Managing root wilt in betelvine >> see it ~~>

In India betelvine is grown in an area of 40,000 hectares, of which Tamil Nadu occupies about 6,000 hectares. The annual revenue earned from the crop is estimated to be around Rs. 700 crores. Betelvine leaves are exported to United Arab Emirates, Oman, Bahrain, Egypt, Pakistan, Kenya and Bangladesh.

In India annual betelvine leaf production is estimated to be around 25,314 million leaves, of which Tamil Nadu's production is around 11,766 million leaves.

Number of diseases The crop is attacked by diseases such as root wilt, leaf rot, vine seedling wilt, bacterial leaf blight, alternaria, anthracnose, rust and powdery mildew.

Among these root wilt is a serious infestation which causes 30-100 per cent loss to the crop.

Occurrences of root wilt are found throughout the year and are severe during October to February. Varieties Karoora Vellaikodi and Pacchaikodi are most susceptible.

Symptoms

The leaves and shoots turn yellow, wither and finally dry. In newly disease affected plant vines, young shoots are infested first. Gradually, the disease spreads through older roots and ultimately reaches the foot or collar region of the plant. In a disease affected plant, the whole underground portion gets completely rotten.

Management

-Growing moderately resistant varieties of betelvine such as Sirugamani-1 (SGM-1).

- Selection of disease free seedling vines for planting. - Treating the seedlings by dipping them in Bordeaux mixture (0.25 per cent) + 0.5g streptocycline for 10 minutes. - Drenching the soil with 0.5 per cent Bordeaux mixture in the planted rows of vines.

-Applying biocontrol agents such as Trichoderma viride at 1 kg mixed in 100 kg of FYM + 10 kg neem cake once in three months per year to the vines.

- Spraying with 0.25 per cent Bordeaux mixture at 15 days interval at four times to check leaf rot.

-Avoid over usage of groundnut cake in the vine garden and remove all the infested leaves fallen on the ground. This practice should be continued because these leaves act as a source of disease spread.