Collection and Evaluation of Wild Betelvine Germplasm from Andaman Islands

Abstract

Betel vine (Piper betle L.) is a prominent cash crop cultivated for its leaves, with a strong aromatic flavour, which is used for masticatory purposes in combination with lime, arecanut and so on. It finds a significant place in our socio-culturallife and religious ceremonies, besides having a number of medicinal properties. In the earlier literature available, there is no repOlt of betel vine occurring in the wild in Indian mainland (Ellis and Vishnoi, 1989). The Andaman and Nicobar group of islands in the Bay of Bengal is situated between 6°_14° N latitudes and 92°_94° E longitudes with warm and humid tropical climate.