Arecanut Cultivation (Areca catechu L.)
Chromosome Number: 2n = 32
Arecanut, scientifically known as Areca catechu, is widely grown in countries like India, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Thailand, the Philippines, and Myanmar. It is mainly cultivated for its kernel, which is a popular chewing substance, particularly in Asia. The crop covers an estimated 473 million hectares globally, yielding about 703 million tonnes. In India, Karnataka alone contributes approximately 38% of the total production. Its center of origin is believed to be India and the southeastern regions of Asia. In 2015-16, the average productivity recorded was 1610 kg/ha.
Botanical Description
Arecanut is a tall, slim palm from the Arecaceae family, growing up to 15–20 meters. The inflorescence is a spadix with several branches, bearing both male and female flowers.
Floral Characteristics:
- Male Flowers: Have 3 petals and 6 stamens.
- Female Flowers: Larger in size with a single-celled ovary, trifid stigma, and no stalk (sessile).
Each mature spadix typically bears about 294 female flowers and 21,000 male flowers (1 female: 71 males).
Root System:
The radical root dies early, and adventitious roots develop from the base. Primary roots are ~1.4 cm thick and darken with age. Most roots are found within 1 meter radius and up to 60 cm depth.
Leaves:
Mature palms have a crown of leaves about 2.5 m in diameter. Leaves are paripinnate and 1.0–1.5 m long. Each leaf has a long sheath and 30–50 leaflets, with the middle ones being the longest. Typically, 7–11 leaves are present per palm, retained for two years, and about six new leaves emerge annually.
Fruit:
Fruits mature 8–9 months after pollination. Each spadix sets about 50–400 fruits, which are fibrous ovoid drupes. The mature fruits are yellow to orange with 6–7 mm thick pericarp. The seed or “nut” weighs 5–7 g and varies in shape.
Pollination:
Male flowers release pollen between 9:00 AM and 12:00 PM. Female flowers become receptive only after male flowers complete shedding, ensuring cross-pollination.
Soil and Climate Requirements
Arecanut thrives from sea level to 100 meters elevation in regions with 75–150 cm of well-distributed rainfall. It prefers deep, well-drained soils.
Propagation
The crop is propagated through seeds.
Recommended Varieties
| Variety | Growth Habit | Nut Shape & Size | Yield (kg/palm) | Recommended Regions |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mangala (VTL-3) | Semitall | Round, small | 3.0 | Coastal Karnataka & Kerala |
| Sumangala (VTL-11) | Tall | Oval, Medium | 3.28 | Karnataka, Kerala |
| Sreemangala (VTL-17) | Tall | Round, Bold | 3.18 | Karnataka, Kerala |
| Mohitnagar | Tall | Oval to Round, Medium | 3.67 | West Bengal, Kerala, Karnataka |
| Mettupalayam | Tall | Elongated, Small | --- | Coimbatore district, Tamil Nadu |
| Thirthalli | Tall | Oblong, small | 2.00 | Malanad region, Karnataka |
| Sreevardhan | Tall | Round, Medium | 2.00 | Coastal Karnataka & Kerala |
| South Kenara | Tall | Round & Bold | 2.00 | Coastal Karnataka & Kerala |
| SAS-1 | Tall | Round & vertically flattened | 5.60 | Valley cultivation in Malanad Karnataka (Zone-9) |
Raising Planting Material:
Mother palms must be high-yielding, early bearers, and over 10 years old. Select fully ripe nuts weighing over 35 g. Sow these nuts 5 cm apart in sand beds with the stalk facing up. Transplant three-month-old sprouts to secondary nurseries (1.5 m wide beds), applying 5 tonnes/ha of decomposed manure. Seedlings are spaced 30 x 30 cm and provided with partial shade.
Seedling Selection:
Select 12–18 month-old seedlings with five leaves and a high Seedling Index (SI).
SI formula: (No. of leaves × 40) – height.
Choose shorter seedlings with 5–6 leaves and SI > 90.
Planting and Inputs
- Spacing: 2.7 m × 2.7 m = 1370 plants/ha
- Manure: FYM @ 20 kg/plant
- Fertilizer: 100 g N, 40 g P₂O₅, 140 g K₂O/plant/year, split into two doses (pre and post-monsoon)
Apply 1/3 dose for 1-year-old plants, 2/3 for 2-year-olds, and full dose from the 3rd year onward.
Planting Alignment:
Align in a North–South direction tilted 35° west. Use areca leaves or shade trees to protect the southwest rows. Dig pits of 90 × 90 cm, fill half with topsoil, cow dung, and sand. Plant the seedling at collar level and press the soil firmly. Intercrop with banana as a nurse crop. Ensure proper drainage with 75 cm deep channels.
Cover Crops:
- Mimosa invisa
- Stylosanthus gracilis
- Calapogonium muconoides
Harvesting and Processing
Harvesting takes place from November to March. For chali processing, ripe nuts are sun-dried for 40–45 days, turning weekly for uniform drying. For tender nut processing, fruits should be harvested at six months maturity, boiled, and dried.