Potting media optimization for quality seedling production of black pepper (Piper nigram) using runner shoot cuttings

Abstract

The present study was conducted in the lath house of Citrus Research Station, Bangladesh Agricultural Research Institute, Jaintapur, Sylhet, during the years 2020 and 2021 (from April to July) to find out the best potting media for quality seedling production of black pepper from runner shoot cuttings. Two growing media, namely   soil and coco dust, and two nutrient sources, viz. vermicompost and farmyard manure (FYM) were combined in different ratios to make nine potting media combinations. These were: T₁ = soil alone, T₂ = coco dust alone, T₃ = soil + coco dust (1:1 v/v), T₄ = soil + vermicompost (1:1 v/v), T₅ = soil + FYM (1:1 v/v), T₆ = coco dust + vermicompost (1:1 v/v), T₇ = coco dust + FYM (1:1 v/v), T₈ = soil + coco dust + vermicompost (1:1:1 v/v), T₉ = soil + coco dust + FYM (1:1:1 v/v). The experiment was laid out in a randomized complete block design with three replications using ten cuttings per replication for each treatment. Among the different potting media compositions, coco dust + vermicompost at 1:1 v/v ratio resulted in the earliest sprouting (17 days and 19 days), the highest success in sprouting percentage (100% and 86.67%), maximum survival percentage (94.33% and 89%), and maximum number of newly emerged leaves cutting⁻¹ (4.67) compared to the control and other treatments in both years (2020 and 2021). This treatment also performed best in terms of root parameters viz. maximum number of primary roots cutting⁻¹ (15.67 and 16), longest root (24 cm and 19 cm), maximum root fresh weight (1.05 g and 1.14 g) and root dry weight (0.07 g and 0.42 g). Additionally, the longest shoot (37 cm and 39 cm) and the maximum shoot fresh weight (12.90 g and 17.99 g) and dry weight (3.14 g and 4.29 g) were also recorded in coco dust + vermicompost (1:1 v/v). The study suggests that the media consisting of coco dust + vermicompost (1:1 v/v) could be a better option for maximizing high- quality seedling production of black pepper using runner shoots cutting.

Bangladesh J. Agril. Res. 50(2): 111-126, June 2025