Agriculture Reference
In-Depth Information
low rainfall areas, most of the spices are grown under rainfed conditions
in general. Yield (productivity) of most of the spices is low in India com-
pared to other growing countries, which is mainly attributed to the prevail-
ing climatic conditions. In India, black pepper and cardamom growing
regions of southern states receive on an average 1500-4000 mm rainfall of
which around 80% is distributed between June and October, and very less
during November to May. This uneven distribution affects growth, flower-
ing and also nutrient absorption from soil. Low soil moisture coupled with
high radiation load and high temperature leads to wilting of plants, thus
affecting productivity. Basin irrigation of pepper vines at 40-50 L/vine
at fortnightly intervals during this period can enhance productivity sub-
stantially (Ankegowda et al., 2011). Now the climate change is becoming
a reality with shift in monsoon pattern, frequent drought, flood, heat and
cold waves, sun stroke, etc. These climatic variables affect the productiv-
ity of crops to a great extent.
11.2
BLACK PEPPER (
PIPER NIGRUM
L.)
Black pepper, often referred to as black gold is one of the important for-
eign exchange earners among spices. Presently, it is cultivated in more
than 25 countries. India, Brazil, Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand, Sri Lanka,
Vietnam, People Republic of China, Madagascar and Mexico are the im-
portant producers. In India, it is generally grown in southern states viz.,
Kerala, Karnataka, Tamilnadu, Maharashtra, Goa and is slowly spreading
to nontraditional areas such as East and West Godavari districts of Andhra
Pradesh, Orissa, West Bengal, Andaman and Nicobar islands and north
eastern states. The optimum temperature for crop growth is in the range of
23-32 °C, though it tolerates a temperature range of 10-40 °C. It can be
grown from sea level to 1500 m above MSL (Radhakrishnan et al.
,
2002).
Tropical temperature and high relative humidity with little variation in
day length throughout the year is relished by the crop. The crop requires
a well-distributed rainfall of 2000-3000 mm for better productivity. It is
susceptible to excessive heat and dryness (Sivaraman et al., 1999). Hao et
al. (2012) reported that the minimum temperature of the coldest month,
the mean monthly temperature range, and the precipitation of the wet-
test month were identified as highly effective factors in the distribution of
black pepper and could possibly account for the crop's distribution pat-
