Abstract:
Betel (Piper betle L.) is a popular intercrop with
coconuts in Kurunegala and Gampaha districts,
mainly grown as a cash crop. To ensure selection
of high quality, vigorous plants, growers often use
potted betel plants for transplanting. The
traditional potting media for betel consists of
equal parts topsoil (TS), sand (S), cow dung (CM)
and coconut flour (CD). However, due to the high
cost and limited availability of sand and coir dust,
using partially burned paddy husk as a substitute
is
a more economical option. A study was
conducted to determine the cost-effective potting
mixture using a combination of different potting
materials.
Seven treatments included the
combinations of top soil, sand, cattle manure, coir
dust, and partially burned paddy husk (PBPH).
The poly bags were filled with a plotting mixture
and three nodal cuttings were planted. A
propagator was used to raise the plants for 21
days. The small plants were then kept in 70%
shade. According to the results, the highest root
dry weights were in the T2(TS:CM:S:CD:PBPH
2:1:1:1:3) and T7 (TS:CM:PBPH, 1:1:3). The
highest shoot dry weight, shoot length, and
number of leaves were all observed in T4
(TS:CM:S:CD
2:1:1/2:1:1). Therefore, treatments T4, T2, and
T7 can be recommended for betel propagation.
The cost per plant in the T4, T2, and T7 treatments
was Rs 13.50, Rs 11.50, and Rs 9.30, respectively,
which is lower than the cost of the conventional
potting mixture at Rs 18.00.
