Orthotropic Shoot Propagation in Black Pepper (Piper nigrum L.)

Abstract

An experiment on orthotropic shoot propagation in black pepper (Piper nigrum L.) was conducted at All India Co-ordinated Research Project on Spices, Dapoli centre during the years 2008-2009, 2009-10 and 2010-11. Twelve treatment combinations of three types of cuttings (2, 3 and 5 nodes) and four growth regulators IBA, PGPR (Pseudomonas fluorescence -10⁸), 2% common sugar and control (without any treatment) were evaluated. Significantly maximum rooting success (89.11%) was observed in three node cuttings which were at par with two node cuttings (86.88%). Also significantly maximum rooting success (90.22%) was observed in PGPR treatment which was followed by common sugar (85.63%) treatment. The combined effect of types of cuttings and growth regulators indicate significantly maximum rooting success in two node cutting with PGPR treatment (97.32%) followed by three node cutting with PGPR (96.44%) and two node cutting with common sugar (90.21%) treatments. Economics of production of 1000 sellable black pepper cuttings showed highest net profit with two node cuttings with PGPR (Rs.3557) and common sugar 2% (Rs. 3442) followed by 3 node cuttings with PGPR (Rs. 2853) and common sugar 2% (Rs. 2611) treatment. For obtaining higher success in black pepper propagation from orthotropic shoots it is recommended to use two node cuttings (without leaves) treated with Pseudomonas fluorescence-10⁸ powder formulation or dipped in common sugar 2% solution for one minute.