Finding the best black pepper variety is a little bit difficult. The quality of black pepper depends on many factors such as climate, soil, etc. Best quality black peppers thus depend on own various factors. Black pepper grown in regions with high humidity and rainfall, as well as well-draining soil that is rich in organic matter, tends to produce higher-quality peppercorns. Black pepper grown in regions with a tropical climate, such as the Malabar Coast of India, is considered to be some of the highest quality pepper in the world. The warm and humid climate, as well as the fertile soil, creates the ideal conditions for the pepper vines to thrive, producing large, flavourful peppercorns. Black pepper grown in regions with a dry or arid climate may produce smaller, as the vines struggle to survive in harsh conditions. Similarly, pepper grown in regions with poor soil quality or inadequate rainfall may also produce lower-quality peppercorns. Pepper plants can be grown in a variety of ways, including in pots or containers, in the ground, or on a trellis or other support. They prefer warm temperatures, high humidity, and well-drained soil rich in organic matter. They also require a lot of sunlight.
There are many types of black pepper varieties available in the market from both improved and local varieties. Finding the best variety depends on yield, climate, diseases free, and many other factors. Some of the best varieties are listed below based on each of these factors. Most common black pepper diseases.
Pepper Thekkan comes under the high yield variety and it’s one best varieties. Thomas a farmer from Idukki, Kerala, with deep interest and wide knowledge in agriculture research Had developed the variety, Pepper Thekkan. Pepper Thekken is noted for its highly branched spikes, which result in high yield. Eight hundred to thousand berries can be found in a single spike of this variety against 60 to 80 berries in a locally popular variety. The berries are present on both main and branched spikes.
Increased Lateral branches with more nodes and internodes, resistance to insects and diseases particularly quick wilt, thin epidermis, negligible air cavity, etc are other distinguishing features of Tekken. The negligible air cavity leads to enhanced dry weight. About 8600 kg of dry pepper can be produced from one hectare.
These peppercorns grow on the Karimunda pepper plant, a robust, high-producing species that’s native to Kerala. Karimunda peppercorns are said to have been the variety that was first exported to Cambodia. Pepper Karimunda is a wild variety that has been cultivated in Kerala for a long time. Now also it stands different from other varieties with its disease-resistant nature. Karimunda plants are mainly grown in pepper farming areas of Kerala, Karnataka, and Tamil Nadu. Karimunda plants have ovate small leaves with even margins, dark green leaves, and spikes. They have high spiking intensity. Their yield per wine is said to be 3-5. New spikes will be dark in color.
Pepper Panniyur 1 is the first Black Pepper variety developed by the black pepper research institute
at Kerala Agricultural University, Kannur. The above product is Panniyur 1 pepper variety. The
Panniyur crop is mainly cultivated in major parts of Kerala, Karnataka, and Tamil Nadu.
The variety is said to be suited to all pepper-growing regions, however, do not tolerate high shade.
This variety yields 1242 kg/ha (Dry). These have long spikes with large berries, and early bearing,
and perform well in open. New spikes will be light greenish in color.
Types of black pepper varieties
Kerala Agricultural University has released a new black pepper hybrid Vijay which is high yielding with
bold berries and high quality. Vijay is a hybrid between Panniyur 2 and Neelamundi and was released
for cultivation in Kerala. This variety is resistant to Phytophthora Foot root disease. It has an average
yield of 6 kg per plant. These plants are said to be resistant to heat, ie they don’t need shades, as
compared to other black pepper varieties. This black pepper variety can be grown in places with hot
temperatures too.
IISR Shakthi Pepper is a variety released by ICAR-Indian Institute Spice Research on 2004. Shakthi
pepper is an Open pollinated progeny of Perambramundi. Which can be grown on both plains and
high ranges under rain-fed conditions. This black pepper variety belongs to the Medium Maturity
Group.
IISR Subhakara Pepper is a variety released by ICAR-Indian Institute Spice Research in 1990.
Subhakara pepper is a Selection from Karimunda (KS 27). Which can be grown on All pepper-
growing tracts of Kerala and Southern Karnataka. This black pepper variety belongs to the Medium
Maturity Group.
Panniyur-6: It is a variety released from Pepper Research Station, Panniyur. Panniyur 6 is a selection
from a local cultivar ‘Karimunda’. It gives stable and regular yield and performs well under open as
well as partially shaded conditions. A special attribute of this variety is the production of more spikes
per unit area with close settings and attractive bold medium berries. It has an average yield of
2127kg. dry pepper and potential yield 3359 kg dry pepper. Black pepper prevention and management of black pepper diseases
Agali Pepper the black pepper variety developed by Mr. George Kalluvellil Varkey of Thachampara is
said to have one kg of his pepper variety and will yield half a kg of black pepper as against the 320-
330 grams of other pepper varieties. Amongst the different genotypes of black pepper, Agali Pepper
gives dry recovery above 46%. Fresh yield ranges from 8-10 kg vine. Another advantage of the
cultivator is its high tolerance to pests as compared to other varieties. The plant has a light purple
shoot tip, semi-erect lateral branches, and ovate large leaves (l3.6×7.5cm) with acuminate tips. The accession is characterized by short, straight spikes with a mean length of 8.33cm, high dry
recovery(46%), and medium-sized, firm, round berries with attractive color.
Thippali belongs to Black Pepper Family Piperaceae. The plant is a slender, glabrous, climber or
creeping shrub that spreads on the ground striking roots at each node. It produces two distinct
dimorphic branches – a vegetative main branch that creeps on the ground and erects growing
reproductive axillary branches. Thippali plant flowers throughout the year and are diecious in nature
with male and female flowers produced on different plants. The inflorescence is spike about 35
millimeters long 5 millimeters thick, composed of the large number of minute grayish green or darker
gray fruits, which together with bracts that supports them, are embedded in an elongated axis, and
the whole is covered with a greyish dust.
bush pepper
Bush pepper likely refers to a method of growing pepper plants that involves training the plant to
grow in a bush-like shape, rather than allowing it to grow as a vine. This method can be useful in
areas where space is limited. With this method, it is important to ensure that the plant receives
enough sunlight, water, and nutrients to support its growth.