A CRITICAL STUDY OF IRRIGATION PRACTICES FOR BETELVINE IN THE SELECTED AREA

The present study was conducted to focus irrigation practices applied for betelvine cultivation in the selected area. Betelvine required frequent but light supply of irrigation kept the land at moist constantly. Farmers who had sufficient water supply all around the year, preferred to grow betelvine crop. Surface irrigation was followed in most of the betelvine gardens. Some gardens were on drip system of irrigation. Betelvine in summer season required more water whereas in rainy season, it required less. In rainy season, proper surface drainage system was required. Now a day's some farmers face scarcity of water. To overcome this problem, some farmers constructed ponds in their farms. High quality poly thin papers were spread in the ponds to preserve water. In rainy season, there was excessive water which was stored in farm pond and it was used in summer season due to the scarcity of water. Excess irrigation and stagnation of water must be avoided. Betelvine grew under good supply of soil moisture humidity. It grew vigorously in areas where a required rainfall was assured. Betelvine was grown in open but conservative wind supply. The betelvine was grown strongly and healthy in the natural environment. If favorable conditions were not available, betelvine could not grow with appreciations. As was the case with other crops, climate and other environmental conditions considerably influenced the growth of betelvine. But, it was difficult to specify an ideal of the average climate for this plant. Sangli district held the best environments for commercial betelvine culture. The tropical rain forest provided cool shade, considerable humidity and adequate supply of moisture in the soil. Moderate and even temperature through the year was most favorable. Such conditions were favorably available in areas of Miraj and Walva tahsil of Sangli district. Cultivators of Sangli district acquainted with the required factors for the smooth growth of betelvine leaves. Although, betelvines favored tropical humidity, Sangli district cultivators grew in several places where irrigation facilities were made available. They provided cool shade; humidity and other feasible atmosphere were created for betel leaves cultivation.