Effect of Integrated Nutrient Management on Productivity and Profitability of Betel Vine (Piper betle L.) in the Coastal Region of Odisha

Abstract

Integrated Nutrient Management not only ensures efficient nutrient utilisation but also enhances soil organic matter, microbial activity, and long-term ecological stability. Betel vine (Piper betle L.) is a perennial, dioecious, evergreen climber of the family Piperaceae, cultivated primarily for its leaves, which are valued for mastication, medicinal use, and cultural significance across South and Southeast Asia. An on-farm multi-location trial was conducted in three districts of Odisha, namely Ganjam, Balasore, and Jagatsinghpur, during Kharif 2021-22 and 2022-23 to evaluate the impact of Integrated Nutrient Management (INM) on the growth and yield of betel vine (Piper betle L.) in the coastal region of Odisha.. The study aimed to identify the most suitable combination of organic and inorganic nutrient sources for optimising vine length, leaf yield, and overall economic benefits. The experiment was laid out in a Randomised Block Design (RBD) with three treatments and seven replications. Results revealed that the application of 50% NPK (STD), mustard oil cake (MoC) @ 1.5 t/ha, vermicompost (VC) @ 10 t/ha, and a consortia biofertilizer @ 12 kg/ha significantly improved vine length (4.86 m), leaf yield per vine (73.57 leaves), hundred fresh leaf weight (276.52 g), and total leaf yield per hectare per year (1,623,980 leaves). The findings suggest that integrating organic and inorganic fertilisers enhances betel vine productivity while maintaining soil health and sustainability. Based on the findings, it was concluded that betel vine recorded the highest vine length, number of leaves per vine, hundred fresh leaf weight, and leaf yield per hectare per year when treated with an integrated dose of fertiliser based on soil test values, along with mustard oil cake, vermicompost, and consortia biofertilizer.