Influence of root trainer and rooting media on root and shoot growth of black pepper (Piper nigrum L.)

Abstract

Black pepper is one of the major spices of India earning huge foreign exchange to the country through exports. In this study the effect of root trainers on various root and shoot parameters is studied over the conventional method of raising cuttings in polybags using thirteen different media combinations. Most of the root parameters were observed to be superior in the cuttings raised in root trainers compared to that of polybags. The treatment T13 (Soil + perlite + vermicompost - 2:1:2) recorded highest rooting percentage (80.50 %) in root trainer compared to polybag (78.00%). Root volume was found to be maximum in the root trainer (6.25cm3) compared to the polybag (5.5cm3) in the treatment T 12 (Soil + perlite + FYM in 2:1:2). The treatment T13 (Soil + perlite + vermicompost - 2:1:2) recorded early sprouting of cuttings (20.90 days) and maximum sprouting percentage (84.00) in root trainers.