Source of valuable genes for augmenting breeding in black pepper (Piper nigrum L.)

Abstract

Black pepper is cultivated in the tropical regions of the world. Favourable climatic conditions and motivated growers have made Madikeri, Karnataka a hub of black pepper plantation in the country. Large plantations on assorted standards harbouring rich diversity of the black pepper primary gene pool make the tract a gold mine for black pepper breeders. Surveys were conducted in Madikeri black pepper plantations to collect black pepper germplasm. A total of 31 accessions among which 4 unique genotypes having long spike up to 30 cm, Trimonoecious flowers, sweet type/low pungency and Vadakkan (triploid) with elongated leaves were collected. The collected materials are conserved at National Active Germplasm site (NAGs) for black pepper, ICAR-Indian Institute of Spices Research (IISR), experimental farm, Kozhikode and maintained under good conditions after rooting. The materials will be planted in field gene bank for evaluation and utilization.