Morphological characterization and yield of pepper (Piper nigrum L.) types grown in Morogoro District, Tanzania
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Date
2021
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
CABI Agriculture and Bioscience
Abstract
Background: Pepper (Piper nigrum L.) is among key spice crops grown in Morogoro district of Tanzania. Most of the
pepper types grown in the district are only known by their local names as Babu kubwa, Babu ndogo, Babu kati and
Ismailia. This may limit information on germplasm collection or genetic resource for plant improvement and trade in
markets with variety specifications. The aim of this study was to generate preliminary information of the pepper types
based on their morphological characteristics for easy comparison with other known pepper varieties in the spices
industry.
Methods: The evaluation of pepper morphological characters was conducted following a randomized complete
block design with three replications and four treatments (pepper types). Observations were recorded with respect to
28 characters (9 qualitative and 19 quantitative) which entail vegetative (8) and reproductive (20) traits. The quantita-
tive data for vegetative, inflorescence and berry characters were subjected to analysis of variance. Mean separation
test was conducted using Turkey’s Honest Significance Test at (α = 0.05). Correlation and regression analyses were
performed to explore the relationship between yield and yield attributes of pepper.
Results: Babu kubwa and Babu ndogo pepper types were characterized by erect and horizontal branching habit,
whereas the others showed hanging habit. Babu kubwa had longer spikes (12.4 cm), leaves blade (17.9 cm), leaf
petiole (2.8 cm), wider leaves (12.9 cm) and larger berries (5.8 mm) than all other pepper types. Babu kubwa and Babu
kati had cordate and acute leaf bases, respectively while other types had round leaf base shapes. The highest number
of flowers was recorded on Babu kubwa (93.5) and Ismailia (90.7) with spikes weighing 7.6 g and 7.5 g, respectively
compared to other types. Babu ndogo and Ismailia had compact spikes, while other types had medium loose spikes.
Babu kati had the highest number of spikes kg −1 (282.6) due its lower spike weight compared to other types. The
highest weight of 100 fresh spikes (704.3 g) and 1000 fresh berries (164.2 g) was recorded on Ismailia. Spike length
was significantly positively correlated to yield (r = 0.23, R 2 = 0.08, p < 0.001). However, yield had a significant nega-
tive correlation with the number of spikes kg −1 (r = −0.85, R 2 = 0.017, p = 0.001) and fresh weight of 1000 berries
(r = −0.91, R 2 = 0.003, p = 0.04).
Conclusions: The pepper types grown in Morogoro district differed significantly based on most of the evalu-
ated traits. This information can be used to formulate methods and strategies for conservation and in turn genetic
improvement of the crop. Despite that the pepper types literary matched with characters of some well-known
commercial varieties, confirmation of genetic relatedness is yet needed. Further studies need to be conducted in consecutive years and involve assessment of internal quality attributes. Other studies should encompass wider range
of pepper types from other producing areas in Tanzania in order to establish their morphological distinctness, genetic
diversity and interrelationships in relation to the globally known commercial varieties.
Description
Keywords
Pepper, Germplasm, Descriptors, Morphology, Yield, Morogoro district