Title:	Optimizing irrigation strategies in black pepper (Piper nigrum L.) for enhanced productivity and essential oil yield.
Authors:	MARTINS, J. dos S. LIMA JUNIOR, J. A. de LEMOS, O. F. de GOMES, M. D. de A. SANTOS, H. C. A. GONÇALVES, M. A. de S. CAMPALLE, A. N. MARTINS, H. L. PARREIRA, M. C.
Affiliation:	JEFFERSON DOS SANTOS MARTINS, UNIVERSIDADE FEDERAL RURAL DA AMAZÔNIA; JOAQUIM ALVES DE LIMA JUNIOR, UNIVERSIDADE FEDERAL RURAL DA AMAZÔNIA; ORIEL FILGUEIRA DE LEMOS, CPATU; MARYJANE DINIZ DE ARAÚJO GOMES, INSTITUTO FEDERAL DO SERTÃO PERNAMBUCANO; HELANE CRISTINA AGUIAR SANTOS, UNIVERSIDADE FEDERAL RURAL DA AMAZÔNIA; MARCOS AUGUSTO DE SOUZA GONÇALVES, UNIVERSIDADE FEDERAL RURAL DA AMAZÔNIA; ARTHUR NARDI CAMPALLE, UNIVERSIDADE ESTADUAL PAULISTA "JÚLIO DE MESQUITA FILHO"; HEYTOR LEMOS MARTINS, UNIVERSIDADE ESTADUAL PAULISTA "JÚLIO DE MESQUITA FILHO"; MARIANA CASARI PARREIRA, UNIVERSIDADE DOS AÇORES.
Date Issued:	2026
Citation:	Horticulturae, v. 12, n. 1, p. 113, 2026.
Description:	Black pepper (Piper nigrum L.) is an important crop in Pará, Brazil; however, irrigation management remains one of the main constraints to achieving stable productivity and high essential oil yield. By determining soil water tension for rational irrigation management that ensures high agronomic performance of black pepper, it is possible to optimize irrigation water use efficiency through monitoring critical soil moisture with the aid of tensiometers. This study evaluated yield, water use efficiency (WUE) and essential oil yield of two black pepper genotypes under five soil water tensions (15–55 kPa) using a split-plot experimental design. The Uthirankotta genotype showed higher yield and WUE, reaching maximum values at 35 kPa, whereas the highest essential oil extraction yield occurred at 15 kPa. Positive correlations were observed between essential oil yield and the main productive traits. Therefore, cultivation of the Uthirankotta genotype under tensiometer-based irrigation management is recommended under the edaphoclimatic conditions of Pará, using a critical tension of 35 kPa as a reference to increase productivity and optimize irrigation water use efficiency, considering the differential genotype response to irrigation management under humid tropical conditions.
Thesagro:	Pimenta do Reino Piper Nigrum Irrigação Produtividade Óleo Essencial
ISSN:	2311-7524.
DOI:	https://doi.org/10.3390/horticulturae12010113
Type of Material:	Artigo de periódico
Access:	openAccess
Appears in Collections:	Artigo em periódico indexado (CPATU)