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Article

Trade-Off Between Yield and Water-Use Efficiency in Piper nigrum

by
Helane C. A. Santos
1,
Joaquim A. L. Junior
2,
Olavo P. Silva
3,
Rafaela S. Guerino
2,
Mariele C. Alves
2,
Deiviane B. da Silva
4,
William L. C. de Aviz
5,
Maria do B. C. L. Medeiros
6,
Oriel F. Lemos
7,
João P. C. L. Both
7,
Luana M. Luz
2 and
Lucas C. Costa
8,*
1
Campus Belém, Universidade Federal Rural da Amazônia, Belém 66077-830, PA, Brazil
2
Campus Capanema, Universidade Federal Rural da Amazônia, Capanema 68700-000, PA, Brazil
3
Campus Botucatu, Universidade Estadual Paulista, Botucatu 18608-702, SP, Brazil
4
Agropalma S/A, Tailândia 68695-000, PA, Brazil
5
Acelen Renováveis, São Paulo 04794-000, SP, Brazil
6
Instituto Tecnológico Vale—ITV, Belém 66055-090, PA, Brazil
7
Embrapa Amazônia Oriental, Belém 66095-903, PA, Brazil
8
Campus Capitão Poço, Universidade Federal Rural da Amazônia, Capitão Poço 68650-000, PA, Brazil
*
Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Crops 2025, 5(4), 54; https://doi.org/10.3390/crops5040054
Submission received: 13 May 2025 / Revised: 24 July 2025 / Accepted: 28 July 2025 / Published: 12 August 2025
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Abstract

Water-use efficiency (WUE) plays a crucial role in sustainable crop production, particularly in water-limited environments where maximizing natural resource use is essential. This study evaluated the physiological and agronomic performance of two Piper nigrum cultivars, Clonada and Uthirankotta, grown under different soil water potential conditions. The trial was conducted in a 1930 m2 field using a randomized block design and drip irrigation system, calibrated to 3.55 L h−1 with a uniformity of 97%. Soil water availability was managed based on daily tensiometer readings at 20 and 30 cm depths, triggering irrigation at defined tensions (10–55 kPa). Clonada exhibited higher net CO2 assimilation rates (A) and stomatal conductance (gs), but these responses did not lead to higher yields. In contrast, Uthirankotta consistently maintained superior water-use efficiency and yield across all soil moisture conditions by favoring water conservation and targeted biomass allocation over maximized gas exchange. Both cultivars performed optimally at a soil water potential range of 25–35 kPa, with declines in yield and gas exchange parameters at higher tensions (45–55 kPa). Under such conditions, Uthirankotta was 51.3% more water-use efficient and 40.8% more productive than Clonada. Based on this, a Principal Component Analysis (PCA) further demonstrated distinct physiological profiles, underscoring trade-offs between yield and water-use strategies. These results highlight the significance of cultivar selection for optimizing WUE and provide valuable insights into irrigation management and breeding programs aimed at boosting black pepper performance under water-limited conditions.
Keywords: black pepper; physiological parameters; soil water potential; cultivar selection; yield black pepper; physiological parameters; soil water potential; cultivar selection; yield

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MDPI and ACS Style

Santos, H.C.A.; Junior, J.A.L.; Silva, O.P.; Guerino, R.S.; Alves, M.C.; da Silva, D.B.; de Aviz, W.L.C.; Medeiros, M.d.B.C.L.; Lemos, O.F.; Both, J.P.C.L.; et al. Trade-Off Between Yield and Water-Use Efficiency in Piper nigrum. Crops 2025, 5, 54. https://doi.org/10.3390/crops5040054

AMA Style

Santos HCA, Junior JAL, Silva OP, Guerino RS, Alves MC, da Silva DB, de Aviz WLC, Medeiros MdBCL, Lemos OF, Both JPCL, et al. Trade-Off Between Yield and Water-Use Efficiency in Piper nigrum. Crops. 2025; 5(4):54. https://doi.org/10.3390/crops5040054

Chicago/Turabian Style

Santos, Helane C. A., Joaquim A. L. Junior, Olavo P. Silva, Rafaela S. Guerino, Mariele C. Alves, Deiviane B. da Silva, William L. C. de Aviz, Maria do B. C. L. Medeiros, Oriel F. Lemos, João P. C. L. Both, and et al. 2025. "Trade-Off Between Yield and Water-Use Efficiency in Piper nigrum" Crops 5, no. 4: 54. https://doi.org/10.3390/crops5040054

APA Style

Santos, H. C. A., Junior, J. A. L., Silva, O. P., Guerino, R. S., Alves, M. C., da Silva, D. B., de Aviz, W. L. C., Medeiros, M. d. B. C. L., Lemos, O. F., Both, J. P. C. L., Luz, L. M., & Costa, L. C. (2025). Trade-Off Between Yield and Water-Use Efficiency in Piper nigrum. Crops, 5(4), 54. https://doi.org/10.3390/crops5040054

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