Growth, Flowering, Floral biology and spike shedding in pepper (Piper nigrum L.)

Abstract

The present studies were carried out in the College of Horticulture, Kerala Agricultural University, during the year 1979-80. The object was to study the pattern of growth and flowering, floral biology and spike shedding in pepper (Pipernigrum L.) . The studies were conducted on four year old pepper vines (c.v. Panniyur-1 and Karimunda) receiving uniform cultural and manurial practices of the Kerala Agricultural University. Shoot growth in pepper was observed during four months of the year, from May to August, with maximum in July and minimum in August. The mean growth and the percentage of shoots that showed growth varied significantly from month to month and standard to standard. The flowering followed a pattern similar to growth. The percentage of aborted spikes ranged from 40.1 to 26.31 per cent.