[url]Introduction[/url]

Black pepper(Piper nigrum L.), belongs to the family Piperaceae. Black pepper Black pepper is called iyere in Yoruba and uziza in Igbo.

It is obtained from the perennial climbing vine, Piper nigrum which originated from the tropical forests of Western Ghats of South India. India accounts for 54% of the total area under pepper in the world but its share of production is only 26.6 %.It is a climbing evergreen plant and grows to a height of 10 m or more.

The vines branch horizontally from the modes and do not attain length, but the fully-grown vines completely cover the standard presenting the appearance of bush.

The leaves are broadly lanceolate, but wide variations occur in leaf shape and are arranged alternately. The inflorescence is a catkin produced at the nodes opposite to the upper leaves.

The fruit is a single seeded berry, which has a thin,soft pericarp surriounding the seed. It takes approximately six months to mature after flowering. Sometimes, spike shedding occurs to the extent of 14 to 65 % causing considerable loss.



Health Benefits Of Black Pepper

Improves Nutrient Absorption

The piperine in black pepper enhances the bioavailability of various nutrients such as vitamins A and C, selenium, beta-carotene, and others, thereby improving your overall health. Bioavailability refers to the amount of a nutrient or supplement that is absorbed by the body.

Enhances Digestion

Black pepper stimulates the taste buds and increases the secretion of hydrochloric acid in the stomach, which in turn aids proper digestion

By improving digestion, black pepper relieves issues like colic, bloating, indigestion, flatulence, and constipation. It also has antibacterial qualities that help treat intestinal diseases caused by bacteria.

Stimulates Appetite

Besides adding flavor to your food and promoting digestion, black pepper works as an appetite stimulant. Research has shown that black pepper helps improve the appetite through olfactory stimulation. This makes it an excellent, simple remedy for those with a poor appetite.

Facilitates Weight Loss

Black pepper also can help you lose weight. The outer layer of peppercorns contains phytonutrients that encourage the breakdown of fat cells.

Heals Arthritis

The piperine present in black pepper is highly beneficial for treating arthritis because of its anti-inflammatory and anti-arthritic properties.

It also improves circulation, thereby preventing or reducing joint pain caused by poor circulation.

Fights Cancer and Prevents Other Diseases

Black pepper has antioxidant qualities that fight cancer, especially colon and breast cancer. Its polyphenol content protects against high blood pressure, diabetes.

Relieves Gas

Being a carminative, black pepper relieves stomach gas and prevents gas formation.

Clears Congestion

Black pepper clears up a stuffy nose and congestion as it helps loosen phlegm. It also has antimicrobial properties, which is why black pepper is included in various cough and cold remedies.

Works as a Natural Antidepressant



The piperine in black pepper acts as an antidepressant by increasing serotonin production. .

Piperine also increases beta-endorphins in the brain and promotes mental clarity. Endorphins work as natural painkillers and mood elevators.

Treatment Of Teeth and Gum Infections



Since black pepper reduces pain and inflammation, you can use it with salt to reduce gum inflammation along with problems like bad breath and bleeding gums

Climatic Requirement

Black Pepper is a humid tropic plant, which requires adequate rainfall and humidity. It loves extremely humid climates where temperature ranges between 10° and 40°C. A well-distributed annual rainfall of 125-200 cm is considered ideal for black pepper cultivation.

Soil Requirement

Black pepper can be grown in a wide range of soils like clay loam, red loam, sandy loam and lateritic soils with a pH of 4.5 to 6.0. It however thrives best on virgin soil rich in organic matter.

Varieties

Majority of the cultivated types of pepper are monoecious. Over 75 cultivars of pepper are being cultivated in India. Karimunda is the most popular of all the established cultivars of pepper among the growers of Kerala. The other important cultivars are Kottanadan, Narayakkodi, Aimpiriyan, Neelamundi, Kuthiravally, Balancotta, Kalluvally, Malligesara and Uddagare.

Cropping method

Pepper can be grown as monocrop or as a mixed crop. Large scale cultivation of pepper as monocrop is done on hill slopes by clearing jungle lands and planting standards for the vines to climb on.

As a mixed crop, it is grown with arecanut, coconut, mango, jack etc. where these trees serve as standards for the pepper vines. Pepper is also a suitable intercrop in coffee estates where the shade trees as good standards for them.

Propagation



Black pepper can be propagated using the seeds but the disadvantage is that only fresh seeds are germinated and seeds are viable for very short period.

In commercial farming, black pepper is better propagated using cuttings raised mainly from the runner shoots. Cuttings from the lateral branches are seldom used, since in addition to reduction in the number of fruiting shoots, the vines raised from them are generally short lived and bushy in habit. However, rooted lateral branches are useful in raising pepper in pots.

The runner shoots are separated from the vine in February-March and after trimming the leaves, cuttings of 2 to 3 nodes each are planted either in nursery beds or polythene bags filled with fertile soil. Cuttings from middle 1/3 of the shoots are desirable as they are high yielding.

Adequate shade is to be provided and irrigated frequently. The cuttings will strike roots and become ready for planting in May-June.


Planting and Spacing Distance

When pepper is grown as a mono crop, pits of 0.5 m cube are dug at a spacing of 2.5 x 2.5 m and Erythrina stem cuttings of 2m length or its two years old seedlings are planted on receipt of early rains. With the onset of regular rains, 2 or 3 rooted cuttings are planted around the base of the standard nearly 30 cm away.
When cultivated as a mixed crop with coconut and arecanut which have a thick intercoiled root net close to the trunk, pepper cuttings should be planted 100 to 120 cm away from the tree trunk which are about 8 to 9 m high.

Initially, the vines may be allowed to climb on a stick or pole about 2 m tall, which is tied to the trunk in a slanting position. After one year, when the vine has attained sufficient length it may be separated from the temporary stake and the lower leaves may be nipped off. A narrow trench of 15 cm deep and wide should be prepared from the base of the vine to the base of the tree trunk. The vine may be placed in the trench in such a way that the growing tips it tied to the trunk while the other parts of vine is covered with the soil. A small ridge is formed over the trench which should not be disturbed while doing intercultural operations to the palm.

Black Pepper Plant Care

Humidity

Peppercorn plant loves humidity, the more the better. For this, mist the plant often with soft water. If you’re growing black pepper in pots place them on saucer filled with water, this will also increase the humidity level.



Mulching

Do mulching with organic matter to prevent moisture and weeds.

During the second year, practically the same cultural practices are repeated. However, lopping of the standards should be done carefully from the fourth year onwards, not only to regulate the height of the standards, but also to shade the pepper vines optimally. Excessive shading during flowering and fruiting encourages pest infestation.

Pruning

Pruning the top of the vine after it has reached the required height i.e. 6 m should be done when it is cultivated on standards like silver oak, coconut, arecanut for convenience of picking.

From the fourth year, usually two diggings are given one during May-June and the other towards the end of southwest monsoon in October-November. Growing cover crops like Calapogonium mucanoides, Mimosa invisa are also recommended under West Coast conditions.





Manures and fertilizer

Apply about 10 kg of well rotten cattle manure or compost is given in April-May. Fertilizers to supply 100g N, 40g P2O5 and 140g K2O per standard for vines of three years and above may be applied annually in two split doses in April-May and August-September.

During the first year of planting, 1/3 of the above dose and in the second year 2/3 of the above dose may be given. Manures are applied around the vines at a distance of 30 cm and forked into the soil. Lime may be applied at the rate of 500 g per standard during April in alternate years
Continue reading@http://theprofarmer.com/black-pepper-farming/

I take it in my tea.

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