Influence of different support systems on vegetative growth, yield attributes and yield of black pepper (piper nigrum)

Abstract

The experiment was conducted to investigate the effect of various biotic (living trees) and abiotic (non-living RCC pole) support systems on vegetative growth, yield attributes, and berry yield of black pepper (Piper nigrum L.) in a long-term field trial conducted from 2014 to 2021 at the Spices Research Sub-station, Bangladesh Agricultural Research Institute (BARI), Jaintiapur, Sylhet. The variety ‘Jaintia Golmorich-1’ was used in the experiment. The treatment comprised eight different supports viz., Jhika tree (Lannea coromandelica), Mandar tree (Erythrina variegata), Mango tree (Mangifera indica), Jackfruit tree (Artocarpus heterophyllus), Wild Jamun tree (Syzygium cumini), Carambola tree (Averrhoa carambola), Areca nut tree (Areca catechu) and RCC pole. The experiment was laid out in a randomized complete block design with three replications. The results based on three years’ (2019, 2020 and 2021) average data revealed that the maximum number of productive plagiotropes was found under Wild Jamun and Jackfruit tree, respectively. The highest pooled value of spikes per 0.25 m² was recorded in Wild Jamun tree (30.93), while spike length was highest from the vines trailed on Jackfruit tree (12.52 cm). Maximum spike weight (17.56 g) was found from Mango tree, whereas the highest number of berries per spike was observed in the vines trailed on Wild jamun (82.53). The longest maturity duration was observed in Mango support (232.11 days), while RCC pole support showed the shortest (194.46 days). Wild Jamun produced the highest fresh yield (15.98 kg) followed by Jackfruit tree (15.88 kg) but the lowest fresh yield was obtained from the vines supported on Mandar tree (3.04 kg) being statistically similar to Jhika tree (3.09 kg) and RCC pole (3.11 kg). The highest dry yield over three years was found in the vines trailed on Jackfruit tree (5.52 kg) closely followed by Wild jamun tree (5.49 kg) but the lowest pooled mean was recorded from Mandar. The highest dry matter percent were observed under Jackfruit tree (35.36%) followed by Areca nut tree (35.19%), Mango tree (35.05%) and RCC pole (34.55%). The experimental results suggested the uses of Jackfruit and Wild Jamun tree as the best living standards providing structural support and favorable microclimatic, also enhanced reproductive efficiency.

Bangladesh J. Agril. Res. 50(1): 49-75, March 2025