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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 тАФ first bearing in year 3, full bearing by year 7тАУ8, productive for 20тАУ30 years
Expected yieldHigh, late-maturing, with good spike length
Suitable soilWell-drained forest loam / laterite, humus-rich, acidic pH 4.5тАУ6.0

Quick facts

Crop
Black Pepper (Kali Mirch)
Type
Clonal selection (rooted cuttings)
Season
All seasons
Maturity period
Perennial тАФ first bearing in year 3, full bearing by year 7тАУ8, productive for 20тАУ30 years
Seed rate
Not a seed crop тАФ 2тАУ3 rooted cuttings per standard, about 3 ├Ч 3 m standards
Expected yield
High, late-maturing, with good spike length
Suitable soil
Well-drained forest loam / laterite, humus-rich, acidic pH 4.5тАУ6.0
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 тАФ first bearing in year 3, full bearing by year 7тАУ8, productive for 20тАУ30 years
    Yield potentialHigh, late-maturing, with good spike length
    Disease resistanceModerate
    SoilWell-drained forest loam / laterite, humus-rich, acidic pH 4.5тАУ6.0
    SeasonAll seasons

Sowing & cultivation

  • Sowing timePlant with the first monsoon showers, roughly MayтАУJune
  • Seed rateNot a seed crop тАФ 2тАУ3 rooted cuttings per standard, about 3 ├Ч 3 m standards
  • SpacingAbout 3 ├Ч 3 m standards in a dedicated garden
  • Sowing methodPlant 2тАУ3 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
  • Fertilizer5тАУ10 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 тАФ 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
4.5тАУ6.0

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 тАФ first bearing in year 3, full bearing by year 7тАУ8, productive for 20тАУ30 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 тАФ 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.