Betelvine also known as ‘Paan’ or ‘naagvel”, is an important cash crop of India.It is a native of central and eastern Malaysia. Betel leaf has significant place as it is used in various rituals functions also plays a vital role in day to day life of farm families. It also possesses medicine value as it cures many diseases and disorders. It is important commercial and profitable crop amongst all cultivated crops. In India, Tamil Nadu, Madhya Pradesh, West Bengal, Orissa, Maharashtra and Uttar Pradesh are major betel vine growing states.

In Maharashtra near about five thousand acre land is under betel vine cultivation. Sangli, Satara, Pune, Thane, Kolhapur, Nagpur, Amaravati and Jalgaon are major betelvine growing areas of Maharashtra. 

It can be grown on different types of soils such as heavy clayey loam and sandy loam soils. It grows well on fertile soil. Avoid waterlogged, saline and alkali soils for cultivation of betel vine. Light as well as heavy red loam soils with good soil depth are also suitable for cultivation. 

Depending upon shape below are the varieties which are grown:

Deshi Paan: Normal size leaves.

Kali Paan: Heart shape long, broad, pungent leaves with dark green color. 

Nalekar Paan: Long, medium thick size leaves.

Bangali Paan: Long, broad leaves with more veins. 

Kurhe Paan: Long, slender leaves.

Kapoori : Medium thick, highly pungent variety, 

Meetha: Medium, sweet leaves.

Deshi, Kallipatti, Kapoori and Bangla (Ramtek) can  also be grown in Maharashtra.

Other States Variety

AP: Karapaku, Chennor, Tellaku, Bangla and Kalli Patti

Assam: Assam Patti, Awani pan, Bangla and Khasi pan.

Bihar: Desi pan, Calcutta, Paton, Maghai and Bangla

Desi Bangl, Calcutta and Deswari are popular varieties of Madhya Pradesh.

Karnataka: Kariyale, Mysoreale and Ambadiale

Odisha: Godi Bangla, Nova Cuttak, Sanchi and Birkoli

Uttar Pradesh: Deswari, Kapoori, Maghai and Bangla.

West Bengal: Bangla, Sanchi, Mitha, Kali Bangla and Simurali Bangla.

Plough land at depth of 18-20cm and bring soil to fine tilth. Then raised land by 5–10cm from the adjacent areas and provide proper slop on both sides. It will help in draining excess water. Then prepared beds of required size i.e. 15cm high and 30cm broad. For new plantations, to minimize nematode infestation, apply Carbofuran 3G@0.6kg/acre or neem cake@0.2tonnes/acre + Carbofuran@0.3kg/acre. 

Time of sowing

Complete sowing with onset of monsoon. In some districts (toward south) sowing is carried out in August, September and October month.

Spacing

For cultivation of betel vine, two systems are used in India1) Open system in which other plant is used for support and 2) in closed system, artificial rectangular structures called borojas are used for support.

Method of sowing

Transplanting of stem cutting.

Seed Rate

For open system, 16,000–30,000 cuttings are required for oneacre land whereas 40,000–48,000 cuttings/acre are sufficient in closed system of cultivation.

Seed Treatment

To prevent crop from wilt and rot disease, Soak the seeds in Streptocycline@500mg/Ltr + Bordeaux mixture@0.5gm/Ltr of water for 30 minutes.

For propagation purpose use stem cuttings having 3-5 nodes.Plant these cutting in such a way that 2-3 nodes are buried in the soil. 

Open system: For support and shade, cultivate plants of Sesbania grandiflora (Agati or humming bird tree), S. sesban, Erythrina variegata(Indian coral tree or Parijat) and Moringa oleifera (drumstick).Plant them at least 45days before planting of betelvine. Sow them in 45-60 cm rows.

Closed system: Prepared borojson high-level land. Give slope to it, in all directions for a quick drainage of excess water. For construction of such type of structures use locally available materials like bamboo, jute sticks, straw, reeds etc. Keep square or rectangular Shape of the boroj with a height of about 2 to 2.5 m.

 Fertilizer Requirement (kg/acre)

Nutrient Requirement (kg/acre)

Overall betel vine required, Nitrogen@60 kg/acre/year, Phosphorus@8 kg and Potash@8 kg per acre. Apply them in form of Urea@130 kg, SSP@40 kg and MOP@12 kg/acre. Apply, whole dose of Phosphorus and potash along with 15 kg of Nitrogen (Urea@35 kg) as basal dose. Apply remaining dose of Nitrogen in three equal split i.e. first 15 days after lifting the vines and second and third dose at 40-45 days intervals.

Trailing: Tying of vines with banana fiber or locally available material with a support to facilitate climbing at an interval of 20-30cm.

For good growth and yield sufficient soil moisture should present in soil, so provide frequent light irrigation depending upon climatic conditions. It is sensitive to water logged situation. Provide proper drainage to drain excess water.

• Diseases and their control: 

Foot rot or Leaf rot or wilt

As a preventive measure, soak vine seed in solution of Streptocycline@500mg/Ltr of water + Bordeaux mixture@0.5gm/Ltr water for 30 minute. 

If infestation is observed in field, collect and destroy infected vines and leaves away from field. Drench the soil with solution of Bordeaux mixture@500 ml/hill especially during the cool weather period with monthly intervals

Anthracnose: If infestation is observed, collect and destroy the infected vines and leaves.

Take spray of Ziram@3 gm/Ltr of water or M-45@4 gm/Ltr of water after plucking the leaves.

Bacterial leaf spot or stem rot: Take spray of Z-78@3 gm/Ltr of water + M-45@3 gm/ltr of water. If necessary take second spray with interval of 20 days, after plucking the leaves.

Powdery mildew: If infestation is observed, take spray of Wettable Sulphur@2gm/Ltr of water or do dusting of Sulphur@ 10 kg/acre after plucking the leaves.Powdery mildew: If infestation is observed, take spray of Wettable Sulphur@2gm/Ltr of water or do dusting of Sulphur@ 10 kg/acre after plucking the leaves.

• Pests and their control:

Scale insect: Take spray of Quinalphos@3ml/Ltr of water at the infested portion. If it is to be spray during harvesting stage, before spraying, remove matured/marketable leaves.

Mealy bugs: Collect and destroyed the damaged plant parts. Take spray of neem oil@5 ml/Ltr of water along with teepol@1 ml/lit of water.

Red Spider Mite: If infestation is observed take spray of monocil@2 ml per Ltr of water.

Betelvine is ready for harvesting after 2-3 months of planting i.e. when vine is grown up to 1.2-1.8 meter in length. After this, carry out harvesting for every 15-25 days. Harvest the leaves from the lower portion of the stem. Plucked matures leaves along with a portion of petioles. Harvesting is done by hand. Yearly about 30 to 40 lakh leaves are obtained from one acre land. It gives an average yield of 30-40lakh leaves/acre/year. 

After harvesting wash leaves, then clean them and do sorting and grading according to their size, color, texture and maturity. After grading, they are packed after cutting portion of petiole. For packing bamboo baskets is commonly used. As inner lining material, use straw, fresh or dried banana leaves or wet cloth etc.

Curing: Leaves are blanched with heat treatments at temperature of 60-70°C for 6-8 hours. Such leaves fetch more price as compared to unprocessed leaves.