BETELVINE

Betelvine also known as ‘Paan’, is an important cash crop of India. It is a native of central and eastern Malaysia. Betel leaf is used for chewing purpose and Offering betel morsels (pan-supari) to guests in the Indian sub-continent is a common courtesy. It has its own significant place, as it is used in various rituals and functions, also plays a vital role in day to day life of farmer’s families. It also possesses medicinal value as it cures many diseases and disorders. Along with castor oil, it is used for reliving constipation in children. It is useful in treatment of nervous disorder. It is used for healing wounds, also to treat sore throat. When leaves wet with oil are applied on breast, helps in milk secretion. It is important commercial and profitable crop amongst all cultivated crops. In India, the major betel vine growing states are Tamil Nadu, Madhya Pradesh, West Bengal, Orissa, Maharashtra and Uttar Pradesh.
•    Betel leaf has aphrodisiac properties.
•    Betel leaf juice is credited with diuretic properties.
•    Betel leaves are beneficial in the treatment of nervous disorders.
•    The betel leaf has analgesic and cooling properties.
•    It can be applied to relieve intense headaches.
•    Betel leaves are useful in pulmonary afflictions suffered in childhood and old age.
•    In the case of constipation in children, a suppository made of the stalk of betel leaf dipped in castor oil can be introduced in the rectum. This instantly relives constipation.
•    Local application of the leaves is effective in treating sore throat.
•    Betel leaves can be used to heal wounds.
•    The herb is also an effective remedy for boils.
•    The application of leaves smeared with oil is said to be promote the secretion of milk when applied on the breasts during lactation.
 

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.
 

Deswari, Kapoori, Maghai and Bangla are popular varieties in Uttar Pradesh.

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.

Karnataka: Kariyale, Mysoreale and Ambadiale.

Odisha: Godi Bangla, Nova Cuttak, Sanchi and Birkoli.

Mahdya Pradesh: Desi Bangl, Calcutta and Deswari.

Maharashtra: Kallipatti, Kapoori and Bangla (Ramtek).

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

 

Plough land for four-five times and bring soil to fine tilth. Then raised land by 5–10 cm from the adjacent areas and provide proper slop on both sides. It will help in draining excess water. Then prepare beds of required size i.e. 15 cm high and 30 cm broad.

Time of sowing
For UP, January - February and October – November, is optimum time for betel vine cultivation.

Spacing
For cultivation of betel vine, two systems are used in India 1) Open system, in which other plant is used for support and 2)Closed system, in which 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 one acre 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. Select setts or stem cutting of 35-45 cm length from top portion of vines. In Uttar Pradesh, single node cuttings with a mother leaf is used for planting. 16,000–30,000 cuttings are required for one acre land.

Stem cuttings having 3-5 nodes are used for propagation and these are planted in such a manner that 2-3 nodes are buried in the soil. A single node cutting with a mother leaf is also planted. The vines are propagated by terminal stem cutting or setts about 30-45 cm long. Setts obtained from the top portions of the vines are easy to root and hence best for planting. On an average 100000 setts are required for planting one hectare. Generally 40000-75000 cuttings are used for a hectare.
 

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.

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.

Training of vines:
Training is done by fixing the vine at intervals of 15 to 20 cm along the standards loosely with the help of banana fibre. Training is done at every 15-20 days interval depending upon the growth of vines.

Lowering:
Under normal condition, the vines grow to height of 3 m in one year period. When they reach this height their vigour to produce normal size leaf are reduced and they need rejuvenation by lowering during March-April. After the vine is lowered, the tillers spring up from the nodes at the bends of the coiled vines at the ground level and produce many primary vines. Irrigation should
be given after each lowering.

• Disease 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@0.5 gm/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 specially 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.

• Pest 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.
 

Betel vine 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.