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Black Pepper (Kali Mirch)All seasonsClonal selection (rooted cuttings)Updated 28 August 2026

Panchami

An ICAR-IISR selection from the Aimpiriyan cultivar, high-yielding and late-maturing with good spike length; suited to the plains and midlands.

SeasonAll seasons
Maturity periodPerennial — first bearing in year 3, full bearing by year 7–8, productive for 20–30 years
Expected yieldHigh, late-maturing, with good spike length
Suitable soilWell-drained forest loam / laterite, humus-rich, acidic pH 4.5–6.0

Quick facts

Crop
Black Pepper (Kali Mirch)
Type
Clonal selection (rooted cuttings)
Season
All seasons
Maturity period
Perennial — first bearing in year 3, full bearing by year 7–8, productive for 20–30 years
Seed rate
Not a seed crop — 2–3 rooted cuttings per standard, about 3 × 3 m standards
Expected yield
High, late-maturing, with good spike length
Suitable soil
Well-drained forest loam / laterite, humus-rich, acidic pH 4.5–6.0
Release
Released by ICAR-IISR, Kozhikode, as a selection from the Aimpiriyan cultivar

About this variety

Panchami is a clonal selection from the Aimpiriyan cultivar, released by ICAR-Indian Institute of Spices Research, Kozhikode. It is a high-yielding, late-maturing variety with a good spike length, suited to the plains and midlands of Kerala.

Key characteristics

    Plant typeClonal selection (rooted cuttings)
    MaturityPerennial — first bearing in year 3, full bearing by year 7–8, productive for 20–30 years
    Yield potentialHigh, late-maturing, with good spike length
    Disease resistanceModerate
    SoilWell-drained forest loam / laterite, humus-rich, acidic pH 4.5–6.0
    SeasonAll seasons

Sowing & cultivation

  • Sowing timePlant with the first monsoon showers, roughly May–June
  • Seed rateNot a seed crop — 2–3 rooted cuttings per standard, about 3 × 3 m standards
  • SpacingAbout 3 × 3 m standards in a dedicated garden
  • Sowing methodPlant 2–3 rooted cuttings on the northern side of the standard, mulch, and tie in every flush
  • IrrigationWater young vines through their first dry seasons; summer irrigation of bearing vines where available
  • Fertilizer5–10 kg farmyard manure per vine with a pre-monsoon mulch, plus an adult NPK dose of about 50:50:150 g per vine per year in two splits
  • HarvestingLate-maturing — its harvest rounds run a little later than the early varieties; hand-pick spikes as one or two berries per spike colour up

Soil & climate

Soil

Suitable soil
Well-drained forest loam or laterite in the Kerala plains and midlands
pH
4.5–6.0

Climate

Climate
Suited to the plains and midlands; its late maturity spreads the harvest but also extends exposure to late-season pests and rain

Yield & maturity

Maturity period

Perennial — first bearing in year 3, full bearing by year 7–8, productive for 20–30 years

Expected yield

High, late-maturing, with good spike length

Actual yield depends on sowing time, soil, irrigation, weather, seed quality and crop management.

Pest & disease considerations

Management notes

  • Standard foot-rot prevention and shade regulation
  • Plan for a later harvest window than the early varieties

Advantages & considerations

Why farmers may choose it

  • High yield with a good spike length
  • Late maturity can spread the harvest and labour load
  • A recognised ICAR-IISR selection

Things to consider

  • Late maturity extends the crop's exposure to late-season rain and pests
  • No special disease resistance — the standard preventive package still applies

Suitable regions

Plains and midland pepper plantations

  • Kerala

Frequently asked questions

What is the advantage of a late-maturing pepper like Panchami?

A later harvest window can spread the picking and labour load, especially where a grower also has early varieties, and it can catch a better market if early-season prices are weak. The trade-off is a longer exposure to late-season rain and pests, so the disease and pest programme has to run for longer.

Sourced from: ICAR-Indian Institute of Spices Research (IISR), Kozhikode, Spices Board India. editorial policy.