Areca nut production methods and fertilizer application

Production technologies for Areca nut

:ARECA NUT:
Order: Arecales Botanical name: Areca catechu
Family: Arecaceae
Origin: Malayan archipelago, Philippines and other
East Indian islands
Plant part used: Kernel, Stem (as timber)
 Areca nut is one of the important commercial
plantation crops grown in India.
There are four important species in areca nut, A.
normanbyii, A. triandra, A. macrocarpa and A. catechu
Areca nut is commercially and systematically
cultivated in India, Bangladesh and Srilanka.
Areca nut is cultivated for its tender kernel, which is
used for masticating/chewing purpose

 In India it is extensively grown in Karnataka (occupy 68%
area),Kerala (occupying 28%area),West Bengal, Assam,
Meghalaya, Tamilnadu, Goa, Maharashtra, Orissa, coastal AP,
Andaman & Nicobar Islands.
 Kerala, Karnataka and Assam constitutes 90% of the total area
and production.
 Areca nut has three alkaloids namely Arecoline, Arcolidine and
Guracine. Which helps to control worms in digestive tract.
 In India, areca nut is being used for chewing along with Betel
leaf and Calcium, which is called as “Tambulam” and offerings
in ceremonial functions.
 The “chogaru” is commercially explored in textile Industries
for colouring
 Recently “Areca tea” and “Areca glass” is explored
 The stem is being used as a “Timber”

Botany
Areca nut is a perennial, tall, slender palm has un
branched, smooth cylindrical stem.
The stem is known as caudex.
It reaches a height of 15-25 m. The palm has 7-12
leaves in the crown and each leaf will be 1.65 m long
with pinnate in nature (partly fused and partly free)
It is a monoecious palm, both male (15,000-48,000)
and female (0-644) flowers are present in the same
inflorescence enclosed in a boat shaped spathe. The
entire structure is called as spadix.
Male and female flowers are borne on primary,
secondary and tertiary rachises in the inflorescence

 Both male and female flowers mature at different
stages encouraging cross pollination.
The pollination is carried out by insects and the wind.
After pollination, 12-40% of the female flowers are set
in to nuts
Fruit is a single seeded drupe. It is round to oblong in
shape, the kernel is enclosed with in yellowish / orange
/ greenish coloured husk.
The fruit is monolocular in nature. The fruit will
mature in 35 to 47 weeks after pollination
Each bunch consists of 100-250 nuts
Roots :
The areca nut has adventitious root system, the roots
some time grow up to 1.96 m.

Root has no root hairs and almost uniform in
thickness from top to bottom .
On the surface of the main roots and rootlets small
whitish pointed outgrowths develop. They are called
pneumatophores and they act as respiratory roots.
Root density:
The greatest part of the roots are found within a circle
of about 2-3 feet from the stem.
Root depth:
50 per cent of roots are confined to top 50 cm of soil.
Area and Production:
 Presently, India has highest area and production in
the world

At present, 9.93 lakh tonnes of areca nut is being
produced in the world, of which India’s
contribution is 53%.
In India, areca nut is cultivated in an area of 3.96
lakh ha with a production of 5.59 lakh tonnes.
In Karnataka, areca nut is grown in an area of
1.68 lakh ha with a production of 2.24 lakh tonnes .
In the state, areca nut is grown in UK, DK,
Shivamogga, Chikmagalur, Tumkur and
Chitradurga districts
In the world, China has 37.52 qt/ha, Malaysia 16.67
qt/ha and India has 11.48 qt/ha productivity.

• Though areca nut can be grown on all types of
soils, Red loams, sandy loams, laterite , alluvial
soils with good drainage, aeration and rich in
humus are ideal for its cultivation.
• The pH of the soil should be 5.2-8.0.
• Areca nut could be cultivated from sea level up
to an altitude 1000 m
• Areca nut requires well spread rainfall of 2000
to 2500 mm and temperature range of 14-360
C.
Soil and climate

1. South Canara Local /
Kasaragod Local
It is largely grown in
Dakshina Kannada district
of Karnataka and
Kasaragod district of
Kerala.
This variety is characterized
by palms tall, large sized
nuts with uniform bearing
The average chali yield is
about 2.0 kg/palm/year.
Ripe nuts of this cultivar is
mainly used for making
Varieties

2. Mangala
It was introduced from China (VTL-3)
Early in bearing
Palms are medium tall, more number of
female flowers per inflorescence, higher
fruit set and cumulative higher yield (10
kg ripe nuts /palm)
 Which is characterized by partially
drooping crown with well spread leaves
and having more number of leaflets
Nuts are bold/ large sized
Released for coastal areas of Karnataka

3.Sumangala
This variety was introduced
from Indonesia (VTL-11).
 It is a tall type with partially
drooping crown.
Under good management,
palms flower in 4-5 years. The
colour of the ripe nuts is deep
yellow to orange and oblong to
round in shape.
The variety recorded an
average yield of 17.50 kg of ripe
nuts and 45 qt of chali per palm
per year at the age of ten years.
The cultivar was released for
coastal areas of Karnataka and
Kerala

4.Sreemangala This variety was introduced
from Singapore (VTL-17).
Areca nut palm is tall with
partially drooping crown with
longer internodes and sturdy
stem.
It starts flowering in 4-5
years.
It is a high yielder with an
average yield of 16.50 kg ripe
nuts and 45 qt of chali /palm /
year.
Ripe nuts usually oblong to
round in shape with deep
yellow colour.

5.Mohitnagar Mohitnagar, an indigenous
(Mohitnagar, West Bengal) areca
nut variety with a high yield
potential has been recommended
for release during 1991.
The nuts are round to oblong
in shape.
The variety is consistently high
yielder with an average yield of
15.08 kg ripe nuts and 50 qt of
chali / palm / year.
 This variety is released for
cultivation in West Bengal and
Coastal areas of Karnataka and
Kerala

6. Kahikuchi Tall
Kahikuchi (VTL-64) has
been released for Assam and
North Eastern States.
It is a high yielding variety
Nuts are bigger and
heavier with high recovery
of chali/ dry kernel(25.20%)
from fresh nuts.
The average yield of Chali
is 3.70 kg dry kernel/palm /
year.

7. Swarnamangala
Tall type with partially
drooping crown, flower in 4-5
years, longer internodes,
sturdy stem
Orange to deep yellow
coloured and oblong to round
shape nuts.
Average yield (Chali/palm) :
3.90 Kg.
It is released for irrigated
areas of Karnataka and
Kerala.

8. Calicut-17
It is consistently a high
yielder (average yield of ripe
nuts 18.89 kg / palm / year)
Chali 4.34 kg /palm /year
Round and bold nuts.
This cultivar has been
released for commercial
cultivation in Andaman and
Nicobar group of islands.

9. SAS-1
Tall palm with compact
canopy.
Nuts are round and even
sized and closely arranged
on compact bunches.
It is suitable for both
tender and Chali.
It yields 4.60 kg chali/palm
/year.
The variety has been
recommended for traditional
areca nut growing valleys of
Sirsi hill zone of Karnataka.

This is a selection from local Sirsi variety
This variety is a regular bearer and has higher
recovery percentage.
Also it is suitable for both tender and ripe nut
processing.

It is grown widely in Raigad
and Rathnagiri districts of
Maharashtra and Coastal
Karnataka.
The nuts are oval in shape
and the yield is comparable to
`South Canara’.
Average yield recorded is
2.20 kg chali/palm/year.
Because of the larger
proportion of its endosperm it
is tastier than other varieties
Due to its shape and
marbled appearance of the
kernel when cut, it fetches
premium price in the market. 10. Shrivardhan

10.Sagar
It is mainly grown in Uttar
Kannada and Shivamogga
districts of Karnataka.
It is a tall type and having
sturdy stem with erect
bunches are the distinguishing
characters of this cultivar.
The nuts are smaller in size
and round in shape.
Average yield 2.25 kg
chali/palm/year.
Nuts are used for making
both chali and tender nut
processing.

11. Thirthalli tall:
The size of the nuts is smaller and oblong in shape.
Palm yields about 12 kg ripe nuts/palm/year
It is grown extensively in Malnad areas of
Chikmagalur and Shivamogga districts of Karnataka
Nuts of this cultivar are preferred for tender nut
processing.
12.Hirehalli Local
It is a tall type and mainly cultivated in Tumkur and
maidan areas of Karnataka.
The nuts are medium sized, round to oval shape.
Nuts of this cultivar are used for both tender nut
processing and making chali.

13. Vittal Areca nut Hybrid-1
(VTLAH-1)
Hybrid between Hirehalli Dwarf X
Sumangala.
 Dwarf type with reduced canopy ,
and very sturdy stem.
Super imposition of nodes on the stem
gives mechanical support to the palm
Partially drooping crown with well spread leaves.
Moderate yielder but early stabilization in nut yield.
Nuts are oval shaped, medium sized, yellow to orange
coloured nuts.
Average yield of chali is 2.54.kg /palm/year
Yield of Chali is 5248 kg/ha
Recovery over fresh nut- 26.45 %

Recommended for Coastal Karnataka and Kerala
Harvesting and spraying is easy
Because of the dwarfing nature and lesser cost of
cultivation.
Sun scorching and wind damage is minimal due to
dwarfing nature.

Criteria's for mother palm selection:
1. Higher productivity
2. Attained stability in yield
3. Should be able to transform 50% of the female
flowers to nuts.
4. Should be free from pests and diseases.
5. Mother palm should be 15-25 years of age.
6. Mother palm should have 7-12 leaves in the crown.
7. The inter nodal length should be minimum

Selection of nuts:
Nuts should be fully ripe
Nuts should be heavier (above 35 g)
Immediately after collection the nuts are soaked in
water. Lighter nuts which float on surface of water
should be rejected and heavier nuts are used for
multiplication.
Primary nursery bed:
•Nursery beds of 30cm depth X convenient in length
and width are to be prepared in the partial shade and
they are filled up with sand.
• The seed nuts are sown immediately at a spacing of
5X5 cm in the nursery beds

• The nuts will germinate in about 40 days
• 2-3 month old sprouts with 2 to 3 leaves are
transplanted in to the secondary nursery beds
Secondary nursery bed:
Secondary nursery beds of 120 cm width X 15 cm
height and convenient length are to be prepared.
The irrigation channels are to be laid out in north-
south direction.
The nursery beds should be applied with well
decomposed cattle manure @ 5 tonnes per acre.
Sprouts are planted at 30 x 30 cm spacing apart with
the onset of monsoon.
Provide shade by erecting pendal or by growing
banana. Irrigate the beds and drain out the excess

water.
Weeding & mulching should be done at regular interval
 Seedlings are retained in the secondary nursery bed till
12-18 months.
Selection of seedlings:
• Seedlings should be 12-18 months old.
• They should have minimum of 5-7 leaves
• Seedlings should have minimum height and maximum
girth at collar region
• Seeds sprouted later and unhealthy seedlings should be
rejected
• Scientifically to select the seedlings, the leaves of the
seedlings should be multiplied by 40 and then
subtracted by the height of the seedling, ultimately the
remainder should be more than 100

Main Land preparation:
Land is prepared by repeated ploughing and
levelling.
Irrigation and drainage channels are laid out.
To avoid the sun scorching of areca nut plants in the
south-west direction plant the south-west direction
with mangium, jack, survey, silver oak, acacia and
other shade providing plants.
Planting season :
June –July is the ideal period for taking up planting.
 In heavy rainfall tracts planting could be taken up
during the 2nd
fortnight of August.

Planting method and distance:
•To avoid the sun scorching in the South-West direction
the North-South and East-West lines are to be shifted
350
towards East and South direction respectively.
•Pits of 90 cm cube are to be dug at 2.7 m X 2.7 m
spacing.
•They are to be filled up with a mixture of 20 kg
compost +12-15 kg green leaf + top soil.
•Apply 10-15 grams of Carbofuron /pit to combat the
root grub damage
•The seedlings are planted at the centre of the pit.
•Immediately after planting staking is to be provided
and the plants are irrigated.
•In the initial years, banana can be raised as a nurse

E
W
N
S
Adjusted method of planting
North –south
lines are shifted
350
towards East
East-West lines
are shifted 350
towards East
35o

Manuring/ Fertilization:
Each palm should be supplemented with 100: 40: 140
grams of NPK, 12-15 kg of green leaf manure and 20
kg compost.
Organic manures are applied once in September –
October.
Chemical fertilizers are applied in two splits during
April-May and September–October.
During April-May 30:10:50 grams of NPK/plant and
September-October 70:30:90 grams /NPK/plant is to
be applied per palm.
1/3rd
of the recommended dose of fertilizers should be
applied during first year.
2/3rd
of the recommended dose of fertilizers should be
applied during second year.

Recommended dose of chemical fertilizers should be
applied from 3rd
year onwards.
The fertilizers are applied @ 60-75 cm away from
the palm in circular rings/basins at a depth of 15-
20 cm.
After application of fertilizers, they should be mixed
well in the soil.
Irrigation and drainage:
Depending on soil and climate conditions the areca
nut palms should be irrigated once in 3-5 days
In drip irrigation daily 16-20 liter water should be
provided per palm / day through micro tubes.
Areca nut is sensitive to water logging.
Adequate drainage facilities should be provided
particularly in heavy rainfall areas.

Drainage channels may be laid out at every two rows
of areca nut.
 The dimension of drainage canals should be 30 cm
width X 60 cm depth.
To conserve the soil moisture the basins of the palm
are to be mulched with leaf litter or hay.
Interculture:
•Weeds should be removed as and when they appear in
the basins
•Light digging is to be carried out at the end of
monsoon (October –November).
•Chemical weeding is done by spraying Gramoxone @
1.2 liter/ ha.

Cover cropping:
Cover cropping is to be done to prevent the soil
erosion, weed growth and to add organic matter.
Legumes such as Mimosa invisa (15kg), Stylosanthes
gracilis(9kg) Calapogonium mucanoides (11kg) and
Pueraria javonica (11kg).
Cover crops are sown at the beginning of monsoon
during May -June and cut and incorporated in to the
soil during September-October.
Intercrops / Mixed cropping:
Areca nut palm has long pre bearing age (5-7 years).
Initially intercrops like banana, tapioca, pine apple,
sweet potato, ginger, turmeric could be grown.
After 8-10 years, black pepper, betel vine, nutmeg,
cacao, coffee, cardamom and clove could be grown
as permanent inter crops

Multistoried cropping system:
When two/ more crops of different canopy and
root distribution are grown in an areca nut garden
simultaneously, it is called as multistoried cropping
system.
In coastal Karnataka banana, black pepper,
cardamom, cocoa and acid lime can be profitably
grown together
 In maidan areas, banana and betel vine are grown
together.
Plant protection:
I. Diseases:
1) Koleroga/ mahali :
 It is the deadliest disease of areca nut, sometimes it
causes losses up to 80-90%.

Water soaked lesions inside calyx/ perianth

Nuts fallen on ground due to Kole roga

Symptoms :
Initially, water soaked lesions appear at the perianth
region of tender nuts and such nuts will fall down.
Sometimes, there will be development of powdery
growth on the surface of nuts this stage is called as
“Boosaragole”.
The affected bunches will loose their weight and the
kernel will become black and becomes unfit for
consumption.
Causal agent: Phytophthora arecae, Phytophthora meadii

Situations favorable for Kole roga:
 Low temperature coupled with heavy rains, high
humidity and sunshine will favour the spread of the
disease.
Control measures:
• Disposal of infected nuts and other parts of the palm.
• Spray 1.0% Bordeaux mixture to the bunches at least
two times at an interval of 45 days.
•The 1st
spray given during June-July and the 2nd
spray
given 45 days after the 1st
spray.
2.Bud rot / Crown rot:
Symptoms:
Yellowing of spindle leaf and rotting of growing bud
and surrounding tissues.
Palm emits a disagreeable odour.
This infection leads to the death of palm.

Causal agent: Phytophthora arecae, Phytophthora meadii
Control measures:
Removal of infected tissue completely and treat the
wound with Bordeaux mixture 1%
 Spray Bordeaux mixture (1%) to the crown of healthy
palms which are in the vicinity of the affected palms.
3. Inflorescence die back:
Symptoms:
Yellowing and drying of rachis from the tip towards
the base followed by shedding of female flowers.
Causal agent: Colletotrichum gleosporides
Control measures:
 Two sprays of Diathane M- 45 (3g/l) or Dithane Z-78
(4g/l) at an interval of 25 days.

4. Anabe roga ( Ganoderma lucidum) :
Symptoms:
Yellowing of outer whorl leaves gradually extending to
inner whorls.
In advanced stages the leaves droop and drops off,
finally leaving only one or two leaves along with
spindle.
Bleeding of red coloured gum at the base of the stem.
 Rotting of roots and finally fungal growth will appear
on the stem.
It is difficult to identify the disease in the initial stages.
Management practices:
1) Improvement of drainage
2) Apply 5kg neem cake, 20-25 kg well rottened FYM

3) The infected palms should be removed along with
roots and destroyed.
4) To prevent the further spread open the trenches of
30 cm width and 60 cm deep around the palm.
5) Drench the root zone of the infected palm with 0.3%
calixin ( 3ml/l) @ 15-20 liter /palm + root feeding of
1.5% calixin (15ml/l) @ 125 ml /palm at every 3
months interval.
5. Band disease:
Symptoms:
Development of small crinkled dark green leaves,
tapering stem and reduced internodal length.
Roots are poorly formed and they are brittle.
Providing good drainage.

Death of palms due to bud rot and band disease

 Application of micronutrients.
Removal of hard pan of sub soil.
Application of 225 g each of copper sulphate and lime to
the palm
Application of Borax @ 25g/palm.
6. Nut splitting:
Symptoms:
• Initially the nuts become yellow and later they splits
vertically / longitudinally exposing the kernel and
become unfit for consumption.
Improvement of drainage and application potash
(140g/palm) and boron (25g/palm)
To prevent the malady near the base of the bunch create

7. Leaf spot (Colletotrichum gleosporides and
Phyllosticta arecae):
Symptoms:
Small brown to dark brown or black round spots are
seen on the leaf.
 Severe infection causes stunted growth in seedlings.
Collect and destroy the affected leaves
Spray 1% BM or Dithane M-45 (3g/l)
8) Yellow leaf disease: This is caused by Phytoplasma
and spread by the vector Proutista moesta.
Symptoms:
Yellowing starts from the tip of the leaflets of outer
leaves and sometimes seen in middle whorl.

lamina, the portions near the midrib remain green.
In advanced stages, yellowing spreads to all the leaves
they dry and fall off.
Kernel of affected palms become soft and blackish in
colour.
Management Practices:
The disease is not controlled by existing plant
protection measures hence it is recommended to follow
the following integrated measures.
Apply recommended dose of fertilizers (100:40:140
g/NPK/plant/year).
Application of organic manures @ 20kg/palm /year is
recommended.
Apply additional 1.0 kg of SSP and 2.0 kg of neem

Management of drainage canals is important.
Remove and destroy the affected palms.
Take up plant protection measures against pests and
diseases.
II. Pests:
1. Mites (red and white mites):
Mites feed on lower surface of the areca nut leaves.
Leaves show yellow specks and later they exhibit burnt
appearance.
The attack is very severe during summer months.
Control:
Spray Kelthane (dicofol ) @ 2.5 ml/l of water, repeat the
spray after 15-20 days.
2. Spindle bug:
Symptoms:Appearance of linear dark brown necrotic
lesions on spindles and opened leaves

Control:
Spraying the affected spindles with Dimethoate @
1.75 ml/l of water
Placement of Phorate 10 G @10 g in the perforated
poly sachet near the spindle
3. Root grub :
There are 3 important types of root grubs which
are noticed in Karnataka, they are Leucopholis
coniophora, Leucopholis burmeisteri and Leucopholis
lepidophora
Symptoms:
 Root grubs feed on young growing roots
 Infested palms show tapering stem, yellowing of leaves
and reduction in yield.
Control:
Provide good drainage.

Collect the adult beetles in the evening hours between
7.0 to 8.0 pm on the 1st
day of rainfall either by
placing lamp or kerosene mixed water and kill them.
 From June to August spray the host plants with 0.4%
carbaryl
Apply 15 g phorate per palm during May and
September- October months or Chlorpyriphos @ 3
ml/l is to be mixed up and drench the root zone of the
palm 5 liters of solution.
4. Pentatomid bug (Holyomarpha marmorea):
 The larvae and the adults will suck the sap from the
tender nuts by making pin-prick holes.
The menace is severe during March to July months.

Control:
 Spary Dimethoate @ 1.75 ml/l of water.
5. Scale insect: ( Aonidiella orientalis and Ischnaapsis
longinostris ):
Scale insects seen feeding on tender nuts and rachis.
They suck the sap from the plant tissues
Severe attack leads to withering and shedding of
buttons.
Control:
Encourage natural enemies like lady bird beetle and
spider
6. Inflorescence caterpillar(Tirathoba mundella):
The insect feeds on tender rachillae and female flowers.
Control: The affected inflorescences should be removed

Harvesting:
Areca nut is harvested at different stages of
maturity for different purposes
I. Preparation of chali supari:
 Fully ripe, 9 month old , yellow to orange coloured
nuts are harvested from December to March in
Western ghats and between July –December in
maidan areas.
II. Tender nut processing:
 Nuts of 6-7 month old are harvested from July to
December.
The tender nut processing consists of dehusking, cutting
the soft nuts in to smaller pieces, boiling the cut pieces
with water or dilute extract from previous boiling and
drying.

After boiling the areca nut pieces are given a coating
with Kali (a concentrated, thick extract obtained after
boiling for 3-4 batches of arecanut) to get a good glossy
appearance .
Both oven and sun drying can be adapted.
Yield: Average yield of Chali 2000 kg/ha and processed
nut is 1250 to 1500 kg per ha.
Processing:
I. Chali supari:-
It is a dried nut.
9-10 months old nuts at full maturity or ripe stage
are harvested.
Ripe fruits are sun dried for 30 to 45days.
Husk loosens from the kernel.
Nuts are de husked and kernels are cut into two

halves transversely.
In other method the nuts are cut longitudinally along
with husk and again dried in open field.
With the help of a sharp pointed sickle the kernel is
separated out and cut transversely.
Again these kernels are dried to reduce the moisture
percentage to 10-12%.
These kernels are cut into smaller pieces or whole
kernels are used for marketing process.
The products are called as “chali supari”
II. Processed tender nut /Kalipak supari
(Kempadike):-
This product is more popular in Karnataka, A.P.
It is mostly used for sweet supari and also for ritual
offerings.

Green nuts are dehusked.
They are cut into two halves transversely.
Boil with water and dilute extract of previous boiling
(kali).
Kali or cheguru is prepared by boiling broken pieces
of kernel, herbs and other tuberous roots available in
forest.
By repeated boilings a dark red colour syrup is
obtained in which the selected nuts are transferred and
boiled till they reduce its volume or its weight to 1/4th
level. Milk is added to the boiling medium to remove
astringency.
Boiled kernels are sun dried for 7-8 days
Graded according to size and quality.

Areca nut processing drum
Rasi kept for drying

Areca nut production methods and fertilizer application

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