Influence of drenching of vermiwash with different concentrations on growth of black pepper (Piper nigrum L.) in nursery stage

The trial was conducted at spices nursery of Regional Coconut Research Station, Bhatye, Ratnagiri during the year 2024-25 to assess the influence of drenching of vermiwash with different concentrations on growth of black pepper in nursery stage. The experiment was laid in RBD design with four replications and five treatments viz; T1: Control (No drenching with vermiwash), T2: Vermiwash (5 %), T3: Vermiwash (10 %), T4: Vermiwash (15 %) and T4: Vermiwash (20%). At the initial stage the length of the cuttings was in the range of 12.48 cm to 12.93 cm indicating the somewhat uniformity in the length. The drenching treatments were imposed then after indicating advantageous effect on the length. At 90 and 180 days after planting, the significantly highest cutting length (38.63 cm and 89.15 cm, respectively) was noted in the treatment T5 (Drenching of vermiwash 20%). The lowest cutting length (31.55 cm and 64.68 cm at 90 and 180 days after planting, respectively) was observed in control (T1). At 180 days after planting, the significantly maximum number of new sprouts produced per cuttings (11.61), highest number of leaves (12.80 per cutting) and maximum internodal length (5.03 cm) was found in vermiwash 20% treatment (T5). Whereas, least number of sprouts (7.58 per cutting), minimum number of leaf per cutting (9.53) and shortest internode (3.27 cm) were noticed in control (T1) treatment.