Effect of manganese on mineral nutrition and growth of black pepper (Piper nigrum, L.)

Abstract

Black pepper (Piper nigrum, L.) is usually grown in soils of low natural fertility and high acidity. Under such conditions manganese can cause toxicity to plants. An experiment using young plants of the cultivar Guajarina grown in nutrient solution was carried out in order to verify the effects of rates of manganese on this crop. The manganese was supplied at the concentrations of 0, 10, 20, 30, 40 and 50 mg/L. Excess of manganese (30 mg/L) in the nutrient solution caused a reduction in growth and in the uptake of P, K, Ca, Mg, Cu, Fe and Zn. Toxicity symptoms were chlorosis and necrotic dots in the leaves, when the level of supply was 20 mg/L or higher.