Growth of Terna Long Pepper (Piper retroractum Vahl.) with Various Techniques of Fertilizer Application

Abstract

Fruits of long pepper (Piper retroractum Vahl.) [Rerofracti fructus] can be used as a traditional medicine (inter alia to improve blood circulation, after birth treatment), herbal drink, and food spice. Long pepper belongs to family piperaceae and commonly grows as a climbing plant, but it can also grow as terna (short, non climbing) plant from plagiotropic-growth cuttings. Although the success of its technique in a large area is still questioned, terna plant can be cultivated in a household scale. This study was conducted to investigate different methods of fertilizer application. The experiment was conducted in June-December 2009 at IPB experimental station, Darmaga, Bogor. Completely randomized block design was used with single factor i.e. 3 methods of fertilizer application: (1) 500 mL manure liquid from 500 g manure dissolved in 600 mL water, (2) 10 g NPK plant-1 every month, and (3) 20 g NPK plant-1 every 2 month; 3 replications. A plagiotropic-growth cutting was planted in a mixture of soil, rice husk charcoal, and cow manure (3:1:1, v/v) in a 40 cm x 50 cm polybag. The result showed that at 12 weeks after planting, the application of manure liquid resulted in better plant performances compared to those of other methods