Introduction:

In Sarawak, black pepper farm area has been expanding rapidly from the year 2010 to 2016 with a total area 20,000 ha planted. The crop is planted at soil with low fertility such as in Bintulu, Serian, Sri Aman and Sibu farms and dominantly infected by Phytophthora capsici that cause poor plant growth and berry production (Prabhakaran Nair, 2004).  According to Malaysian Pepper Board, these problems currently can be controlled by NPK fertilization and copper fungicides and it has been adopted by pepper farmers (Ann, 2012).NPK fertilization has been conducted and ultimately the recommended dosage was made available to the farmers.  However, research on micronutrients such as copper (Cu), zinc (Zn), and boron (B), application and its contribution toward pepper growth and as well for disease control is unexplored. It has been reported that sufficient application Cu and B in Eucalyptus marginata and beans has helped to suppress P. cinnamomiattacked and Fusarium solani, respectively (Bivi et al., 2016). Supplementation of some of micronutrient with NPK fertilizer is widely marketable such as NPK + TEs, NPK + B, and NPK + coated Cu (Srinivasan et al., 2007; Peter et al., 2000). Perhaps results from this research study could help to achieve a nearly prevention step in controlling P. Capsici infection in black pepper growth thusboosting the berries production. This project was funded by UPM under the GP-IBP/2018/9557605

Publication

Journal

1. H. Izzah and W.Y. Wan Asrina (2019). Agricultural Reviews 40(4):296-302
   
   Black Pepper in Malaysia: An overview and future Prospect
   
   Cultivating black pepper in Malaysia started in early 10th to the 11th century when the South Indian Kings began to extend their empire. The crop was brought to East Malaysia in 1840 by Chinese settlers, actively planted until it was hit by the massive flood, fluctuation of the price and outbreak of foot rot. High yielding cultivars such as Kuching, SemenggokEmas and Semenggok Aman provided promise for better production, but resulted in increased soil degradation and reduced crop growth in Sarawak. The paper aims to discuss the black pepper industry in Sarawak and present scenario of its cultivation including future prospects. Cultivating on hilly topography with coarse textured dominant soil becomes one of the limiting factors. This factor is observed due to high rainfall intensity and steeper slopes. Neglected soil conservation also affects crop production and lead to a lower return on investments. Technologies such as land conservation and practising precision agriculture need to be adopted to reduce the impact of soil degradation and better production.
   
   
   

For more further enquiries:

Dr. Wan Asrina Binti Wan Yahaya
Senior Lecturer
Department of Crop Science
Faculty of Agricultural Science and Forestry
Tel: +6086 855397
Email: asrina@upm.edu.my

Updated:: 07/09/2020 [lanz]