Nutrient diagnosis of black pepper (Piper nigrum L.) gardens in Kerala and Karnataka

Abstract

Diagnosis and Recommendation Integrated System (DRIS) indices were worked out for soil and leaf nutrient status of black pepper (Piper nigrum) at Calicut (Kerala). The nutrient analysis data obtained from extensive (130 samples) surveys of major black pepper growing tracts of Kerala and Karrnataka was compared with already worked out soil and leaf nutrient DRIS indices values to find out the deviation of nutrients from the corresponding critical concentrations. The results revealed that the soils in most of the gardens were acidic (pH 4.4 to 6.7). Soil sample analysis showed that 88% gardens had organic carbon (OC) status below the critical values, 74% gardens had Zn and 36% gardens had P and 28% gardens had Ca status below the required levels . Leaf analysis results showed that 46% samples had Mg, 39% samples had Cu and 12% samples had P, K and Zn status below the required critical values. The order o f limiting nutrients was: OC > Zn > P > Ca > K > Mg for soil and Mg > Cu > P~K~ Zn > Mn for leaf samples. The study revealed the importance of manuring black pepper gardens with organic manures supplemented with secondary and micronutrients.