Spices and Condiments

Intercultivation

• During the first year, a thorough digging is given once during August- September and again in October-November around the standard and the vines to remove the weeds. Mulching is very essential where pepper is grown with minimum shade, to conserve moisture, using banana trash, dried grass and other substances.
  
• Cover crops like Calapogonium mucanoides can be sown during April-May and during October- November and they are cut and ploughed into the soil when they flower.
  
• Sawdust, areca husk and straw can also be used for mulching.
  
• Other operations like tying the vines to the standard, pruning the unwanted growth and the regulation of shade should be carried out as and when necessary.