Bush
Pepper Cultivation, or Dwarf Pepper Cultivation
Dr.N.K.MANOHARAN
This
is a new form of black pepper cultivation. Normally, pepper grows as a climbing
vine, so it requires support to grow. However, bush pepper grows as a shrub and
does not need support. Bush pepper plants are produced from the fruiting
branches of the regular pepper plant. When these branches are planted, they do
not grow as climbing vines but instead develop as bushy shrubs that bear fruit
without any supports.
This
method yields more harvest in a smaller area, making it suitable for small
spaces, terraces, kitchen gardens, or around the house. For bush pepper
cultivation, select healthy lateral branches about 30 to 45 cm long, free from
pests and diseases, and from high-yielding mother plants that are around one
year old. Branches with two or three nodes are ideal. Remove all leaves except
for the “flag leaf.” Bush pepper requires soil with good drainage and should be
planted in a location that receives ample sunlight.
Usually,
these plants are grown in polybags or pots. Before planting, it is good to dip
the base of the cut branch in a rooting hormone — aloe vera gel can also be
used as a natural alternative to help root formation quickly. The cut end of
the branch is dipped in the rooting hormone and then planted in polybags filled
with moist coir pith. You can plant three to five branches per bag. Tightly tie
the mouth of the bag to retain moisture, effectively creating a "humid
chamber." These bags should be kept in the shade and watered daily.
Roots
will develop within 30 to 50 days. Once rooted, open the bags and keep the
plants exposed for a day or two to harden them. After that, transfer them to
larger polybags or pots filled with a potting mix containing equal parts soil,
sand, and cow dung powder (or compost). Organic manure is preferred. For the
potting mix, you can use two parts soil, one part sand, and one part cow dung
powder or compost along with coir pith. Maintaining proper moisture is crucial,
especially in summer; make sure the soil does not dry out, but also avoid
waterlogging, as it can damage the roots.
Use
organic fertilizers whenever possible. Cow dung or compost and neem cake can be
applied twice a year. If using chemical fertilizers, NPK can be applied at a
ratio of 1:1:1 or 10:5:5, about 2 grams per pot, every two months. Neem oil
mixtures can be used to control pests and diseases. Most diseases that affect
regular pepper vines can also affect bush pepper, particularly root rot, which
is a serious threat. To prevent this, ensure good drainage, choose
disease-resistant varieties, and control moisture. Additionally, organic
pesticides like neem oil can help control pests. Avoid chemical pesticides as
much as possible.
Another
major disease affecting pepper plants is quick wilt. To control this, spray 1%
Bordeaux mixture and drench the base of the plants. Bush pepper grows best in
locations with ample sunlight. Heavy rainfall and drought can negatively impact
its growth. During excessive rains, ensure there is no waterlogging; to tackle
drought, drip irrigation is advisable.Varieties like Kuthiravally, Kalluvally
(Imperial), and traditional types like Karimunda and Kottanadan can also be
cultivated as bush pepper.These
varieties are loved by consumers for their unique aroma and taste. Srikara and
Shubhakara are high-yielding varieties that start producing within a relatively
short period.Similarly,
the Kerala Agricultural University-developed varieties Panniyur 1, Panniyur 2,
and Panniyur 3 are high-yielding and have good disease resistance.
However,
in general, all pepper varieties are suitable for bush pepper cultivation. Bush
pepper cultivation is very effective both for household use and for small-scale
commercial cultivation. Advantages of bush pepper cultivation It can be easily
grown in small spaces such as terraces, grow bags, pots, or sacks. Compared to
regular pepper vines, bush pepper starts fruiting much faster, sometimes within
one year of planting. With proper care, you can harvest throughout the year. As
it doesn't need support, maintenance is easier, and harvesting is more
convenient. Grafted saplings have higher resistance to pests and diseases,
increasing overall plant health.
It’s
not enough just to produce; you should also be able to sell it at a good price.
You can market directly to local markets, online platforms, or form collectives
with other farmers for better reach. Bush pepper cultivation can generate good
income even from small spaces. Compared to regular pepper, bush pepper requires
less maintenance and is easier to harvest. If properly cultivated, it can
significantly improve a farmer’s financial condition. Bush pepper cultivation
is certainly profitable, and for clear reasons:
It
produces higher yields in limited spaces, unlike regular pepper vines that need
large areas and supports. Bush pepper grows as a bush and doesn’t require much
space. It can even be grown around the house, on terraces, in polybags, or in
pots, which is a big advantage for those with limited space. Higher yield from
smaller space naturally means higher profits. Compared to regular pepper vines,
bush pepper plants are much easier to maintain. No need for support poles, and
harvesting is easier since the plant height is low and the pepper can be picked
by hand.
This
reduces labour costs significantly. While regular pepper vines may take 3 to 4
years to yield, bush pepper plants can start producing in about 1.5 to 2 years.
This allows farmers to recover their investment faster. Pepper always has high
market demand for culinary and medicinal uses, so selling it is usually not a
problem. Urban terrace gardening is becoming very popular now, and bush pepper
is one of the best crops for this. It opens up new marketing opportunities —
for example, selling fresh pepper directly from home. Fresh bush pepper often
fetches a better price than dried pepper, especially when sold directly.
However,
as with any crop, bush pepper cultivation also has potential risks Many
diseases affecting regular pepper, such as quick wilt, rot, and root rot, can
also affect bush pepper, potentially leading to significant crop losses. The
solution is to select disease-resistant varieties, ensure good drainage, use
organic pest and disease management, and promptly remove infected plants. Good
drainage is crucial; waterlogging can cause root rot and kill the plant. To
prevent this, pay attention to soil selection, ensure proper drainage holes in
polybags and pots, and avoid overwatering.
Extreme
cold, excessive heat, drought, and continuous rain can also adversely affect
bush pepper plants. Using protective measures such as greenhouses or rain
shelters can help protect plants from weather fluctuations. Adopting modern
irrigation methods such as drip irrigation helps manage drought. When
cultivating on a larger scale, initial costs can be higher — for polybags,
fertilizers, pesticides, and small sheds. This can be reduced by sourcing
planting materials from reliable nurseries at lower costs, or by producing your
own planting materials.
If
products are not sold at good prices, profits can decrease. Local market price
fluctuations can be an issue. To tackle this, try selling directly to
consumers, or as value-added products like pepper powder or ornamental pepper,
to fetch better prices.
You
can also market in collaboration with local farmer groups. Lack of technical
knowledge can reduce yield and cause losses. To avoid this, consult the
agricultural department, get training from agricultural universities or
experts, and interact with other bush pepper farmers. In short, bush pepper
cultivation, when done with proper planning and care, is a highly profitable
venture.
https://youtu.be/Pim2oLAX2bk?si=l80nCj_zCjzGQr9K
