SOME OBSERVATIONS ON THE INOOENCE OF QUICK WILT IN THE GERMPLASM COLLECTION OF GENUS PIPER

Abstract

Root rot or quick wilt disease of black pepper caused by Phytopthora
palmivora is a seriousproblem faced bycultivators in Kerala. Systemic and
contact fungicides such as metalaxyl and Bordeaux mixture are notalways
effective in controlling the disease under field conditions. Therefore,
search for genes tolerant or resistant to the disease among the wild and
cultivated species in western ghat areas is given a high priority. During
1987-1989, over 400 collections of cultivated and wild Piper species have
been made. Outof theabove collections 233 surviving ones belong to Piper
nigrum and a few to the closely related other Piper species from the forest
areas in Kerala, Tamil Nadu and Kamataka. The collections were maintained
in pots and also under rapid multiplication in partial shade on sandy loam
soil in Vellanikkara, Trichur during 1989. Plant protection measures were
taken regularly, to prevent loss