Prevention of photo-induced chlorophyll loss by the use of lime reflectant on the leaves of black pepper ( Piper nigrum L.)

• Published in: Agricultural and forest meteorology Vol. 34; no. 1; pp. 17 - 20
• Main Authors: Vijayakumar, K.R., Unni, P.N., Vamadevan, V.K.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Amsterdam Elsevier B.V 1985; Oxford Elsevier; New York, NY
• Subjects: Agricultural and forest climatology and meteorology. Irrigation. Drainage; Agricultural and forest meteorology; Agronomy. Soil science and plant productions; Biological and medical sciences; Crop climate. Energy and radiation balances; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; General agronomy. Plant production; Phytopathology. Animal pests. Plant and forest protection; Weather damages. Fires; Chlorophyll; Vegetals; Piperaceae; Tropical crop; Plant leaf; India; Lime; Asia; Dicotyledones; Piper nigrum; Angiospermae; Pigments; Flavoring crop; Spermatophyta; Solar radiation; Protection; Reflecting surface
• ISSN: 0168-1923; 1873-2240
• DOI: 10.1016/0168-1923(85)90050-4

A study was conducted to evaluate the adverse effect of direct solar radiation on irrigated pepper ( Piper nigrum L.) vines and to determine whether lime could be applied as a reflectant to protect the exposed plants. It was found that even with favourable soil moisture conditions the leaves of the exposed plants developed the symptoms of the physiological disorder of leaf yellowing leading to the formation of necrotic patches. Leaves of the shaded plants remained dark green and healthy. Chlorophyll concentration in the exposed leaves was 44% less compared with the shaded leaves. However, the presence of lime coating on the surface of the exposed leaves resulted in the presence of 39% more chlorophyll content. A concept of Contact Shade Technology (CST) is suggested where reflectants can be used to artificially shade the shade-loving crop plants.