Arecanut (Areca catechu L.)

The physical, chemical and biological health of the soil is important for sustained crop yield and plant health in perennial crops. Acidic laterite soils support a vast majority of arecanut grown in India. High rainfall, undulating topography, leaching of potassium (K+) and calcium (Ca2+), phosphorus (P) fixation and high zinc (Zn) fixing capacity are some of the important characteristics of laterite soil. Nutrient concentrations in soils, soil pH, cation exchange capacity (CEC), soil organic carbon (SOC), varieties and age of the plants affect nutrient uptake by plants. Arecanut, being a perennial crop, needs better management throughout the growing period. Thus, the soil health plays a major role in growth and productivity of arecanut. The soil health should be assessed regularly, and the crop need is met as per the requirement for sustained production. Crop waste recycling through vermicomposting, use of microbial consortia, soil test-based nutrient application through organic and inorganic sources, practices of conservation agriculture and growing more than two crops per unit area for diversity in plant population are some of the technologies useful for maintenance of soil health and higher productivity. Studies conducted in arecanut-growing regions indicated improvement in soil health due to adoption of cropping/farming system approach, recycling of wastes through vermicomposting, and other practices like mulching, green manure application, etc. which were measured in terms of microbial activity in soil, increased soil fertility parameters and yield of crops. These practices also helped in overcoming negative impact of climate change.