Influence of major nutrients and seasons in yellowing affected black pepper fields

Abstract

The experiment was carried out during the period 2016-2019 at department of plantation crops and spices, College of Horticulture and from farmer’s fields in Thrissur district. Survey was conducted based on disease spread and intensity of yellowing in black pepper gardens. Soil and leaf samples were collected from the different locations selected during the three different seasons. (July-August, October-November and February-March). During three seasons of the year, in the rhizosphere soils of healthy plants showed significantly high nitrogen and potassium compared to apparently healthy and yellowing affected plants. Phosphorus content was significantly lower in the rhizosphere soil of apparently healthy plants, while healthy and yellowing affected plants were statistically on par. Whereas, yellowing affected plants of leaves showed poor uptake of nutrients like nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium content. As the result of nutrient deficiency the total green berry yield per plant was shown significantly reduction in yellowing affected plants compared to healthy plants.