Black pepper is a plant of humid tropics requiring high rainfall and humidity. The hot and humid climate of sub mountainous tracts of Western Ghats is ideal for its cultivation. It grows successfully between 20° North and South latitudes, and, up to 1500 m above sea level. The crop tolerates temperatures between 10o and 40°C. The favourable temperature range is 23 - 32o C and the ideal temperature is around 28o C. Optimum soil temperature for root growth is 26 - 28o C. The ideal range of relative humidity for the crop is 75-80%. A well distributed annual rainfall of 1250-2000 mm is considered ideal for black pepper. Black pepper can be grown in a wide range of soils with a pH of 5.5 to 6.5, though in its natural habitat it thrives well in red laterite soils. The black pepper growing tracts in the West Coast of India include (1) coastal areas where black pepper is grown in homesteads (2) midlands where black pepper is extensively cultivated on a plantation scale and (3) hills at an elevation of 800-1500 m above sea level, where the crop is mostly grown on shade trees in coffee, cardamom and tea plantations.