Effects of black pepper-groundnut intercropping on soil total nitrogen and the physiological characteristics of black pepper (Piper nigrum L.)

Kevin Muyang Tawie Sulok, . and Chen, Yi Shang and Augustine Joseph Bunchol, . and Angela Tida Henry Ganie, . and Kho, Pei Ee and Wong, Chin Mee and Douglas Bungan Ambun, . and Zehnder Jarroop Augustine Mercer, . (2024) Effects of black pepper-groundnut intercropping on soil total nitrogen and the physiological characteristics of black pepper (Piper nigrum L.). Journal of Tropical Plant Physiology (JTPP) (Malaysia), 16. pp. 9-17. ISSN 1985-0484

The utilisation of leguminous groundnut (Arachis hypogaea) has been recognised for its advantageouseffects, including nitrogen (N) fixation, which consequently enhances the soil N availability. The objectiveof this study was to analyse the impact of a mixed intercropping system involving pepper (Piper nigrum)and groundnut on soil total N. Additionally, the study aimed to assess the influence of N on variousparameters, including the Normalised Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI), chlorophyll content, and gasexchange rate of black pepper. The study employed a randomized complete block design in a fieldexperiment, with two treatments that were reproduced 15 times. The treatments consisted of the controlgroup (M0), which involved a pepper plot without groundnut intercropping, and the mixed intercroppingsystem (M1), which involved a pepper plot with groundnut intercropping. The soil total N content exhibiteda statistically significant increase (p < 0.05) in the context of a mixed intercropping system. Theintercropping treatment resulted in considerably higher values (p < 0.05) for pepper NDVI, foliarchlorophyll concentration, photosynthetic rates (A), stomatal conductance (gs), and transpiration (E)compared to the control treatment. Moreover, a positive correlation has been seen between the chlorophyllcontent of pepper leaves and the total N content in the soil. Similarly, a positive association has beenestablished between the A of pepper plants and the total N content in the soil. As a result, the observedelevation in A under high N circumstances was ascribed to an augmentation in chlorophyll concentration.Consequently, the integration of groundnut within pepper cultivation systems over an extended period hasthe potential to enhance crop productivity through the amelioration of soil conditions.

Full text available from: Official URL: https://www.jtpp.org.my/volume/16_1/vol16_1_articl...

Abstract

The utilisation of leguminous groundnut (Arachis hypogaea) has been recognised for its advantageouseffects, including nitrogen (N) fixation, which consequently enhances the soil N availability. The objectiveof this study was to analyse the impact of a mixed intercropping system involving pepper (Piper nigrum)and groundnut on soil total N. Additionally, the study aimed to assess the influence of N on variousparameters, including the Normalised Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI), chlorophyll content, and gasexchange rate of black pepper. The study employed a randomized complete block design in a fieldexperiment, with two treatments that were reproduced 15 times. The treatments consisted of the controlgroup (M0), which involved a pepper plot without groundnut intercropping, and the mixed intercroppingsystem (M1), which involved a pepper plot with groundnut intercropping. The soil total N content exhibiteda statistically significant increase (p < 0.05) in the context of a mixed intercropping system. Theintercropping treatment resulted in considerably higher values (p < 0.05) for pepper NDVI, foliarchlorophyll concentration, photosynthetic rates (A), stomatal conductance (gs), and transpiration (E)compared to the control treatment. Moreover, a positive correlation has been seen between the chlorophyllcontent of pepper leaves and the total N content in the soil. Similarly, a positive association has beenestablished between the A of pepper plants and the total N content in the soil. As a result, the observedelevation in A under high N circumstances was ascribed to an augmentation in chlorophyll concentration.Consequently, the integration of groundnut within pepper cultivation systems over an extended period hasthe potential to enhance crop productivity through the amelioration of soil conditions.

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Item Type:	Article
AGROVOC Term:	pepper
AGROVOC Term:	Piper nigrum
AGROVOC Term:	groundnuts
AGROVOC Term:	intercropping
AGROVOC Term:	experimentation
AGROVOC Term:	soil sampling
AGROVOC Term:	statistical methods
AGROVOC Term:	nitrogen
AGROVOC Term:	productivity
Geographical Term:	Malaysia
Depositing User:	Ms. Azariah Hashim
Date Deposited:	11 Feb 2026 03:09
Last Modified:	11 Feb 2026 03:09
URI:	http://webagris.upm.edu.my/id/eprint/3183

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