Introduction: In Assam three different types of cultivation of betelvines are followed -(1) Around arecanut or any other trees. (2) Baroj type and (3) Khuti type. Of these, the first type is generally followed in most households whereas the later two types are practised for commercial purposes.

Cultivar: Assamiya pan or Jati pan, Khasi pan, Garo pan, Sanchi pan, Bangla pan, (Kali Bangla, Nua Bangla, Ghanegette and Godi Bangla) Mitha pan and Karbi pan.

Planting Season and Raising of Seedlings: Land for planting the betelvine setts should be fully pulverized and soil treatment should be given with Formalin solution (4%) which should be sprinkled at the rate of 3 liters per sq.m. of soil and covered with polythene sheet or moist gunny bag for 24 hours. Planting should not be done for 15-20 days following formalin treatment.

Soil:Well drained fertile clay to sandy loam type of soils are suitable. For a new plantation top soil transplanted from a nearby plot should be used. Soil pH may be increased upto 6.5 by adding lime at least 20 days before planting the cutting of betelvine.

Seed Selection : Select the healthy round nut of average weight 40 g. Deep the nuts in a bucket containing water. The nuts which are floating on the water vertically are suitable for raising seedling.

Cultivation with Arecanut Support: Pits of 60 cm x 60 cm x 30 cm size are dug 60-90 cm away from the base of arecanuts and filled up with well decomposed FYM and top soil. Three to four cuttings are generally planted in each pit for each of the arecanut tree. It is extremely important to press the soil firmly around the cuttings. Generally 60 to 90 cm long cuttings having 6 buds are preferable.

Baroj Type and Khuti Type of Cultivation: Baroj are prepared out of bamboo and thatch. These are covered from all the sides with thatch and bamboo support and betelvines are supported to climb on bamboo sticks and in Khuti Type. The roof is covered with thatch.

Planting Material: The vines are propagated by terminal stem cutting obtained from mature mother vines. In Baroj system, the spacing between the cuttings is 15 cm from plant to plant and 50 cm from row to row. Approximately 95,000 to 1, 00,000 cuttings are required per hectare for planting. In Khuti Type, the row to row and plant to plant distance is 90 cm and approximately 10,000 to 12,000 cuttings are required per hectare.

Before planting, drench the soil with Mancozeb 75 WP 0.2% uniformly by means of a rose can. Lines are made for planting and cuttings obtained from disease free garden and treated with a solution consisting of Bordeaux mixture 0.5% and streptocycline 500 ppm for half an hour before planting. In Assam, the cuttings are planted during May to August.

Plant Protection:
1. Phytophthora leaf and root rot: Apply four drenches and eight sprays of Bordeaux mixture @ 1.0% and 0.5% respectively. From June to September Drenching and spraying should be done at monthly and fifteen days interval.
2. Bacterial leaf spot: Give four sprays of Streptomycin (1.0%) along with Bordeaux mixture (0.5%) at 20 days interval after initiation of the disease.
3. Anthracnose: Give four spray of Bordeaux mixture @ 0.5% at 20 days interval after initiation of the disease.
4. Biocontrol of Phytophthora and basal rot of betelvine: Apply 500kg deoiled mustard oil cake at quarterly interval cultured with Trichoderma harzianumat the root region of the vines.

Planting Material: The vines are propagated by terminal stem cutting obtained from mature mother vines. In Baroj system, the spacing between the cuttings is 15 cm from plant to plant and 50 cm from row to row. Approximately 95,000 to 1, 00,000 cuttings are required per hectare for planting. In Khuti Type, the row to row and plant to plant distance is 90 cm and approximately 10,000 to 12,000 cuttings are required per hectare.
Planting Season and Raising of Seedlings: Land for planting the betelvine setts should be fully pulverized and soil treatment should be given with Formalin solution (4%) which should be sprinkled at the rate of 3 liters per sq.m. of soil and covered with polythene sheet or moist gunny bag for 24 hours. Planting should not be done for 15-20 days following formalin treatment. Before planting, drench the soil with Mancozeb 75 WP 0.2% uniformly by means of a rose can. Lines are made for planting and cuttings obtained from disease free garden and treated with a solution consisting of Bordeaux mixture 0.5% and streptocycline 500 ppm for half an hour before planting. In Assam, the cuttings are planted during May to August.

For Baroj type cultivation, apply N @ 200 kg/ha/year as mustard oil cake in 4 split doses.
Apply 6(six) foliar sprays of ZnSO4 (4%) at 60 days intervals to increase the leaf yield. The first spray should start in April.

Trailing the Vines: Trailing of the vines is done by tying the vines at intervals of 15 to 20cm along bamboo sticks loosely with the help of banana fibre, arecanut leaf sheath or any other locally available material.

Lowering the Vines: Under normal cultivation, the vines grow to a height of about 3m in a year. When they reach this height, it is needed to be lowered down. This is achieved by lowering the vines down to the ground level at least twice in a year. The top of the young vine is again winded around the stick for the next season’s growth.