Effect of climatic factors on the growth and leaf yield of betelvine (Piper betle L.)

An experiment was conducted on eight cultivars of betelvine (Piper betle L.) with an objective to study the effect of various climatic factors on growth and leaf yield of the crop for consequtive two growing seasons. The experiment was designed in Completely Randomized Design with eight treatments (cultivars) and five replications. The data on growth and yield parameters were recorded in four different seasons of the year i.e., winter, summer, rainy and autumn season. Results showed that growth and leaf yield of betelvine was more in rainy season and less in winter season. Among the cultivars, vine length increment of cv. SimuraliSanchi was highest in rainy season (144.70 cm) followed by autumn season (104.52 cm), summer season (98.40 cm) and winter season (48.56 cm). Irrespective of all the seasons, cv. CARI-6 showed the maximum and Jabalpur showed the minimum internodal length. Among the cultivars SimuraliSanchi produced the maximum marketable leaves (23) per vine in rainy season. Temperature and relative humidity were positively correlated with variation in growth and yield parameters.