| PROPAGATION |
| Besides choosing proper variety, the planting material
should be of a superior quality. Use of pre-rooted pepper cuttings is
highly desirable. Theoretically rooted cuttings can be obtained from all
parts of pepper stem or aerial shoots. Pepper develops three types of
aerial shoots, viz. |
a) Primary stem or climbing stem
b)Runner shoots which originate from the base of the vines and
c)Fruit-bearing lateral branches and
d) Hanging shoots. |
| Different planting materials will produce different types
of plants (Fig 1.a,b and c). In India, generally, cuttings from the runner
shoots are used for raising rooted planting materials. High yielding and
healthy vines in the garden is identified and marked. Runner shoots from
these vines are kept coiled on wooden pegs fixed at the base of the vine
to prevent the shoots from coming in contact with soil. Thus protected
runner shoots are separated from the vine in February-March and leaves
are trimmed. Cuttings of 2-3 nodes each are planted either in nursery
beds or polythene bags filled with fertile potting mixture. Cuttings kept
under shade are irrigated frequently. The cuttings will strike roots and
become ready for planting in May-June when 4-5 leaves are put. This traditional
method does not provide enough planting materials to meet the requirements.
So, alternative methods of rapid multiplication techniques wee devised
for large-scale production of rooted pepper cuttings: |
* Rapid multiplication of rooted pepper cuttings using
bamboo method
* Pit method (single node from runner shoots are used for rooting)
* Rooted lateral or fruiting branches are propagated as bush pepper |
| Terminal shoots are also ideal for planting. Such shoots
(about 50cm long) can be cut and planted straight-away during the monsoon
or they can be got rooted before planting in the field. Vines from these
cuttings give better growth and high number of fruit bearing lateral branches,
which enable the plants to be more productive. Further, the vines start
flowering earlier than other types of planting materials. But, getting
enough terminal shoots from yielding garden is difficult. So, the method
is not very popular. |
| General maintenance in the nursery: |
| » |
Collection of parental material for starting a nursery
should be from an area free from the incidence of diseases, Phytophthora
foot rot and nematodes. The vines selected should be 5-10 year old
and high yielder. |
| » |
The nursery should be kept hygienic |
| » |
Give periodical (once in 15 days) sprays with 1.0% Bordeaux mixture |
| » |
Drench the trenches also with 0.2% copper oxychloride (2g of product
is mixed with 1 litre of water) at least twice during the south-west
monsoons, the first in May-June and the second in August-September. |
|
| Commonly observed pests and diseases in pepper nursery
and their management is presented in table 6. |
| A technique developed in Sri Lanka and refined at Indian
Institute of Spices Research is becoming increasingly popular in India.
In this method, a trench of 0.75 m deep and 0.3m wide having convenient
length is made. The trench is filled with rooting medium (preferably forest
soil, sand, farmyard manure mixture 1:1:1). Add 1.5kg lime for every meter
length of the trench. Split halves of bamboo with septa intact [1.25-1.5m
long and 8-10 cm dia] are fixed on a strong central support, from either
side at 30 cm intervals at 45 o angle. The bamboos on opposite sides can
be arranged touching one another. Rooted cuttings are planted in the trench
at the rate of one cutting each for one bamboo. The lower portions of
the bamboo splits are filled with a rooting medium (preferably weathered
coir dust-farmyard manure mixture 1:1) and the growing vine is tied to
the bamboo split in such a way as to keep the nodes pressed to the rooting
medium. The tying could be done with dried banana sheath fibres. The vines
are irrigated regularly. Biocontrol agents like Trichoderma, VAM fungi
etc. cam be added to the rooting medium. As the vines grow up, filling
up the bamboo splits with rooting medium and tying each node pressing
it down to the rooting medium are to be continued regularly. For rapid
growth the following nutrient solution may be applied. Urea (1kg), super
phosphate (0.75kg), muriate of potash (0.5kg), magnesium sulphate (0.25kg)
in 250 litre water. The solution is applied at the rate of 0.25 litre
per vine. |
| When the vine reaches the top (the initially planted vine
takes 3-4 months for this) the terminal bud is nipped off and the vine
is crushed at about three nodes above the base, in order to activate auxiliary
buds. After about 10 days, each vine is cut at the crushed point and removed
from the rooting medium and each node is separated without damaging the
root system. The nodal cutting with the bunch of roots intact is planted
in polybags filled with pot mixture. Care should be taken to keep the
axil above the soil. The polybags should be kept in a cool humid place,
or should be covered with thin polythene (200 guage) sheeting to retain
high humidity. The buds start developing in about 3 weeks when the polybags
can be removed and kept in shade. |
| Advantages of this method are that multiplication is rapid
at the ratio of 1:40, the root system is well developed , leads to about
90% field establishment of the planting material and is cost effective
at less than Rs. 5 per cutting. |
| . ii) Pit Method of Black pepper propagation |
| A new technique for propagating black pepper from single
nodes of field grown vines has been developed at Indian Institute of Spices
Research, Calicut. The technique is simple and suited to small and marginal
farmers. It is as follows: |
| A pit of 2m x 1m x 0.5m is to be prepared under a cool
shaded area in the farm. Single nodes with approximately 8-10 cm length
and their leaf intact, taken from runner shoots of field grown vines are
to be planted polythene bags (25x15cm, 200gauge) having three proportions
at the lower half filled with a mixture of sand, soil, coir dust and cow
dung in equal proportions. The single nodes are to be planted in the polythene
bags in such way so as their leaf axle will rest above the potting mixture.
The polybags with the planted single nodes should be arranged in the pit.
In a pit of the above size approximately 150 bags can be kept. After keeping
the bags in the pit, the pit should be covered with a polythene sheet.
This sheet may be secured in position by placing stones, weights etc on
the corners. The cutting should be watered at least five times a day with
a rose can. Every time immediately after watering the pit should be covered
with the polythene sheet. It is advisable to drench the cuttings two-three
times with copper oxychloride (2g/litreAfter 2-3 weeks of planting the
cuttings will start producing roots. These roots will be visible through
the polythene bags. After the initiation of rooting, watering should be
reduced to 3-4 times a day. After about one month, healthy shoots start
emerging from the leaf axil. At this stage it is advisable to keep the
cuttings inside the pit that they will not suffer from any ‘shock’
when they are taken out the pit. |
| The cuttings can be taken out of the pit after two months
of planting. Once taken out they should be invariably kept in a shaded
place and watered twice a day. These cuttings will be ready for field
planting after about another 2 ½ months. By this method 80-85 per
cent success can be obtained. Foliar application of nutrient solution
will enhance the growth of the cuttings. |
| Advantages of this method is that it is simple , cheap
and quick as cuttings are ready to plant in about 4 months compared to
six months in conventional method, and leads to more efficient utilization
of the runner shoots as single node cuttings are used vis a vis four node
cuttings in conventional method . |
| Salient points to be taken care of: |
1. Keep the leaves of the cutting intact
2. Take cutting only from healthy vines
3. Arrange regular watering |
| The following table describes the various pests and diseases
that can cause damages to the planting material being multiplied in a
pepper nursery , the syptems and recommended control measures. |
| Pests and Diseases in the Nursery and their management |
| Pests/Disease & Causal organism |
Period of occurrence. |
Symptoms |
Control measures |
Leaf rot and blight of rooted cuttings
Caused by Rhizoctonia solani. The fungus infects both leaves and stems
|
April-May when warm humid conditions prevail. |
Infection starts as small brownish lesions on the leaves.
Mature lesions appear brittle and whitish to dark grey.
The adjacent infected leaves get addressed to each other because of the
fast spreading fungal threads (hyphae).
On stems of rooted cuttings the infection occurs as dark brown lesions
both upwards and downwards.
The new flushes subtending to the points of infection gradually droop
and dry up.which spread |
Removal of the affected cuttings along with defoliated leaves from the
nursery and destroying the same.
All the cuttings should be given a spray with 0.2% Bavistin or 0.2% copper
oxychloride (Blitox, Fytolon, Cupramar etc.) (2gm of the chemical is mixed
in 1 litre water). Or 1% Bordeaux mixture at monthly intervals to check
the disease incidence.
Drench with Copper Oxychloride |
Basal Wilt
caused by the fungus Sclerotium rolf
|
During June-September. |
1.Water soaked spots are seen on the stem.
2.At advanced stage rotting of the stem can be observed.
3.Drooping of leaves beyond the point of infection and in advanced cases
the rooted cuttings die.
|
|
Leaf spot
Phytophthora capsicum
|
July-August |
leaf spots/leaf rot and stem rot |
Fortnightly application of 1% Bordeaux mixture |
Rootknots
Meloidogyne incognita
Root necrosis & rot caused by Radopholus similes
|
|
Roots show characteristic galls and rot lesion and rot. The nematode
infested cuttings show stunted growth and foliar yellowing. |
Application of nemeticides like methyl bromide (fumigation) @500g/ton
of nursery soil mixture under polythene cover for 48 hours can check the
nematode problem. This has to be carried out 2-3 weeks before planting
the cuttings. |
Leaf gall thrips
(L.liothrips kamyi
|
|
Formation of marginal galls on leaves
Crinkling and malformation of infected leaves
|
Spray 0.05% dimethoate on tender flushes. |
Scale insects
(Lepidosaphes piperis)
|
|
Yellowing and drying of infected leaves and shoots of older cuttings. |
Spray dimethoate 0.1%. Repeat spraying after 21 days. |
| Leaf feeding caterpillars |
|
Feeding holes on leaf lamina and margins |
Spray of quinalphos 0.05% |
Root mealybug
(Planococcus sp.)
|
|
Yellowing and drying of leaves and shoots |
Drench chloropyrophos 0.075% |
| ESTABLISHMENT OF PEPPER PLANTATION |
| Site selection |
| While selecting the site for pepper plantation, avoid slopes
facing south, so that the vines are not subjected to the scorching effect
of the southern sun during summer. |
| Water table |
| Low lying areas with water stagnation are not suitable
for pepper cultivation as water logging will invite foot rot disease incidences.
Land may be flat or sloppy, and in case of flat lands water table must
remain 1m. below the ground level. In top water tabled situations, raised
beds are prepared for pepper planting. Adequate drainage to reduce water
stagnation is to be always looked into. In sloppy lands, there must be
provisions to check water and soil erosion, and water stagnation around
the base of the plants should never be allowed. |
| Standards. |
| Black pepper needs a reliable support tree. Black pepper
vines are trailed on supports, which are called standards. Being a climber,
it requires a support for its growth, development and yield. The most
popular live standard is Erythrina indica. Other common standards used
are Garuga pinnata (Indian coral tree), Gravillea robusta (Silver Oak),
Glyricidia sepium, Leucaena leucocephala, Ailanthus sp. or other similar
trees (pure crop). Coconut, arecanut, jack, mango, subabul are the other
supports used in homestead gardens. |
| Cut Erythrina indica and Garuga pinnata stems/stem cuttings
in March-April and stack them in shade.. The stacked stems start sprouting
in May. After the first rain in May-June the sprouted stems should be
planted at the edge of the pits [described below] dug for planting pepper
vines. Whenever, Erythrina indica is used as standard, application of
carbofuran @30g may be done once in a year to control nematodes and root
grubs. |
| Planting: |
| Prepare a pit of the size 50 x 50 x 50 c m before the onset
of the monsoon and fill it up after the onset of monsoon with top soil
+ FYM [@10 kg] + Neem cake[1 kg] + bone meal and Rock phosphate [70 gms].
Wherever possible a large pit filled with alternate layers of coconut
husk and the above mixture is preferable. This will help in conserving
soil moisture and help the young plants to survive the hot summer. Planting
can be done within 15 days of the filling of the pits. |
| Plant the cuttings in northern side of the standard. Two
to three rooted cuttings of pepper are to be planted individually in the
pits on the northern side of each standard. In the case of cuttings, which
have not developed roots, about 4-5 cuttings with 4-5 nodes are to be
planted. In gardens with grownup shade trees, up to 10 cuttings may be
planted all around the living support .To ensure proper rooting at least,
two nodes of the cuttings should be below the soil. The cuttings should
not be positioned vertically, but semi-horizontally at an angle of 30
– 40. degree towards the standard. Artificial shade must be provided
for the newly planted cuttings. |
| Spacing: |
| Optimum spacing is 3.0 x 3.0m in the plains. Such spacing
accommodates 1100 standards/ha. The optimum spacing for planting pepper
vines in sloppy land is 3 x 2m. A closer spacing of 2 x 2 can be adopted
when non living standards are used.. . Water stagnation around the vines
during rainy season should be avoided. The soil around the cutting should
be formed into a small mound (5cm), slopping outward and away from the
vines. |
| Under planting. |
| After regular bearing for about 20 years, pepper vines
of most varieties start declining in yield. The old and senile vines can
be removed 3-5 years after under planting depending upon the growth of
the young vine. |
| MIXED CROPPING |
| Planting pepper in coffee and tea estates using adult shade
trees as standands. |
| For planting pepper on adult coconut and arecanut or on
shade trees (silver oak etc.) in coffee/tea plantations, the rooted pepper
cuttings are planted one meter or half meter, respectively, away from
trunk of the palms/trees. Long vines at the rate of two-three per standard
are taken through a shallow channel of about 5 cm depth, filled with potting
mixture and then taken to the standard to a length of 20-25 cm from the
base and tied. This method helps in quicker growth and establishment of
vine under mixed cropping system in coffee and tea garden. |
| BUSH PEPPER |
| Bush pepper is an ideal under-storey crop in Coconut plantations
and agroforestry systems and also suitable for terrace gardens in urban
and rural areas since it can be grown in pots. Application of NPK @ 1.0,
0.5, 2.0 g/pot (10kg soil) at bi-monthly intervals, would increase the
yield 239%. The chemical source of N can be substituted with neem cake
(30g) or groundnut cake (14g). |
| CULTURAL PRACTICES |
| Training the vines |
| As the cuttings grow, the shoots are to be tied to the
standards regularly. |
| Watering |
| With the receipt of the monsoon in May-June, primary stem
cuttings/seedlings of support trees are planted. Rooted cuttings of pepper
are also planted during the opportune time. The young vines are protected
from hot sun during summer by providing artificial shade. Adequate mulch
with green leaf or organic matter needed to be applied around the base
of the vines, without disturbing the root system. During summer months,
if summer showers failed, watering is to be done at the rate of 100 litres
per vine at weekly intervals. Watering is also needed and spike formation
commenced towards better yields. |
| Provision of shade to the young vines |
| During the first one or two years, the young vines should
be provided artificial shade by covering them with palm fronds or similar
material, loosely bound over them to protect them from the hot sun. These
artificial shades should be removed at the onset of the rainy season. |
| Shade regulation: Timely lopping
of the standard/shade trees optimize shade availability to pepper vines.
|
| Regulation of shade by lopping the branches of standards
is necessary not only for providing optimum light to the vines but also
to enable the standards to grow straight. |
| Frequency of shade regulation. |
| Lopping the branches of the support tree/shade trees should
be done at least twice a year, once before the onset of monsoon (March-April)
and the second one after the monsoon is over (July-August). |
| Mulching: Adequate mulch with
green leaf @ 10kg or organic matter should be given towards the end of
northeast monsoon by November-December and before the onset of summer.
Mulching conserves soil moisture in the basins and prevent sun scorching
of young vines during summer. Any locally available material such as dry
leaves, dried grass, arecanut husk, saw dust etc. could be used as mulch. |
| Weed control |
| 2-3 rounds of hand weeding did in a year generally control
weeds. Weed growth being intense during rainy months, a careful watch
on flowering habit of weeds and pulling out of weeds before seeds spread
of weeds will enable easy weed control. Weeded material can be mulched
around the base of the vines and excess weed material ,if available can
be spread all over the land in between the rows, of vines. During weeding,
plant base should not be disturbed causing injury to the root system.
During rainy season weeds pulled out can be heaped and spread out once
dried. Slash weeding is a cost-effective method and to keep a cover always
over the soil. Chemical weed control is not advocated which is harmful
to the microflora and fauna although is a labour saving method. Soil application
of chemicals kill the beneficial microorganisms and also injure pepper
vines if chemicals borne during application. |
| Erosion control |
| Water, soil and gully erosion can occur in the pepper fields
depending upon the slope of land and intensity of rains. Stone pitched
‘kayyalas’ built along the slope of the land at regular spacing
will check water and soil erosin. Terraces having 1m. width are also useful
for checking erosion and to provide foot path through the rows of pepper
vines along the sloppy lands. Spread of mulch is a cost-effective method
for controlling erosion as well. Digging the soil is to be avoided. Weeds
pulled out or slash weeded can be spread and used as mulch to have erosion
control. Growing cover crops like Calapagonium sp. in between the rows
of pepper vines will also effectively check soil erosion especially gullies
not to be born with erosion. Cover crops also enrich soil fertility. |
| NUTRITION MANAGEMENT |
| Application of manure. |
| At least 10kg of organic manure in the form of FYM/green
leaves/compost/well rotten cattle/poultry manure should be given per vine
per annum during the month of May i.e. at the onset of South West monsoon.
These may be applied in shallow basins taken around the plants which are
to be covered with a thin layer of soil after
the application of manure.. Application of lime at the rate of 600g per
vine during April-May in alternate years should be done to increase the
soil pH, availability of nutrients and to reduce the aluminium toxicity
in soil. |
| Fertilizer application.
Adult vines [3-4] years
|
| Fertilizer should be applied 10-15 days after pruning of
the living supports. The rate, composition, and interval of fertilizer
application should be suited to the vine requirement. The recommended
location specific fertilizer application is given in Table 8. |
| Table.8. Location specific fertilizer
application |
| Location |
Quantity of fert. Needed (g/vine) |
| MOP |
Urea
Phosphate
|
|
Rock
Phosphate |
Super |
| Panniyur region |
110 + |
180 |
or |
275 |
400 |
| Calicut region |
308 + |
198 |
or |
303 |
550 |
Karnataka & Tamilnadu
(General recommendation) |
220 + |
144 |
or |
220 |
280 |
| Once a year, lime @ 1kg/vine shall be applied 15 days
before applying fertilizer and mixed with the soil |
|
| Diseases, pests and their management |
| Disease |
Causative organism |
Symptoms |
Control measures |
| Foot rot [Quick wilt] |
Phytopthora capsici [Phytopthora palmivora MF 4] |
Foliar infection:- One or more black spots on the leaves. Dropping of
infected leaves Tender leaves and fresh runner shoots turn black Gradual
infection of entire vine by rain splash. Collar infection Rotting or wilting
of entire vine Sometimes the leaves and spikes develop black spots Branches
break up at nodes Vine collapses within a short time of infection normally
four weeks Root damage Yellowing , defoliation, and drying up of the wine
wholly or in pars. |
Preventive measures at nursery level Use disease free planting material.
Protect runner shoots to be used as planting material by coiling them
up on a wooden stake. Drench planting pits with 0.2% copper oxychloride
15 days prior to planting. Avoid low lying areas or areas without proper
drainage. Fortify nursery mixture with bio agents.[1 gm of T.harzianum
or G. virens And 100 cc of VAM inoculums per kg of nursery mixture. Solarize
nursery mixture. Preventive measures at plantation level Avoid low lying
areas and areas without drainage. Conduct regular pruning to regulate
shade. Prune the runner shoots and foliage upto one feet from the base
of the vine. |
| Disease |
Causative organism |
Symptoms |
Control measures |
|
|
|
Apply neem cake @ 1 Kg per vine. Apply bio control agents along with
FYM and neem cake.[50 gm of T.harzianum or G.virens mixed with500 gm compost
or 1 kg neem cake into the pit before planting. Repeat application of
bio control agents in the same doze along with 5-10 kg of FYM or 1 kg
of neem cake around the base of the vine during may –june. Repeat the
second dose of bio control agent application in August.[The Inoculum can
be mixed in five litre of water and used to drench the base of the vine]
Practice minimum tillage. Uproot and burn infected vines. Prevent movement
of cattle and livestock into healthy gardens Prevent use and entry of
labour and tools form infected gardens |
| |
|
|
Control measures after infection Regulate shade. Drench the base of
the vines with 0.2% copper oxychloride or 1% Bordeaux mixture@ 5-10 liters
per vine and spray the foliage with 1% Bordeaux mixture during may-June.
Repeat the chemical control measures at the same dose during august September.
Repeat chemical control measures during October if the north east monsoon
prolongs. Uproot and burn infected [dead ] vines before the onset of the
monsoon and adopt chemical control measures described earlier. |
| Little Leaf disease |
Cucumber mosaic virus (CMV) |
1. The vines show shortening of internodes. 2. The leaves become small
and abnormally narrow and give a sickle shaped appearance. 3. Leaves appear
leathery, puckered and crinkled. 4, The affected branches give a typical
‘WItches broom’ appearance in advancedstages. |
Eradicate infected plants. |
| Phyllody disease |
Phytoplasma Anthracnose |
1. Malformation of spikes and flowers. 2. Some of the floral
buds are transformed into narrow leaflike structures. Such mal-ormed spikes
show these leafy structures instead of floral buds. 3. In advanced
stages the leaves turn small,chlorotic, and the internodes become small.
4. The affected fruiting laterals give a ‘witches broom appearance’
from a distance. |
Eradicate infected vines |
| Fungal Pollu |
(Anthracnose) Colletotrichum gloeospoioides |
1. Affected berries show brown sunken patches during the early
stages. 2. Further development of berries is affected. 3. In later stages,
the discoloration gradually increases and the berries show the characteristic
cross splitting. 4. Finally, the berries turn to black in colour and dry.
5. Leaf show angular to irregular brownish spots with chlorotic halo or
circular spots |
Spray 1% Bordeaux mixture |
| Insect pests |
| Leaf gall |
Liothrips karny |
Formation of marginal galls on leaves. Infested leaves become thick,
malformed and crinkled. |
Spray dimethoate 0.05% on tender flushes. |
| Top shoot borer |
.Cydia hemidoxa |
Shoots turn black and dry up. |
Spray endosulfan 0.05%; repeat spray to protect emerging new shoots. |
| Scale insects |
Lepidosaphes piperis Aspidlotus destructor |
Infested leaves and stems turn yellow, wilt and dry up. |
Spray dimethoate 0.1%. Repeat spray after 21 days. Prune-off severely
affected portions. |
| Pollu beetle |
Longitarsus nigripennis
|
The grub bores into the berries, feeding on the internal contents
and making them hollow. The infested berries turn yellow initially and
then black and crumble when pressed. |
Spray endosulfan or quinalphos (0.05%) twice a year during June-July
and September – October or spray endosulfan 0.05% during July and Neemgold
0.6% during August, September and October. Regulate |
| Root Mealybug |
Planocaccus spp |
. Leaves of infected vines turn yellow and drop |
Drench stems and roots with0.075%chlorophyriphos. Repeat drenching after
60 days if infestations persist. |
| Slow decline (slow wilt) |
Nematodes: Radopholus similes Meloidogyne incognita. Fungus: p.capsici |
1.Leaf yellowing and or shedding from October onwards 2.Root degeneration
4.Blackening of branches and eventual death of the vine. |
a) Use nematode free rooted cuttings raised in soil mixture sterilized
by methyl bromide fumigation. b) Remove the severely affected vines. c)
Treat the pits with phorate @15g or carbofuran @ 50g at the time of planting.
d)Soil application of phorate @30g or carbofuran @ 100/vine twice in a
year. First application during May/June with the onset of South West monsoon
and second application during Sept/Octo. e) Drench the basine with 1%
Copper Oxychloride @ 5-10 lit/vine, 2-3 times during the monsoon season.
|
| Nematode pests |
|
|
|
| Burrowing nematode Root knot nematode Meloidogyne spp. |
Radopholus similis Rootknots or galls Rotting and decay of roots
intervenal chlorosis stinting and wilting |
1.Dark, brown lesions on young white roots, 2.Rotting and necrosis of
feeder roots 3.Severe yellowing of leaves |
. Remove severely affected vines. Treat the pit with phorate @30g or |
| >Root knots or galls |
Melodogyne spp. |
Root knots or galls Rotting and decay of roots Interveinal chlorosis
Stunting and wilting |
carbofuran@100g/vine twice in a year (May-June & Sept.Octo.) Drench
the basis with 1% COC@5-10litres/vine. Apply neem cake @1kg/vine |
| Control |
| The disease spreads and is systematic. Therefore it is
necessary to uproot and destroy infected plants once located and replant
with healthy rooted cuttings. |
| Phyllody disease |
| This is another new disease noticed in Waynad district
of Kerala. The affected vines show malformation of spikes and flowers
in varying degrees.. Some of the floral buds are transformed into narrow
leaf like structures. Such malformed spikes show these leafy structures
instead of floral buds, thus exhibiting ‘Phyllody’ symptoms.
In advanced stages the leaves turn small chlorotic, and the internodes
become small. The affected vines become unproductive. Presence of Phytoplasma
in phloem tissues of infected spikes indicates that Phytoplasmas are associated
with the disease. |
| Control: |
| In view of the gradual disease spread of this desease,eradication
of affected vines from the garden is an immediate step that has to be
adopted. |
| PEST MANAGEMENT |
| Nematode pests |
| Plant parasitic nematodes are small, microscopic worms
inhabiting in the soil. Besides feeding on and damaging the host root
system, they also render the plants susceptible to attack by several fungal
pathogens. As they do not produce any specific external symptoms, they
are often ignored. Several types of nematodes feed on black pepper roots.
But the most important ones are burrowing nematodes and root knot nematodes. |
| Burrowing nematode (Radopholus similis) |
| Burrowing nematode is a migratory endoparasite widely distributed
in all the pepper growing areas. It completes life cycle within 25.-30
days and the population is very high during September/ October. They also
infect banana, arecanut and coconut. |
| Symptoms: |
1. Necrotic lesions on white feeder roots
2. Rotting and loss of feeder roots
3. Foliar yellowing and defoliation
4. Wilting of vines during summer season
5. Slow decline of pepper vines. |
| Root knot nematodes (Meloidegyne spp.) |
| Root knot nematode is a sedentary endoparasite and affects
several crops. Very high populations of this nematode are observed in
all regions. The predominant species is Meloidogyne incognita. Maximum
infestations occur during December/ January. |
| Symptoms |
1. Typical galls on secondary and fibrous roots
2. Extensive necrosis and rotting of the root system
3. Foliar yellowing and defoliation
4. Gradual decline of the vine |
| Control: |
| a) Use nematode free rooted cuttings raised in soil mixture
sterilized by methyl bromide fumigation/ soil solarization. |
| b) Cuttings of resistant line ‘Pournami’ can
be used where root knot nematodes are a problem. |
| c) Remove the severely affected vines which are beyond
recovery. |
| d) Treat the planting pit with phorate @ 30g or carbofuran
@ 100 g at the time of planting. |
| e) Soil application of phorate @ 30 g or carbofuran @ 100/vine
twice in a year. First application during May/ June with the onset on
southwest monsoon and second application during September/ October. |
| f) Drench the basins with 1% copper oxychloride 5-10 lit/vine,
2-3 times during the monsoon season. |
| g) Apply neem cake @ 1 kg/vine. |
| Rake the soil in the basin of the vine lightly without
causing damage to the root system, spread the nematicide uniformly in
the basin and cover it with the soil immediately. Sufficient soil moisture
should be ensured at the time of nematicide application |
| Use fumigated nursery mixture for raising nematode free
rooted cuttings. Nursery mixture can be fumigated either with methyl bromide
(Mbr) @ 500 g/100 cft soil or drenching the soil with 2% formalin under
polythene cover for 48 hours. After 48 hours, remove the polythene sheet,
rake the soil mixture to liberate excess poisonous gas of the chemical.
The soil mixture can be used for planting 2-3 weeks after chemical treatment.
Fortify the nursery mixture with biocontrol agents. |
| A prophylactic application of nematicide is also necessary
to check the nematode infestation. For this, make three equidistant holes
of 2-3 cm deep in the bag around the cuttings and place phorate @ 1g/bag
or carbofuran @ 3g/bag in these holes and cover. A light irrigation may
also be given to ensure adequate soil moisture. |
| Slow decline |
| Slow decline of black pepper is a debilitating disease
affecting pepper vines. This disease is noticed both in pure pepper plantations
as well as in mixed cropping systems. It is due to feeder root damage
by P.capsici and plant parasitic nematodes either alone or in combination.
If both fungus and nematodes are present together the decline is faster. |
| Foliar yellowing, defoliation and die back are the aerial
symptoms of this disease. The affected vines exhibit varying degrees of
root degeneration due to the infestation by plant parasitic nematodes.
The diseased vines exhibit foliar yellowing from October onwards which
become pronounced from December onwards coinciding with the depletion
of soil moisture. With the onset of South West monsoon during May/June
some of the affected vines recover and put forth fresh foliage. However,
the symptoms reappear in subsequent season after the cessation of the
monsoon. Thus the diseased vines gradually lose their vigour and productivity
exhibiting typical declining symptom. The root system of diseased vines
show varying degrees of necrosis, and root galls due to the infestation
by plant parasitic nematodes viz., Radopholus similes and Meloidogyne
incognita respectively leading to the rotting of feeder roots, which is
further aggravated by soil borne fungi. |
| There is no spatial segregation of plant parasitic nematodes
and Phytophthora in the soils under field conditions. Hence it is necessary
to go for combination of fungicide-nematicide application depending on
location specific problems. |
| Control: |
| a) Use nematode free rooted cuttings raised in soil mixture
sterilized by methyl bromide fumigation/soil solarization. Cuttings of
resistant line ‘Pournami’ can be used where root know nematodes
are a problem. |
| b) Remove and destroy severely affected vines. |
| c) Treat the planting pit with phorate @30g or carbofuran
@ 100g at the time of planting. |
| d) Soil application of phorate @ 30g or carbofuran @ 100/vine
twice in a year. First application should be done during May/June with
the onset of South West monsoon and second application during September/October. |
| e) Drench the basins with 1% copper oxychloride @ 5-10
lit/vine, 2-3 times during the monsoon season. |
| Apply neem came @ 1kg/vine. |
| Rake the soil in the basin of the vine lightly without
causing damage to the root system, spread the nematicide uniformly in
the basin and cover it with the soil immediately. Sufficient soil moisture
should be ensured at the time of nematicide application. |
| Use fumigated nursery mixture for raising nematode free
rooted cuttings. Nursery mixture can be fumigated either with methyl bromide
(Mbr) @ 500 g/100 cft soil or drenching the soil with 2% formalin under
polythene cover for 48 hours. After 48 hours, remove the polythene sheet,
rake the soil mixture to liberate excess poisonous gas of the chemical.
The soil mixture can be used for planting 2-3 weeks after chemical treatment.
Fortify the nursery mixture with biocontrol agents. |
| A prophylactic application of nematicide is also necessary
to check the nematode infestation. For this, make three equidistant holes
of 2-3 cm deep in the bag around the cuttings and place phorate @ 1g/bag
or carbofuran @ 3g/bag in these holes and cover. A light irrigation may
also be given to ensure adequate soil moisture. |
| INSECT PESTS |
| Pollu beetle (Longitarsus nigripennis) |
| The pollu beetle is the most destructive pest and is more
serious in black pepper plantations in the plains and at lower altitudes.
The adult is a small black beetle measuring 2.5X1.5 cm in size with an
yellowish brown head and thorax. The adults feed on tender shoots, and
spikes and berries. The grubs on emergence bore into them and feed on
the internal tissues. The infested shoots and spikes turn black and drop.
The grub bores into the berries, feeds on he internal contents and makes
them hollow. The infested berries turn yellow initially and then black
and crumble when pressed. Fully-grown grubs are creamy white and measure
5 mm in length. The pest population is higher in the field during September
to October and is more severe in shaded areas. During the period from
January to April the adults do not breed but remain in the field feeding
on older leaves. |
| Control: Spray endosulfan or quinalphos (0.05%) twice a
year during June-July and September-October or endosulfan 0.05% during
July and Neemgold 0.6% during August, September and October along with
shade regulations. Where required. |
| Top shoot borer (Cydia hemidoxa) |
| The top shoot borer is a serious pest in younger plantations.
The caterpillars of the moth bore into tender shoots which turn black
and dry up. When successive new shoots are attacked the growth of the
vine is affected. The adult is a tiny moth with a wing span of 10-15 mm
and with crimson and yellow forewing and grey hindwings. Fully grown caterpillars
are greyish green and measure about 15 mm in length. The pest infestation
is higher during July-November when numerous new shoots are available
on the vines. |
| Leaf Gall Thrips (Liothrips Karnyi) |
| Infestation by leaf gall thrips is more serious at higher
altitudes especially in younger vines and also in the nurseries. The feeding
of thrips on tender leaves causes the leaf margins to curl down and inwards
resulting in the formation of marginal leaf galls. . The infested leaves
also become thick, malformed and crinkled. In severe cases of infestation,
the growth of young vines is affected. The adults are minute and black
and measure 2.5-3.0 mm in length; the larvae and pupae are creamy white. |
| Control: Spray dimethoate 0.05% on tender flushes. |
| Scale insects (Lepidosaphes piperis and Aspidiotus destractor) |
| Scale insects are serious pests at higher altitudes and
also an older cuttings in the nurseries. Scale insects appear as encrustations
on stems, leaves and berries. They feed on plant sap resulting in yellowing
and drying of infested portions of the vines. Among the various species
of scale insects recorded on the crop, mussel scale (Lepidosaphes piperis)
and coconut scale (Aspidiotus destructor) are important. The former is
dark brown and mussel shaped and the latter yellowish brown and circular. |
| Control: Spray0.1 %; dimethoate .A second spray after an
interval of 21 days may be necessary to control the infestation completely.
Severely infected plant parts are to be pruned off before undertaking
the spraying operations. |
| PRODUCTION OF ORGANIC PEPPER |
| General guidelines |
| When pepper is grown in mixed cultivation system, it is
essential that all the crops in the field are maintained following organic
methods of production.It is also advisable that the entire farm is converted
to organic.Livestock should be reared according to organic principles.
All the crop residues and farm wastes should be recycled through composting
so that soil fertility is restored and maintained at a very high level.
Soil and nutrient loss through soil wash, run off and percolating water
should be minimized through proper agronomic practices. Weeding is to
be limited to slashing. Slashed materials should be used for mulching
the plant base. The plantation should have a green cover with leguminous
crops. They could be cut and mulched during summer to prevent moisture
loss. Shade and support trees, leguminous and green manuring shrubs to
provide bio-mass and neem and other sources for plant protection agents
should find a place with in or on the borders of such organic farm. |
| Guidelines for organic pepper production |
| An isolation belt of at least 25 m wide should be maintained
around the organic plantation. The produce from this isolation belt shall
not be treated as organic. Precaution should be taken to avoid the entry
of run off water and drift from the neighbouring farms. While converting
an existing plantation to organic cultivation, a minimum three years conversion
period is must. The conversion period can be relaxed for the organic farm
raised on a land where chemicals were not used previously. In all these
cases, proper records must be maintained for submission to the certifying
agency. |
| Sources of planting material for organic production of
pepper |
| Initially, cuttings from conventional plantations can be
used in the absence of purely organic sources. However the production
of rooted cutting should be done according to organic principles. . In
subsequent years, the runner shoots or aerial shoots collected from elite
mother vines grown organically only shall be used for generation of planting
material. |
| Adoption of following practices in the nursery is recommended. |
| The soil used for the potting mixture should be solarised
prior to use. |
| Solarised soil should be fortified with cultures of VAM
and Trichoderma(250 g mass multiplied in 25 kg. compost) |
| The vines in the rapid multiplication units may be sprayed
with vermin wash (50 ml per unit) for enhancing growth. |
| Disease management in nursery |
| The two important nursery diseases viz., leaf rot caused
by Rhizoctonia solani and basal wilt caused by Sclerotium rolfsi can be
minimum if solarised soil inoculated with VAM and Trichoderma is used.
However, if isolated incidence of these diseases is noticed, timely adoption
of phytosanitary measures and spot application of Bordeaux mixture (1%)
may be done. In areas where nematode problems occur, addition of crushed
neem seed or neem cake is recommended. |
| Prevention of run off and drifts from other farms. |
| In sloppy lands adequate soil and water conservation measure
are necessary at the time of preparing the land for planting to avoid
the entry of run off water and drift from the neighbouring farms. |
| Use variety of standards. |
| As many varieties of standards as possible should be used.
Use of Erythrina SP.should be minimized as the plant harbours root knot
nematode. |
| Nutrients |
| Application of two Kg compost of rotten cowdung mixed with
125 g rock phosphate at the time of planting the rooted cuttings should
be done as a basal dose. |
| Cultural operations |
| The same set of cultural operations recommended for conventional
production can be adapted for organic pepper production also. |
| Manuring |
| Compost or farmyard manure may be applied @ 20 kg/vine/year
during May-June. This can be partially or completely substituted by vermicompost
in which case the quantity needed will be half. If found necessary based
on soil test, application of rock phosphate, bone meal, lime and dolomite
may be carried out. Wood ash may be used in potash deficient areas. Compost
made from green loppings, crop residues, grasses, cow dung, poultry droppings
etc., fortified wood ash and/ or rock phosphate should be used regularly
instead of farmyard manure alone. Such compost can be further enriched
with non-edible oil cakes and right microbial cultures prior to withdrawal
from compost pit and before applying to the field. Crushed neem seed @
2 Kg/vine/year may be applied in areas infested with nematodes. Use of
bio-fertilizers can also be resorted to in a restricted manner. |
| Plant Protection |
| Diseases |
| Application of Trichoderma multiplied in a suitable carrier
medium @ 500 g/vine/year is recommended as a preventive measure for Phytophthora
foot rot disease. Whenever pollu disease or aerial symptoms of foot rot
are noticed, restricted spraying of Bordeaux mixture 1% may be done. Planting
materials from mother vines showing symptoms of stunted disease and phyllody
should not be collected for raising rooted cuttings. |
| Pests |
| Pollu beetle (Longitarsus nigripennis) and leaf gall thrips
(Liothrips kamyi) can be managed by spraying neem oil 400 ml per water
or other neem preparations as per recommendations. Tobacco decoction may
be used to control the scale insect. |
| Application of crushed neem seed or neem oil cake will
be useful to check the slow decline or slow wilt disease. |
| Plant nematode resistant lines like ‘Pournami’
used in areas where root know nematode are serious. |
| Persons engaged in threshing, sifting etc. of pepper should
clean their hands and feet with soap and water before they start their
work. Vessels and utensils used in processing and storage of pepper should
always be kept clean.Gutters and other water outlets connected to platforms
used for drying pepper should always be maintained in a clean condition. |
| Only clean bamboo trays should be used for sifting pepper.
These trays should not be smeared with cowdung. |
| Precautions should be taken to see that clean and sifted
pepper is not decontaminated by dust and other impurities. |
| Drying surfaces |
| Traditionally pepper is dried under Sun. It requires about
6-7 days for complete drying to a moisture level of 10-11%. Blanched pepper
takes fewer datys to dry. Fenugreek coated bamboo mat is ideal to dry
pepper upon. Another ideal surface is cemented floor. |
| Low density and high density polyethylene sheets are also
found to be good for drying pepper. The main advantages of polythesne
sheets are (1) Black polyethylene sheets absorb more heat and hence reduce
the drying time. (2) The sheets can be used to cover the pepper during
the night and the drudgery of gathering pepper in the evening and spreading
it out again in the morning also can be avoided. |
| Solar driers, which reduce drying time drastically, also
can be used for dying pepper. |
| Mechanical driers using electricity or kerosene also can
be employed for drying pepper. To reduce the cost partial sun drying followed
by mechanical drying can be adopted. |
| Dry recovery |
| The dry recovery of pepper varies with varieties and ranges
from 29 to 37%. |
| Points to be observed in the storage of pepper |
| Pepper should be stored in bags after the moisture content
is reduced to 10-11% .The bags should be preferably new, clean, dry and
free from any contamination. |
| Other substances should not be stored in storerooms of
godowns where pepper is kept. |
| Graded or garbled pepper should be kept separately.. |
While stacking pepper-filled bags in godowns, wooden planks should be
used on the floor as dunnage. This is to prevent moisture from the affecting
pepper. The bags should be kept at least 30 cms. away from the walls. |
| Doors, windows and ventilators of rooms in which pepper
is kept should always be kept closed. The entry of rats and other pests
should be completely avoided. Rodent repellent devices can be used in
the godowns. |
| Pest control practices should be followed systematically.
Use of pesticides and chemical fumigants should be limited to the correct
dosage and should be applied only under the supervision of experts. |
