Effect of organic and inorganic sources of n on growth, yield and disease incidence of betelvine (Piper betle l.)

Field experiments of 2006 and 2007 at Namkhana (South 24-Parganas) of West Bengal revealed that the integrated use of organic manure (mustard oil cake/neem cake) and inorganic N fertilizer (urea/calcium ammonium nitrate) had a significant effect on yield of betelvine {Piper betle L.) cv. ‘Meetha’. Recommended dose of nitrogen (RDN) @ 200 kg/ha applied as neem cake and CAN in equal proportion (1:1) gave the highest vine elongation, leaf area and yield (39.75 lakh/ha/year). Length of internodes and fresh mass of 100 leaves were maximum when RDN applied as neem cake and urea (1:1 proportion). Both the treatments were statistically at par. N, P and K contents of leaves were highest in RDN applied through urea, neem cake and neem cake and CAN (1:1 proportion), respectively. Incidence of diseases like foot rot, leaf spot, anthracnose and bacterial leaf spot was more in urea and less in neem cake treated plots.