Spatial influence on the important bio-chemical properties of Piper nigrum Linn. leaves

Abstract

Black pepper (Piper nigrum Linn.) is available in a vast altitudinal diversity and shows great adaptability to a wide range of climatic and soil conditions. The study of leaf biochemical components such as chlorophyll, carotene and phenol concentration and bio-mass percentage, showed considerable intra species variation in wild black pepper collected from the Western Ghats (Karnataka and Kerala). The results plotted in map with the help of ARC-GIS software to get an idea of spatial variation, indicated that, the diversity of chlorophyll and carotene percentage is wide in a narrow geographical range, but certain patch showed high phenol concentration (between 10º48' and 12º25' latitude).