Vol. 12, Special Issue 7 (2023)

Author(s):
Sujaina M, Sarvajna B Salimath, Gowthamchand NJ and Sowjanya TV

Abstract:
An investigation on the relation between drainable porosity and leaf tissue concentration of healthy and hidimundige affected gardens of Chitradurga district, Karnataka was made during 2018-19 to delineate the causes for hidimundige syndrome in areca nut. Soil samples were collected at 60 cm away from the trunk of areca nut from both healthy and affected gardens. Similarly, leaf tissues from corresponding healthy and affected garden were also collected from 4^th and 6^th leaf of the areca nut trees. Soil samples were analysed for drainable porosity. In present investigation it was observed that there was decrease in drainable porosity in the hidimundige affected gardens. Drainable porosity had a significant and positive correlation with leaf tissue concentration of Zn in both surface (r = 0.53*) and subsurface layers (r = 0.47*) of affected gardens of Chitradurga district. It was observed that lower drainable porosity of the hidimundige affected gardens could be the cause for decreased uptake of nutrients and hence, lower tissue concentration. This may be responsible for poor shoot growth and modifications in the internodal regions, resulting in abnormal growth and development of areca nut trees.