2007 - Centre for Ecological Sciences - Indian Institute of Science

Fertilizer and Manure ApplicationFertilizers are applied in larger doses for areca (0.6 t/ha) than for paddy (0.4t/ha). On the other hand, paddy gets greater quantities of organic manure(4.8 t/ha) than areca (2.9 t/ha).There has been a drastic reduction (about 90%) in the application of organicmanure to the croplands. Although there is land legally earmarked assoppinabetta for supplying green manure for areca, neither green leavesnor dry leaves from forest are used as manure, and gliricidia, which exists inabundance on bunds and is a good source of leafy manure, is hardly used.Trends in Crop YieldsHalf of the areca-cultivating households reported reduction in yield overthe past 5–10 years, 38% reported an increase and the rest reported nochange. The reduction in yield can be attributed to koleroga infection,which can reduce yields by up to 21%. In the case of paddy, 36% householdsreported increased yields, an equal proportion reported no change and therest 28% reported reduction. Increase in yield can be attributed to suchhigh-yielding varieties as Jaya and Bhagyajyothi.Wild boars are a major vertebrate pest, which can cause losses of paddyyields from 50% to 100%. Monkeys are a menace to areca, and can causelosses up to 50%.% change100806040200ArecaPaddyIncrease Decrease No changeTrends in crop yields11