Studies on Macro Vegetative Propagation of Black Pepper (Piper Nigrum Linn.) Using Vine Cuttings: Effects of Plant and Cultural Factors on Sprouting, Rooting and Seedling Development

Abstract

The type of cutting with or without leaves, rooting media, the environment under which propagation is carried out and fungicide treatment of cuttings, influence the successful vegetative multiplication of planting materials of black pepper (Piper nigrum Linn.) from vines. All the softwood cuttings died within one week after setting them whilst more of the hardwood cuttings sprouted and survived producing more vegetative growth than the semi-hardwood cuttings. Rooting media did not significantly affect the production of sprouts but survival rate of developed seedlings was higher in top soil and the mixture of topsoil and river sand than cuttings set in river sand alone. Dipping cuttings in fungicides, retaining leaves on cuttings and propagating them under transparent polythene sheet or bags to raise the humidity in the rooting environment resulted in the production of more sprouts and enhanced seedling survival and development. Dry weights of seedlings were affected by the various treatments. Environment and rooting media each had significant interaction with nodal positions.