Contribution of spike and berry characters for yield in promising genotypes of black pepper (Piper nigrum L.)

Black pepper, the king of spices, is grown for its dry berries. Genetic variation and the relationship between yield and yield-linked characters in nine black pepper genotypes were studied. Highly significant differences for all the characters were found in the variance analysis. Maximum GCV and PCV were noted for spike length, dry berry yield and number of berries spike-1. High heritability and genetic advance over the mean exhibited by the genotypes for dry recovery and spike length indicate additive gene effect in the expression of these characters. Dry berry yield plant-1 had a very strong correlation with fresh berry yield plant-1 and dry recovery at both phenotypic and genotypic levels. During path analysis, fresh berry weight and dry recovery percentage showed a high positive direct and indirect effect on dry berry weight. Genotype PRS 161 was found superior in morphological, yield and yield-related characters, followed by SV11 among the different genotypes studied. Fresh berry yield per plant and dry recovery percentage are the most critical factors for enhancing dry yield in black pepper genotypes, while the number of berries per spike plays a significant indirect role.