Development of Screening Method for Moisture Deficit Tolerance of Black Pepper Genotypes

M. Alagupalamuthirsolai *

ICAR-Indian Institute of Spices Research, Marikunnu P.O., Kozhikode, Kerala –673012, India.

V. Srinivasan

ICAR-Indian Institute of Spices Research, Marikunnu P.O., Kozhikode, Kerala –673012, India.

C. Sarathambal

ICAR-Indian Institute of Spices Research, Marikunnu P.O., Kozhikode, Kerala –673012, India.

C. K. Thankamani

ICAR-Indian Institute of Spices Research, Marikunnu P.O., Kozhikode, Kerala –673012, India.

K. S. Krishnamurthy

ICAR-Indian Institute of Spices Research, Marikunnu P.O., Kozhikode, Kerala –673012, India.

K. P. Subila

ICAR-Indian Institute of Spices Research, Marikunnu P.O., Kozhikode, Kerala –673012, India.

*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.


Abstract

Black pepper is basically a rainfed crop in India.  Drought is the chief abiotic stress causing up to 50-80% crop loss in black pepper. Lack of precise screening methodology to develop moisture stress tolerant lines is a limiting factor in black pepper productivity. To develop a rapid screening methodology, a laboratory experiment was conducted with rooted black pepper cuttings under hydroponic culture. The experiment was designed in a completely randomized with four replications. Moisture stress was imposed with six different concentrations of Polyethylene glycol-6000 (5, 8, 10, 12, 15 and 20 per cent) along with control in black pepper cv. Panniyur-1, IISR-Thevam, IISR-Sreekara and IISR-Girimunda. The results showed that Panniyur-1, IISR-Thevam, IISR-Sreekara and IISR-Girimunda at the PEG-6000 concentrations of 8%, 10%, 10%, 10% respectively reduced per cent cuttings survival almost by 50% Lethal dose (LD50) after 10 days of PEG stress and also, a significant increase in proline was recorded up to 10% PEG-6000. Hence, 10% PEG-6000 appears to be an ideal concentration for screening black pepper genotypes for moisture stress tolerance.

Keywords: Black pepper, moisture stress, screening, PEG-6000, proline


How to Cite

Alagupalamuthirsolai, M., V. Srinivasan, C. Sarathambal, C. K. Thankamani, K. S. Krishnamurthy, and K. P. Subila. 2021. “Development of Screening Method for Moisture Deficit Tolerance of Black Pepper Genotypes”. International Journal of Environment and Climate Change 11 (2):157-64. https://doi.org/10.9734/ijecc/2021/v11i230372.