Polysulphate Black Pepper Trial in Vietnam

147

Yield Increase
Polysulphate applied to black pepper on acidic soil resulted in increased fruit weight, volume and density, and significantly reduced mealybug infestation.

Gia Lai province, Central Highlands, Vietnam
2017

Trail

147

Yield Increase

Key Conclusions

Polysulphate fertilizer has many benefits for black pepper, increasing yield by up to 147%, while also improving produce quality, and farm profit.

Objective

To evaluate the effectiveness of Polysulphate as a supplementary fertilizer on black pepper (Piper nigrum L.) performance, yield, quality, and economic efficiency under the conditions of the Central Highlands of Vietnam.

Trial Details

Trial station

Gia Lai province, Central Highlands, Vietnam

Product

Granular Polysulphate

Assessments

Yield and quality, vegetative growth, diagnostic leaves, and mealybug infestation

Treatments

The experiment was set according to a randomized complete block design (RCBD) with 4 replications, in a black pepper garden planted in 2012.

Polysulphate was combined with MOP (KCl) in equal proportions to provide doses of 120, 240 and 360 kg K2O/ha/yr, split into 6 applications throughout the year. These treatments were compared to doses of 0 (control), 120, and 270 (farmers’ practice) kg K2O/ha applied solely as MOP. Standard N and P fertilizers were applied in all treatments.

Pepper corn harvests took place in January 2016 and December 2017.

 

TreatmentKClPolysulphateTotal
kg K2O/ha
T1 farmers’ practice27000
T2 control000
T31200120
T46060120
T5120120240
T6180180360

Treatments

The experiment was set according to a randomized complete block design (RCBD) with 4 replications, in a black pepper garden planted in 2012.

Polysulphate was combined with MOP (KCl) in equal proportions to provide doses of 120, 240 and 360 kg K2O/ha/yr, split into 6 applications throughout the year. These treatments were compared to doses of 0 (control), 120, and 270 (farmers’ practice) kg K2O/ha applied solely as MOP. Standard N and P fertilizers were applied in all treatments.

Pepper corn harvests took place in January 2016 and December 2017.

 

TreatmentKClPolysulphateTotal
kg K2O/ha
T1 farmers’ practice27000
T2 control000
T31200120
T46060120
T5120120240
T6180180360

Results

  • Fruit weight, volume and density increased with Polysulphate application combined with MOP, while fruit shedding rates reduced.
  • Elongation of primary branches and number of secondary branches increased with Polysulphate application combined with MOP, while premature fruit abscission dramatically reduced.
  • The combined MOP and Polysulphate applications significantly reduced mealybug infestation.
  • Plants supplied with combined MOP and Polysulphate showed increased levels of leaf K, S, Ca, and Mg compared to the unfertilized control.
  • Combined MOP and Polysulphate applied at the doubled dose (240 kg K2O/ha) gave rise to the best crop performance and to the highest yield, produce quality, and profit.

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