- Subhakara
- Poornima
- Panchami
- Panniyur-2, 4, 6 – High-yielding selections
Hybrids:
- Panniyur-1 – First black pepper hybrid (Uthirancotta × Cheriakaniyakadan)
- Panniyur-3
Self-sterile Varieties:
- Balankotta, Kalluvalli
Cultivation Practices
Parameter | Description |
Planting Season | May–June (onset of monsoon) |
Spacing | 2.5 m × 2.5 m around live standards |
Support Tree | Silver oak, Erythrina, Gliricidia |
Soil Type | Well-drained, rich loamy soil |
pH Range | 5.5 to 6.5 |
Irrigation | Mulching + drip in dry periods |
Yield and Harvesting
- Average Yield: 273 kg/ha
- First Harvest: 3rd year after planting
- Harvesting Season:
- Plains: November – February
- Hills: January – March
- Harvesting Method: Spike plucking when one or two berries turn red
- Post-harvest: Dried under sun for 7–10 days
Special Cultural Practices
- Tripod Stand: Used for harvesting in tall vines
- Mulching: Conserves soil moisture
- Pruning: Regular pruning of geotropes for better yield
Major Pests and Diseases
- Pollu Beetle (Longitarsus nigripennis) – Bore into berries
- Quick Wilt (Phytophthora capsici) – Collar rot; use Trichoderma
- Foot Rot – Major fungal disease in wet season
Quick Revision Points
- Chemical in Black Pepper: Piperine
- Fruiting Branch: Plagiotrope
- Support Required: Live standard trees
- Yield: 273 kg/ha
- Main Producer: Kerala
- Self-sterile Varieties: Balankotta, Kalluvalli
- Hybrid: Panniyur-1 (first hybrid)
- Climatic Requirement: 2000–3000 mm rainfall, 10–40°C
