Influence of Morphopedological Conditions on the Agronomic Characteristics of Black Pepper (Piper nigrum L.) in Azaguié, Guibéroua, and Niablé, Côte d'Ivoire

Abstract

The pepper plant is cultivated in tropical areas. Its fragrant, pungent berries make it a quality spice, considered the queen of spices, consumed worldwide. This study was initiated to assess the impact of morpho-pedological factors on the agronomic performance of black pepper in three localities (Azaguié, Guibéroua, Niablé) in Côte d'Ivoire. The present study, carried out in Azaguié, Guibéroua and Niablé, aimed to assess the morphopedological conditions of these localities in Côte d'Ivoire and to evaluate the agronomic parameters of pepper berries. To this end, chemical analyses were carried out on pepper berries and soil samples taken from the 0-60 cm stratum of four (4) soil pits opened in pepper plantations in each of the three localities. The results show that the soils in the study areas are generally Ferralsols with a silty clay-sandy texture on the surface and clay at depth in Azaguié and Guibéroua. At Niablé, the texture is silty on the surface and silty-clayey at depth. The hydrodynamic properties of the soils are characterised by high useful reserves in Azaguié (Ru= 169 mm) compared with Guibéroua (Ru= 139 mm) and Niablé (Ru= 142 mm). Soils are strongly acidic in Guibéroua (pH˂5), moderately to weakly acidic in Niablé (5.22<pH<5.6) and Azaguié (5.4<pH<6.5).  Organic matter content decreases with depth, and is higher overall at Azaguié, with an average value of 1.86%, compared with 1.69% at Niablé and 1.43% at Guibéroua. In terms of agronomic properties, the berries obtained in Azaguié had a high diameter (5.37 mm) and piperine content (6.42g/100g), while water (11.69%) and ash (3.59%) contents were low. At Guibéroua and Niablé, grain diameters (4.16 mm and 4.33 mm) and piperine (4.61 and 4.76g/100g) and ash (4.37%) contents are similar. Grain moisture content was 13.49% at Niablé and 12.47% at Guibéroua. These values comply with black pepper quality standards. These three localities, therefore, offer conditions conducive to the production of good-quality black pepper. In conclusion, the study found that black pepper grown in three regions of Côte d'Ivoire adapts well to local soils and lower rainfall, producing berries that meet quality standards. Azaguié showed the highest piperine content, and only Niablé exceeded the moisture limit, indicating good potential for high-quality pepper production.