Black Pepper Health Management: Water and Nutrients

Abstract

Though black pepper export has shown substantial growth in foreign exchange, the production and productivity levels in major producing countries show a disturbing trend. Besides pests and diseases, important factor contributing to reduced yields is poor soil quality; a reflection of low carbon reserves coupled with higher nutrient mining from these soils. Poor nutrient management strategies have resulted in imbalanced nutrient levels, decreased nutrient cycling and biological activity. Low pH and lower levels of organic carbon, K, Ca, Mg, Zn and B are the major constraints in black pepper growing soils. Trials on integrated nutrient management (INM) across the countries indicated that fertilizer input efficiency can be increased through rational use of inputs and scientific management. While doing so there is an urgent need to augment supplies of soil amendments, organic manures, fortified fertilizers supplying secondary and micronutrients and bioagents to sufficiently support nutrient supply and soil health in production systems. Studies also focused the need for quantification of water and light requirement to obtain maximum benefit and as mitigation strategies for overcoming the ill effects of these abiotic stresses. Adoption of management measures such as shade regulation, irrigation, organic fertilization, INM etc. have an enormous potential to increase the yield, improve mineral nutrition and soil quality and sustain productivity of black pepper.