Nutrient removal in relation to crop production in black pepper

Abstract

A study on the nutrient removal in relation to crop production in black pepper (piper nigrum L.) was conducted at the Department of Plantation Crops and Spices, College of Horticulture, Vellanikkara during 1992-93. A standing crop of black pepper variety Panniyur-1 managed under identical condition at the Regional Agricultural Research Station, Ambalavayal was used for the purpose of the study. The study revealed that the soil characteristics such as pH, organic carbon exchangeable Ca and exchangeable Mg were found to exert direct influence in increasing the black pepper yield. Highest yields were obtained when the organic carbon content of the soil was more than 2 per cent and pH around 6.5. An increased level of soil pH and organic matter content decreased the availability of S and Fe in the soil. Significant correlations were obtained between leaf nutrient concentrations and yield of black pepper. Significant positive correlation existed between foliar N and soil organic carbon and between foliar N and soil pH. Very high positive correlation observed between foliar P and S and foliar Ca and Mg indicated the synergestic interaction between these nutrients in black pepper. Foliar K maintained negative correlation with foliar Mg indicating the antagonistic effect between mono and divalent cations. The relationships between the yield and the nutrients removed by the spikes by way of harvest were highly significant. The very high correlations indicated a linear proportionality between yield and the quantity of each nutrient removed from the system. The regression analysis of the nutrient-yield relationships shows that the quantities of nutrients removed from the system through 1 kg of harvested produce were in the decending order of N, K, Ca, Mg, P, S, Fe, Mn and Zn at the rate of 6.35 g, 6.33 g, 1.11 g, 0.47 g, 0.44 g, 0.29 g, 42.89 mg, 34.45 mg and 4.28 mg respectively. These quantities may be considered as the additional requirement by the vine for one kg increment in yield. It was observed that irrespective of the yield potential, the quantity of each nutrient required for production of 1 kg of green pepper is fairly constant and vines with higher production potential require relatively and proportionately higher dose of nutrients. This shows that there is need for amending the fertilizer recommendation of black pepper based on yield potential of the vine.