Yield response factor (Ky) and initial growth in black pepper in a tropical environment

Black pepper is widely produced in Brazil, though there are few studies related to its water requirements and the effects of water deficit (WD) applied under tropical conditions. The growth, sensitivity to WD, and first-year productivity of irrigated plants from the Bragantina cultivar were evaluated, employing an irrigation system with automatic management. The plants were cultivated in plastic pots installed in the field for 391 days using emitters with different flow rates (2.2 [T1], 3.3 [T2], 4.3 [T3], and 5.3 L h­1 [T4 ­ control]). Fresh weight of the leaves, stems, and shoots, and dry weight of the leaves, stem, roots, and shoots as well as the total dry weight of the plant, were evaluated. Productivity was determined by evaluating the grains and spikes from a single harvest. Yield results and the actual versus maximum evapotranspiration rate for the entire growing season was used for calculating the Ky coefficient. Despite 1,346 mm of rainfall, the irrigation system was activated 165 times, distributing a mean volume of 19.0 (T1), 28.5 (T2), 37.1 (T3), and 45.8 L per plant (control). All traits were negatively affected by the WD, and the Ky values obtained (from 1.72 to 2.96) indicate the high sensitivity of black pepper to WD. In general, the spikes produced with at least 81 % of the crop water demand were larger and more numerous than those subjected to inferior treatments. WD occurring during the flowering stage severely hampers the size, weight, and quality of the spikes and grains of black pepper.(AU)

Growth of black pepper plantlets under different substrates and irrigation levels

Optimization of the use of water and the possibility of using residues as substrate in the black pepper production chain can yield economic and environmental benefits. The objective of this study was to evaluate the biometric and physiological traits of black pepper plantlets (Piper nigrum L.), cv. Bragantina, at different irrigation levels and soilless substrates. Plantlets were grown for 120 days on three substrates [biosolid + crushed coconut fiber (3:1, by volume); biosolid + granitic rock powder (3:1, by volume); and biosolid + crushed coconut fiber + granitic rock powder (2:1:1, by volume)] and at five irrigation levels [36 % (very low); 55 % (low); 85 % (moderate); 100 % (well-irrigated); and 126 % of the reference irrigation level (over-irrigated)]. The biometric traits evaluated increased as the irrigation levels increased, with the exception of root dry mass, which was not influenced by this factor, nor water use efficiency, which decreased as the irrigation levels increased. In general, plants grown with a mixture of the three wastes (biosolid + crushed coconut fiber + granitic rock powder) exhibited higher values for biometric variables and chlorophyll content when they were moderately, well or over-irrigated, in comparison with the other two substrates. It was possible to achieve the plantlet commercial standard using this three waste mixture and the moderate irrigation level.(AU)

Growth of black pepper plantlets under different substrates and irrigation levels

Optimization of the use of water and the possibility of using residues as substrate in the black pepper production chain can yield economic and environmental benefits. The objective of this study was to evaluate the biometric and physiological traits of black pepper plantlets (Piper nigrum L.), cv. Bragantina, at different irrigation levels and soilless substrates. Plantlets were grown for 120 days on three substrates [biosolid + crushed coconut fiber (3:1, by volume); biosolid + granitic rock powder (3:1, by volume); and biosolid + crushed coconut fiber + granitic rock powder (2:1:1, by volume)] and at five irrigation levels [36 % (very low); 55 % (low); 85 % (moderate); 100 % (well-irrigated); and 126 % of the reference irrigation level (over-irrigated)]. The biometric traits evaluated increased as the irrigation levels increased, with the exception of root dry mass, which was not influenced by this factor, nor water use efficiency, which decreased as the irrigation levels increased. In general, plants grown with a mixture of the three wastes (biosolid + crushed coconut fiber + granitic rock powder) exhibited higher values for biometric variables and chlorophyll content when they were moderately, well or over-irrigated, in comparison with the other two substrates. It was possible to achieve the plantlet commercial standard using this three waste mixture and the moderate irrigation level.

Trichoderma harzianum MTCC 5179 impacts the population and functional dynamics of microbial community in the rhizosphere of black pepper (Piper nigrum L. )

Employing Illumina Hiseq whole genome metagenome sequencing approach, we studied the impact of Trichoderma harzianum on altering the microbial community and its functional dynamics in the rhizhosphere soil of black pepper (Piper nigrum L.). The metagenomic datasets from the rhizosphere with (treatment) and without (control) T. harzianum inoculation were annotated using dual approach, i.e., stand alone and MG-RAST. The probiotic application of T. harzianum in the rhizhosphere soil of black pepper impacted the population dynamics of rhizosphere bacteria, archae, eukaryote as reflected through the selective recruitment of bacteria [Acidobacteriaceae bacterium (p = 1.24e-12), Candidatus koribacter versatilis (p = 2.66e-10)] and fungi [(Fusarium oxysporum (p = 0.013), Talaromyces stipitatus (p = 0.219) and Pestalotiopsis fici (p = 0.443)] in terms of abundance in population and bacterial chemotaxis (p = 0.012), iron metabolism (p = 2.97e-5) with the reduction in abundance for pathogenicity islands (p = 7.30e-3), phages and prophages (p = 7.30e-3) with regard to functional abundance. Interestingly, it was found that the enriched functional metagenomic signatures on phytoremediation such as benzoate transport and degradation (p = 2.34e-4), and degradation of heterocyclic aromatic compounds (p = 3.59e-13) in the treatment influenced the rhizosphere micro ecosystem favoring growth and health of pepper plant. The population dynamics and functional richness of rhizosphere ecosystem in black pepper influenced by the treatment with T. harzianum provides the ecological importance of T. harzianum in the cultivation of black pepper.(AU)

Black pepper (Piper nigrum) in diets for laying hens on performance, egg quality and blood biochemical parameters / Pimenta do reino (Piper nigrum) na dieta de poedeiras leves sobre o desempenho, qualidade do ovo e análise bioquímica sanguínea

The objective of this study was to evaluate the increasing levels (0, 0.1, 0.2, 0.3, 0.4, 0.5 and 0.6%) of black pepper in diets for laying hens on performance, egg quality and blood biochemical parameters. Hissex White hens (n=168) at 30 weeks of age were used. The experimental method was completely randomized with seven treatments with four replicates of six birds each. Estimates of black pepper levels were determined by polynomial regression. The performance showed no significant differences (p > 0.05). The eggshell percentage was significantly influenced (p 0.05), in which the level of 0.30% inclusion impaired eggshell quality. Triglycerides level increased significantly (p 0.05), according to increasing levels of black pepper in the diet. It can be concluded that black pepper can be used in diets for laying hens as phytogenic additive without harming the performance. However, this inclusion causes a reduction in eggshell percentage and an increase in the level of triglycerides in the bloodstream.

Objetivou-se com este trabalho avaliar a inclusão de níveis crescentes (0; 0,1; 0,2; 0,3; 0,4; 0,5 e 0,6%) de pimenta do reino na dieta de poedeiras comercias leves sobre o desempenho, a qualidade do ovo e os parâmetros bioquímicos sanguíneos. Foram utilizadas 168 poedeiras da linhagem Hissex White com 30 semanas de idade. O delineamento experimental foi o inteiramente casualizado com sete tratamentos contendo quatro repetições de seis aves cada. As estimativas dos níveis de pimenta do reino foram determinadas por meio de regressão polinomial. As variáveis de desempenho produtivo não apresentaram diferenças significativas (p > 0,05). A percentagem de casca foi influenciada significativamente (p 0,05) onde o nível de 0,30% de inclusão de pimenta do reino piorou a qualidade da casca dos ovos. A concentração de triglicerídeos apresentou diferenças significativas (p 0,05) onde a inclusão de pimenta do reino ocasionou aumento crescente da concentração de triglicerídeos no sangue das aves. Concluiu-se que a pimenta do reino em dietas para poedeiras leves pode ser utilizada como aditivo fitogênico sem ocasionar alterações no desempenho produtivo. Todavia, com o advento desta inclusão, a pimenta do reino apresenta redução do percentual de casca do ovo e incremento na concentração de triglicerídeos na corrente sanguínea.

Black pepper (Piper nigrum) in diets for laying hens on performance, egg quality and blood biochemical parameters / Pimenta do reino (Piper nigrum) na dieta de poedeiras leves sobre o desempenho, qualidade do ovo e análise bioquímica sanguínea

The objective of this study was to evaluate the increasing levels (0, 0.1, 0.2, 0.3, 0.4, 0.5 and 0.6%) of black pepper in diets for laying hens on performance, egg quality and blood biochemical parameters. Hissex White hens (n=168) at 30 weeks of age were used. The experimental method was completely randomized with seven treatments with four replicates of six birds each. Estimates of black pepper levels were determined by polynomial regression. The performance showed no significant differences (p > 0.05). The eggshell percentage was significantly influenced (p 0.05), in which the level of 0.30% inclusion impaired eggshell quality. Triglycerides level increased significantly (p 0.05), according to increasing levels of black pepper in the diet. It can be concluded that black pepper can be used in diets for laying hens as phytogenic additive without harming the performance. However, this inclusion causes a reduction in eggshell percentage and an increase in the level of triglycerides in the bloodstream.(AU)

Objetivou-se com este trabalho avaliar a inclusão de níveis crescentes (0; 0,1; 0,2; 0,3; 0,4; 0,5 e 0,6%) de pimenta do reino na dieta de poedeiras comercias leves sobre o desempenho, a qualidade do ovo e os parâmetros bioquímicos sanguíneos. Foram utilizadas 168 poedeiras da linhagem Hissex White com 30 semanas de idade. O delineamento experimental foi o inteiramente casualizado com sete tratamentos contendo quatro repetições de seis aves cada. As estimativas dos níveis de pimenta do reino foram determinadas por meio de regressão polinomial. As variáveis de desempenho produtivo não apresentaram diferenças significativas (p > 0,05). A percentagem de casca foi influenciada significativamente (p 0,05) onde o nível de 0,30% de inclusão de pimenta do reino piorou a qualidade da casca dos ovos. A concentração de triglicerídeos apresentou diferenças significativas (p 0,05) onde a inclusão de pimenta do reino ocasionou aumento crescente da concentração de triglicerídeos no sangue das aves. Concluiu-se que a pimenta do reino em dietas para poedeiras leves pode ser utilizada como aditivo fitogênico sem ocasionar alterações no desempenho produtivo. Todavia, com o advento desta inclusão, a pimenta do reino apresenta redução do percentual de casca do ovo e incremento na concentração de triglicerídeos na corrente sanguínea.(AU)