Yield & quality of Piper longum L. under differential spacing & manural regimes in coconut gardens

Abstract

An experiment was conducted during 1995-1996 in the KADP Farm of the College of Horticulture, Vellanikkara, to evaluate the yield and quality of Piper longum to differential spacing and manurial regimes in coconut gardens. The experiment was laid out in randomised block design with three replications. The growth and yield during 17 - 29 months after planting were studied. The study revealed that growth and yield characteristics increased with an application of 20 t ha-1 organic manure and 30:30:60 NPK kg ha-1. The optimum spacing was found to be 60 x 60 cm. The growth and yield of the crop was poor in dry months and the peak yield was obtained at 17 MAP. After that there was a general decline. The two peak bearing stages were identified during July-August and October-November months. The nitrogen content of vegetative parts decreased with ageing, but phosphorus content increased and potassium content remained more or less same. The N content in spikes was much higher than vegetative parts unlike that of P and K. The NPK uptake was higher in plots receiving 20 t ha-1 organic manure and 30:30:60 NPK kg ha-1 under a spacing of 60 x 60 cm. Nutrient status of the soil was found decreasing after the experiment even though organic manure and fertilizers were applied every year. Economic analysis of thippali cultivation revealed that it could be a profitable intercrop in coconut gardens if planted under a spacing of 60 x 60 cm with an application of organic manure @ 20 t ha-1 and fertilizer @ 30:30:60 NPK kg ha-1