PIPER LONGUM LINN. FAMILY - PIPERACEAE
Pippal is glabrous under-shrub with erect or sub-scandent nodose stem and slender
branches. Leaves are simple, alternate, stipulate and petiolate or nearly sessile.
Flowering is nearly through the year; inflorescence is spike; fruit greyish green or
darker grey berries.
COMMON NAMES: Peppali, Pipli, Pipal.
DISTRIBUTION:
It is a native of Indo-Malayan region. It grows wild in the tropical rain forests of
India.
PART USED: Roots and dried spikes.
CULTIVATION:
SOIL AND CLIMATE
Long pepper can be cultivated successfully in organic matter rich fertile, well drained
forest soils. Laterite soils with high organic matter content and moisture holding
capacity are also suitable for cultivation. Optimum elevation for its cultivation is
between 100 to 1000 m. Higher elevations are not conducive to high yields. It needs
partial shade for its ideal growth. Partial shade 20-25 percent shade intensity is
found to be the optimum.
LAND PREPARATION
The area should be ploughed two to three times and levelled properly. Raised beds of
size 3m x2.5 m are prepared and pits are dug at a distance of 60 cm x 60 cm and
dried cow dung or farm yard manure at the rates of 100 g per pit is applied and
mixed with soil. Two rooted cuttings or suckers with roots are planted in each pit. To
avoid any water stagnation in beds, channels are laid out to drain excess rain water.
NURSERY RAISING AND PLANTING
It is propagated by suckers or rooted vine cuttings. Vine cuttings and suckers are
transplanted soon after the setting in of monsoon rains. The best time for raising
nursery is during March and April to avoid mealy-bug attack on roots, 10 percent DP
is to be mixed with the potting mixture. Normal irrigation may be given on alternate
days. Excess moisture in the nursery can cause Phytophthora wilt. By the end of
May, the cuttings will be ready for planting.
THINNING AND WEEDING
In first year regular weeding should be done and as when the weed growth is noticed
in beds.
MANURES AND FERTILISERS
Long pepper needs heavy manuring. In soils with low fertility, the growth of the
plant is very poor. Twenty tonnes of cow-dung or farm yard manure is required for 1
ha. of land. Since the crop will give economic yield for 3 years, the manuring has to
be done each year. During the first year organic manure can be applied in pits at the
time of field planting. In subsequent years, manuring is done by spreading it in beds
and covering with soil. Application of organic manure increases the water holding
capacity of the beds.
IRRIGATION
Irrigation once in a week is necessary as an intercrop and if the main crop is
irrigated no additional irrigation is necessary for Piper longum. When the crop is
not irrigated, it is necessary to give a mulch with dry leaves or straw during summer
months. If the crop is irrigated during summer, it continues to produce spikes and
off-season produce will be available.
HARVESTING/POST HARVESTING OPERATION
The vines start bearing spikes six months after planting. The spikes thus will be
ready for harvest after two months since formation of spikes. When the spikes are
full grown but hey unripe, they are gathered. If left without picking, they ripe and
their pungency is lost to a great extent.
Harvested spikes are repeatedly exposed in the sun for 4 to 5 days until they are
perfectly dry. The green spike to dry spike ratio is around 10:1.5. The dried spikes
have to be stored in moisture proof containers. Thicker parts of lower stems/roots
are cut and dried for producing Piplamool. There are three grades of Piplamool.
The grade I with thick roots and underground stem fetching higher price than grade
II and or III which comprises either their roots, stem or broken fragments.
YIELD
The yield of dry spike during first year is around 400/kg/ha., it increases up to 1000
kg/ha in the third year. After third year, the vines become less productive and should
be replanted.
Reference
