Evaluation of alternative nursery potting mixtures for betel (Piper betle L.)

Betel (Piper betle L.) is a woody climber with cultural and economic significance. Precise potting mixture is a prerequisite to produce quality nursery plants. Exploring alternative potting mixtures is crucial in addressing limitations associated with traditional potting mixtures. This research aimed to evaluate the different alternative potting mixtures for nursery production of betel. The research was conducted at Betel Research Station, Department of Export Agriculture, at Narammala. Seven potting mixtures were prepared using different ratios of topsoil, coir dust, sand, cattle manure, compost, goat manure, Partially Burnt Paddy Husk (PBPH) and poultry manure. Department of Export Agriculture (DEA) recommended potting mixture (Topsoil: Sand: Coir dust: Cattle manure 1:1:1:1) was used as the control (T1). This experiment was laid out in a Complete Randomized Design and each treatment consisted 15 nursery pots. “Ratadalu” stem cuttings were used as planting materials. Analysis was done on the EC, pH, and N, P, and K content of the nutrients in potting mixes. Growth parameters; number of leaves, shoot length and diameter were recorded weekly. Survival rate, shoot and root weight, root volume measured at 9th week. Except, T8 (Topsoil: PBPH: Poultry manure 1:3:1) potting mixture, other alternative nursery potting mixtures showed similar performances to control (T1) for most of the tested parameters. Out of alternative mixtures, T2 potting mixture exhibited more similar performances to the DEA recommended potting mixture. Therefore, T2 (Topsoil: Sand: Coir dust: Compost 1:1:1:1) can be suggested as the best alternative potting mixture for nursery production of betel.