SOUTHERN FERTILIZER FOR PEPPER PLANTS

1. General Introduction

– Origin: Black pepper (pepper plant), scientific name Piper nigrum, is a flowering vine. Pepper belongs to the family Piperaceae, mainly cultivated for its fruits and seeds, commonly used as a spice. Vietnam’s total pepper cultivation area is estimated at more than 74,000 ha, with an average yield of 2.2 tons/ha, ranking third in the world in cultivation area and among the highest-yielding countries. Southern provinces and the Central Highlands account for 52% of the area. Pepper provides high export value compared to many other crops.

– Agronomic characteristics and environmental requirements:

+ Optimal temperature for pepper is 25 – 27^oC.

+ Requires diffused light conditions.

+ Annual rainfall and humidity requirements are 1,500 – 2,500 mm and evenly distributed throughout the year.

– Pepper requires a relatively short dry period after harvest for flower bud differentiation and concentrated flowering at the beginning of the next rainy season.

– During flowering, high humidity is required, from 70 – 90%.

– Suitable soil pH ranges from 5.5 – 7.

– Pepper prefers conditions with light wind.

2. Pepper cultivation with Southern Fertilizer

2.1. Seed preparation, land and planting techniques

a. Seed preparation: There are 2 common propagation methods

– Propagation by stem cuttings:

+ From stem cuttings above the soil, new shoots grow from each node and quickly climb and cling to the pepper post, developing strongly upward.

+ Propagation from stems allows early fruit-bearing branches (fruiting after 2 years).

– Propagation from runners:

+ Shoots from runners are usually weak and do not produce fruiting branches immediately; fruiting begins 8 – 12 months after planting.

+ Tie the shoots to the post so that all nodes take root and cling firmly to the post, helping plants grow upward more easily and soon produce fruiting branches.

+ For pepper grown from runners, a technique called “lowering the shoots” is necessary to ensure fruiting branches are close to the ground and prevent bare lower stems.

Cuttings are prepared with 3-4 nodes each. The cut should be slightly diagonal, 3-4 cm from the node. Then treat with fungicide/chemicals for sterilization and to promote rooting. Plant 2-3 cuttings per pot/bag, bury 2 nodes and leave 2 nodes above the surface. Move to a shaded nursery with 30% light. When shoots reach 3-4 cm height, water with diluted SA (5‰) once per week. One month before planting, reduce shading to 70-80% light. Nursery period: 4.5 – 6 months (4 – 6 pairs of leaves).

Other propagation methods such as fruiting branch cuttings, seed propagation, grafting or layering exist but are not common.

b. Soil: Pepper is suitable for many soil and terrain conditions. Soil should meet the following requirements:

– Soil depth thicker than 70 cm.

– Groundwater level deeper than 2 m.

– Well-drained soil, no waterlogging.

– Loose soil, rich in organic matter, light to medium texture.

According to local farming experience, places where betel vine grows well are suitable for growing pepper.

c. Planting techniques:

– Planting season: Depending on region, commonly planted at the beginning of the rainy season.

– Planting density: Depends on the type of pepper post.

+ Concrete posts: high density, 1,800-2,000 posts/ha, spacing 2.2 x 2.5 m or 2 x 2.5 m.

+ Brick posts: square brick posts arranged at 1,600 posts/ha with 2.5 x 2.5 m spacing; round brick posts: 1,110 posts/ha with 3 x 3 m spacing.

+ Live posts (gliricidia, cherry, etc.): spacing 2.5 x 2.5 m, density 1,600 posts/ha. Black acacia trees: spacing 3 x 3 m, density 1,100 posts/ha.

Mixed planting: one row of live posts alternating with one row of concrete posts at 2.5 x 2.5 m spacing, density 1,600 posts/ha.

– Planting method:

+ Dig planting holes close to the temporary support post and away from the live post; hole edge 10 – 15 cm from temporary post, ensuring plant center 40 – 50 cm from the live post. Hole size: 60 x 60 x 60 cm. Separate topsoil and subsoil.

+ If planting from nursery bags, gently tear the bag to avoid damaging the root ball; tilt slightly toward the post, place level with ground surface, do not bury too deep. Fill soil and press firmly.

+ If planting using stem cuttings: use 5-node cuttings, position 45° to the soil surface, with tip facing the post; bury 3 nodes, leaving 2 nodes above ground; compact soil.

2.2. Fertilization

SFJC Bio-Gold G.A.P organic fertilizer is a product of Southern Fertilizer JSC, a clean fertilizer made from 100% plant-based materials, suitable for G.A.P cultivation. It contains 55% organic matter, naturally derived nitrogen, humic acid, fulvic acid, Trichoderma fungi, etc., helping create a stable soil ecosystem, enhance beneficial microorganisms, limit harmful fungi, reduce nutrient leaching, stimulate new root formation, improve root health, and slow soil degradation.

Supe Lan Long Thanh is produced by Southern Fertilizer JSC at Long Thanh Super Phosphate Plant. It contains 16% available phosphorus, 10% sulfur, 15% calcium and other essential nutrients, stimulating the formation of new plant tissues and promoting flower bud differentiation. Easily dissolved for quick plant absorption.

Southern Fertilizer NPK 19-11-7+6S+TE is a one-granule NPK product manufactured using rotary steam granulation, offering high nutrient content, uniform quality, fast dissolution and quick plant absorption. Contains N_ts: 19%; P₂O_5hh: 11%; K₂O_hh: 7% plus balanced micronutrients. It helps plants recover quickly after planting, promotes strong rooting and rapid shoot development, thickens foliage, and improves yield and crop quality.

Southern Fertilizer NPK 20-20-15+TE (single-color blended type). This product is manufactured on a rotary steam granulation line with high nutrient content, promoting quick shoot development, abundant fruiting branches, and strong plant growth.

Southern Fertilizer NPK 15-15-15+TE contains N_ts:15%; P₂O_5hh:15%; K₂O_hh:15% with balanced micronutrients. Provides balanced NPK nutrition, promoting flowering and fast fruit development.

Southern Fertilizer NPK 17-5-19+TE contains N_ts:17%; P₂O_5hh: 5%; K₂O_hh: 19% plus micronutrients, providing balanced nutrition and helping fruits grow larger, reducing fruit drop and promoting uniform ripening.

2.3 Care

– Water 7-10 days after planting from nursery bags, 2-3 days after planting from stem cuttings if no rain.

– Replant missing plants promptly; replanting must finish 1.5 – 2 months before the end of the rainy season.

– Provide shade and wind protection: Where live posts are still small and cannot provide shade, install temporary shading structures made from industrial netting or locally available materials.

– Weeding and mulching:

+ Regularly remove weeds by hand around the base to avoid damaging roots.

+ Use straw, crop residues, corn husks, green manure leaves… to mulch around the base, 10–15 cm away from the plant during dry season to retain moisture. Mulch amount: 5–10 kg/post.

– Tie vines to the posts and prune shoots

During the establishment stage, regularly tie vines to ensure roots cling well at each node.

During the productive stage: prune all runners, basal shoots growing low on the post — keep 10–15 cm above soil. Remove shoots growing outside canopy, overly long shoots at top of post, weak side-shoots, and thin shoots. Perform 2–3 times per rainy season. Do not use pruning tools from virus-infected plants (leaf curl disease) on healthy plants.

Mature pepper plants have three types of roots: Main roots (2-3 roots) grow deep, mainly absorb water, reaching up to 2 m depth. Lateral roots cluster at 15–40 cm soil depth, absorbing water and nutrients. Clinging roots primarily anchor the vine to the post, but their nutrient absorption is very limited.

In pepper gardens grown on dead posts without shade trees, shade trees must be planted. Gliricidia: 100–120 trees/ha; Siamese cassia: 80–100 trees/ha.

For large plantations > 1 ha, plant 1–2 rows of cassia trees at the wind-exposed edges of the field.

Where pepper is grown with live posts that already provide shade, prune and shape shade trees to grow straight up to 4–5 m height, with no horizontal branches.

3. Integrated pest & disease management

– Common pests: Mealybugs (Pseudococcus sp.); Lace bugs or Cross-shield bug (Elasmognathus nepalensis); Aphids (Toxoptera sp.); as well as other pests such as green leafhoppers (Order Homoptera), rice bugs (Leptocorisa actua), leaf-eating beetles (Anomala sp., Apogonia sp.). However, these pests are not very common with low damage levels.

– Common diseases: Mosaic & leaf curl (Pepper stunt disease); Slow-decline yellowing disease; Quick wilt disease (Phytophthora); Anthracnose; Web blight; Algal leaf spot, etc.

General principles of pest & disease control in pepper: Regular monitoring and timely treatment; Preventive measures; Use resistant and disease-free varieties; Good agricultural practices for pest reduction; Biological measures; Chemical control…

4. Harvesting

Before harvesting, weeds should be cleared to facilitate picking, and tarpaulins should be laid under posts to ease collection and prevent loss. Since pepper is grown on upright posts, ladders are usually required to harvest.

In the Central Highlands and Southeast regions, harvesting usually occurs in February or March, coinciding with cashew harvest season. After flowering and fruit set, pepper takes 8–10 months to ripen.

Harvesting technique is very important. Pepper is mainly hand-picked in 2–3 rounds per crop. Harvest clusters when fruits are ripe or mature. Do not pick young green clusters except at the final harvest phase. Early harvest leads to shriveled seeds and low quality.

Collected and compiled by

Lê Minh Giang & Danh Trí Tâm