6.

Nursery Management

ursery production of planting materials has received much attention in the

recent times. When a new high yielding variety is evolved, it is important to
ensure that the planting material is disseminated to farmers in a short span of time.
Much work has been done in almost all the pepper producing countries towards
improving nursery techniques

6.1.

India
For a long time, only runner shoots have been used as planting material in India.
These shoots are collected in the months of January and February from high
yielding and disease free plants. They are cut into pieces of 3 - 4 nodal lengths.
Cuttings are planted at the rate of 3 or 4 numbers per polythene bags filled with
potting mixture. Bags are arranged in rows of 5 or 6 and of convenient length
inside an open-sided temporary shed for shade. They are regularly watered using a
watering can or suitable hose. Within a few days the cuttings strike roots and
shoot development takes place soon from the nodes above the soil. In 3 to 4
months the new shoots should have grown to about 30 cm in length. They are
ready now for planting in the main field.
Nearly three decades ago, a rapid multiplication technique was developed at
Pepper Research Station, Panniyur in Kerala, to improve the efficiency of
propagation of pepper. A pit of 50 cm square and 50 cm depth is filled with
topsoil mixed with compost or well rotted farmyard manure. About 6 to 8 stem
cuttings prepared from the runner shoots are planted in each pit and watered
regularly. Wooden poles, each about two meters long, are planted in the four
corners of the pit, with coir rope wrapped around the poles to provide support for
the growing pepper plants. The pit method of propagation gives nearly 20 cutting
per year from each plant. Instead of pits, trenches of any convenient length can be
prepared and material for making stem cuttings can be prepared in the same way.
The problems observed in both these methods were poor striking of roots in the
nursery and high rate of casualties when planted in the field. This problem has
been overcome through the bamboo rapid multiplication method developed in Sri
Lanka and refined by the Indian Institute of Spices Research, Kozhikode (Fig.19).
Under this method, a 0.75 meter deep and 0.3 meter wide trench of any
convenient length is dug. More similar trenches can be made with a gap of 1.25
meters between trenches. The trenches are filled with rooting medium (preferably
mixture of forest soil, sand and decomposed farmyard manure in a 1:1:1 ratio).
About 1.5 kg of lime is added for every meter length of the trench. Split halves of
bamboo pieces, 1.25-1.5 m long and 8-10 cm in diameter, with septa intact, are
fixed on both sides of a strong central support, at 30cm intervals at an angle of
45o. The bamboo pieces on opposite sides can be arranged to be touching one
another. Rooted cuttings are planted in the trench at the rate of one cutting for
each bamboo piece. The lower portions of the bamboo splits are filled with a
rooting medium (preferably a mixture of weathered coir dust and farmyard
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Nursery Management
manure mixture in a 1:1 ratio). The growing plant is tied (with dried banana
sheath fibres) to the bamboo split in such a way as to keep the nodes pressed to
the rooting medium. The vines are irrigated regularly. VAM fungi, bio-control
agents, such as Trichoderma can be added to the rooting medium. As the plants
grow, the bamboo splits are filled with rooting medium and each node is tied
down, pressing it against the rooting medium, and the process is continued along
the length of the bamboo splits. For rapid growth, a nutrient solution prepared
with urea (1 kg), super phosphate (0.75 kg), muriate of potash (0.5 kg),
magnesium sulphate (0.25 kg) in 250 liters of water may be applied at the rate of
0.25 liter per plant, 2 or 3 times a month.
When the plant reaches the top of the bamboo split (this may take about 3 months
from initial planting), the terminal bud is nipped off and stem is crushed at about
three nodes above the base, in order to activate the growth of auxiliary buds.
After about 10 days, each plant is cut at the crushed point and taken out of the
rooting medium without damaging the root system at each node.
Then single node cuttings are taken from the plants and planted in polybags filled
with potting mixture. Care should be taken to keep the auxiliary bud above the
soil. The polybags should be kept in a cool humid place or under a thin polythene
(200 gauge) cover to retain high humidity. In about 3 weeks, the buds start
developing and the polybags can be removed to an open shaded area. The
advantages of this method are that multiplication is rapid, at a ratio of 1:40, root
systems are well developed, about 90% of planted material may be established in
the field and it is cost effective, with an expenditure of only about US$ 0.11 per
cutting ready for field planting.
Fig.19. A rapid multiplication nursery using bamboo splits in India

Source: Indian Institute of Spices Research, Kozhikode

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Nursery Management
A new technique for producing planting material for pepper, known as the pit
method of propagation, using single nodes of field grown plants has been
developed recently at the Indian Institute of Spices Research, Kozhikode. The
technique is simple and suited to small and marginal farmers. A pit 2 m x 1m with
a depth of 0.5 m is prepared in a relatively cool, shaded area of the farm. Single
nodal cuttings of approximately 8-10 cm length with leaves intact, taken from
runner shoots of field grown pepper, are planted in polythene bags (25x15cm,
200gauge) filled with potting mixture. When planting, the leaf axil is kept just
above the potting mixture. The polybags are then arranged in the pit with about
150 bags in each pit of the size specified. The pit is then covered with a polythene
sheet. This sheet may be secured in position by placing stones on the corners.
The cuttings should be watered at least five times a day with a watering can.
Immediately after watering, the pit should be covered again with the polythene
sheet. It is advisable to occasionally drench the cuttings with copper oxychloride
(2g/litre). After 2-3 weeks from planting, the cuttings should begin to produce
roots which should be visible through the polythene bags. With root initiation,
watering should be reduced to 3-4 times a day. About a month later, healthy
shoots emerge from the leaf axils. The polybags can be taken out of the pit after
two months of planting and kept in a shaded place and watered twice daily. These
cuttings will be ready for field planting after about two and a half months. With
this method, 80-85 % success can be obtained. Foliar application of nutrient
solutions will enhance the growth of the shoots. The main advantages of this
method are its simplicity, low cost and the relatively short time required for
cuttings to be ready for planting in the field.
Table 17 describes various pests and diseases that damage young plants in the
nursery and their symptoms and identifies the main control measures.

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6.

Nursery Management
Table 17
Management of Pests and Diseases in the Nursery

Pests/Diseases and
Causal organisms

Period of
occurrence.

Leaf rot and blight

of rooted cuttings
caused by
Rhizoctonia solani.

April-May
when warm
humid
conditions
prevail.

Symptoms

Control measures

1.

Removal and destruction of the

affected cuttings along with
defoliated leaves. All the cuttings
should be given a spray with 0.2%
Bavistin or 0.2% copper
oxychloride (Blitox, Fytolon,
Cupramar etc.) (2 g of the
chemical is mixed in 1 litre water)
or 1% Bordeaux mixture at
monthly intervals to check the
incidence of disease
Drench with Copper Oxychloride.

2.
3.

4.

5.

Basal Wilt
caused by the fungus
Sclerotium rolf

Leaf spot
Phytophthora
capsici
Root-knot
nematode
Meloidogyne
incognita

JuneSeptember.

July-August

Root necrosis & rot

caused by
Radopholus similis
Leaf gall thrips
Liliothrips kanyi

Scale insects
Lepidosaphes
piperis
Leaf feeding
caterpillars
Root mealybug
(Planococcus sp.)

If soil for
preparing
the potting
mixture is
solarized,
nematode
problems
will not
arise.
Anytime

April-May

Anytime
April-May

Infection starts as small brownish

lesions on the leaves.
Mature lesions appear brittle and
whitish to dark grey.
The adjacent infected leaves
become attached to each other
because of the fast spreading
fungal threads (hyphae).
On stems, infection occurs as
dark brown lesions both upward
and downward.
New flushes above the points of
infection gradually droop and dry
up.

1.

Water-soaked spots are seen on

the stem.
2. At an advanced stage, rotting of
the stem can be observed.
3. 3. Drooping of leaves beyond the
point of infection and in advanced
cases rooted cuttings die.
Leaf spots/leaf rot and stem rot

1.
2.

Roots show characteristic galls,

lesion and rot.
The nematode infested cuttings
show stunted growth and foliar
yellowing.

1.

As above.

Fortnightly application of 1%
Bordeaux mixture
In case symptoms do appear,
phorate may be applied at a rate of
1 gm per polybag.

Formation of marginal galls on

leaves.
2. Crinkling and malformation of
infected leaves
Yellowing and drying of infected
leaves and shoots of older cuttings.

Spray 0.05% Dimethoate on

tender flushes.

Feeding holes on leaf lamina and

margins
Yellowing and drying of leaves and
shoots

Spray Quinalphos 0.05%

Spray Dimethoate 0.1%. Repeat

spraying after 21 days.

Drench Chlorpyrophos 0.075%

Source: Indian Institute of Spices Research, Kozhikode

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6.

Nursery Management
The incidence of pests and diseases in the nursery can be avoided to a great extent
by adopting prophylactic measures. Runner shoots or other planting materials for
the nursery should be collected from healthy plants. Runner shoots, which are
trailing on the ground if collected should be washed well with water to remove
soil particles and dipped in a fungicide solution prepared with any copper
fungicide before planting in polythene bags. Potting mixtures for the nursery may
be by solarized for 30-40 days by spreading the mixture in an open area, to a
depth of 30 cm, moistening with water and covering with polythene sheets. It is
important that the temperature below the polythene sheet rises to at least by 4-5o C
more than the ambient temperature for all of the days during this period. After
solarisation, the mixture may be fortified with VAM and antagonistic fungi such
as Trichoderma and Gleocladium. Further, whenever cuttings growing in the
nursery show disease symptoms, they should be removed and a 1% Bordeaux
mixture sprayed to contain the incidence.
The requirement of various materials and the cost for setting up and maintaining a
nursery with an annual production capacity of about 20,000 planting materials,
using the split bamboo method is shown in Table 18.

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Nursery Management
Table 18
Cost Estimate of Rapid Multiplication Unit under Bamboo Method for
Producing Yearly 20,000 Planting Materials
Items

Cost (US$)

I. Non-recurring expenditure
1
2

Cleared, levelled nursery area with good drainage

Semi-permanent nursery structure of size 24 x 6m with GI pipe pillars
and MS pipe truss and purling
Masonry charges including cost of cement
Total

---------1933.30
266.65
2199.95

II. Recurring Expenditure (once in 3 years)

1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10

Bamboo 200 numbers @ US$ 1.20 per piece of 1.5 m length

Arranging bamboo splits (10 man days) @ US$ 2.67 day
Runner shoots @ US$ 0.14 per length for 600 Nos
Farmyard manure @ US$ 0.45 per cubic foot 260 cft
Forest soil @ US$ 0.13 per cft for 650 cft
Sand @ US$ 0.20 per cft for 260 cft
Fumigation of potting mixture
Coir dust 60 cft
Preparation of rooting medium 240 cft- 6mandays
Preparation of potting mixture 982 cft - 15 man days
Total

III. Recurring Expenditure (every year)

1.Fertilizers
a. Urea 29 Kg @ US$ 0.10 per kg
b. Super phosphate 29kg @ US$ 0.07 per kg
c. Muriate of potash 15kg @ US$ 0.10 per kg
d. Magnesium sulphate 7kg @ US$ 0.08 per kg
e. Application of cow dung slurry
2. Plant protection chemicals
a. Ridomil 1 kg @ US$ 28.90 per kg
b. Phorate 22kg @ US$ 1.11 per kg
c. Quinalphos 1lit @ US$ 7.11
d. Copper oxychloride 10 kg @ 0.32 per kg
3. Charges for application of nutrient solution and
pesticides/fungicides(15mandays)@ US$ 2.89 per day
4. Labour charges for tying vines, irrigation and maintenance
5. Cost of temporary shed (1000 capacity 12m x 6m)
6. Cost of shade net
Total
Annuity value @14%
Total cost of production
Cost of production/cutting

Pepper Production Guide for Asia and The Pacific

240.00
26.70
84.00
117.00
84.50
52.00
28.90
2.65
16.00
40.00
689.75

2.90
2.03
1.50
0.56
2.22
28.90
24.42
7.11
3.20
43.35
800.00
188.89
177.77
1282. 85
727.46
2019.57
0.11

46

6.

Nursery Management
The cost of production comes to only US$ 0.11 per plant, based on prices
prevailing in 2002. In India, much of the planting material requirement for
replanting or new planting is met from the nurseries maintained by government
departments and research stations. However, it is difficult to meet the heavy
demand for newly released, high yielding varieties from these sources. The
distribution of good quality planting materials is important for development of the
pepper industry in India.
Recently, tissue culture techniques for propagation have been developed in India.
The Kerala Agricultural University, Vellanikkara, Trichur (Fig. 20 & 21) and
Indian Institute of Spices research, Kozhikode, undertook much of the work for
this development, under a scheme supported by the Department of Biotechnology,
Government of India. On-farm evaluation trials are in progress with planting in an
area of 100 ha, with the involvement of the two organizations and the Spices
Board of India.
Fig.20
Tissue culture laboratory multiplying pepper plants

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Nursery Management
Fig.21 Close up of a flask with multiple pepper shoots

Source: Kerala Agricultural University, Vellanikkara, Trichur

Recently, the cultivation of bush pepper has gained some attention. Bush pepper
cultivation is convenient, particularly in coconut plantations and as a small patch
in the front or back yard of dwellings. Some people grow pepper in pots as an
ornamental crop, which also provides them some production for household
consumption. For bush pepper cultivation, plagiotropic or lateral fruiting branches
are to be used for propagation of these plants.

6.2

Indonesia
Nursery production of planting materials is not common in Indonesia. Generally
cuttings with 5- 7 nodes are directly planted in the field. Sometimes single node
cuttings (Fig.22 & 23) are allowed to root by maintaining a temporary nursery
while land preparation activities, including clearing the bush, preparing drainage
canals and digging planting holes, are under way.
A temporary nursery is prepared by digging a shallow trench where cuttings are
kept for 2- 4 weeks. If cuttings have to be kept for a longer time, because more
time is required for land preparation, the cuttings are planted in polythene bags
filled with a mixture of fertile soil, sand and animal manure in the ratio of 1:1:1.
Nursery duration is relatively short and pests and disease incidences are not
common. However, plant protection chemicals, such as Dithane may be applied.
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Nursery Management
For mass production of planting materials, a single node nursery method is
adopted. Regular watering, occasional foliar spraying of nutrients and weeding
need to be carried out from time to time.

Fig.22
Single node propagation technique in Indonesia

Fig.23
Root development in single node cuttings in Indonesia

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Nursery Management
6.3

Malaysia
For propagation, cuttings are taken from orthotropic (upright growing) or terminal
shoots. Each cutting should have five nodes (Fig.24 a).
Fig. 24 Five-node cuttings
(a) Collected from the plant
(b) On the plant

The criteria for selecting a parent plant for taking the cuttings are as follows:
1.
2.
3.
4.

The plant must be a recommended cultivar.

It must be healthy and vigorously growing.
It must be free from pests, diseases and nutritional disorders.
The plant must not be older than two years.

Before taking the cuttings from mother plants, the top 4 to 6 nodes are pruned off
to accelerate growth of axillary buds. After 10-14 days, the shoot is cut off and
carefully removed from the support with the help of the blunt edge of a pruning
knife. (Fig.24b). Although cuttings can be planted directly during the rainy
season, they are often rooted in a nursery for 4- 8 weeks for better results.

6.4

Sri Lanka
Whether runner shoots (as in India) and terminal stems (as in Malaysia) are taken
as planting material, a liberal approach is followed in collecting cuttings from
mother plants. They could be terminal stems, lateral branches or basal runners.
Planting materials are collected from parent plants usually immediately after
harvest. Once collected, the basal cut end is soon immersed in water to prevent
air bubbles getting into xylem vessels. The time between collection of shoots and
planting in a rooting medium is usually reduced to the minimum in order to
prevent dehydration. If delays are expected, the material is kept in a cool place
covered with wet newspaper, banana leaves or similar materials after moistening.
Keeping cuttings for long periods before planting is not desirable and nurserymen
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Nursery Management
are advised not to exceed a time lapse of more than 24 hours before planting.
From the collected materials, 2-3 nodal cuttings are prepared for rooting in
polythene bags or for planting directly in the field.
There are three rapid multiplication methods adopted in Sri Lanka - bamboo
method, heap method and polythene tube method (Fig.25 and 26). In all these, the
underlying principle is to allow the shoots to climb on a column of rooting
medium prepared by mixing cattle manure and coir dust. Since the plants grow in
contact with the rooting medium roots are formed easily at each node.
Fig.25. Rapid multiplication system in Sri Lanka, using:
a) split bamboo
b) heap

Fig.26. Rapid multiplication system using polythene tubes in Sri Lanka

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Nursery Management
To some extent, the methods applied are similar to the rapid multiplication
methods followed in India. A rapid multiplication method using bamboo splits is
adopted, particularly for the propagation of Panniyur 1. Studies made at the
research station of the Department of Export Agriculture revealed that 2 nodal
cuttings with a single leaf prepared from runner shoots are most suitable for
propagation, particularly using a humid chamber (Fig.27 and 28). Many
nurserymen follow this method, as a large numbers of rooted cuttings can be
produced from a small quantity of superior genetic material, in a relatively short
period.
Fig.27. Humid chamber for rooting of pepper cuttings
planted in polybags in Sri Lanka

Fig.28. Inside view of humid chamber with pepper cuttings

planted in polybags in Sri Lanka

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