Journal of Experimental Agriculture International

Betelvine (Piper betle L.), a perennial evergreen creeper belonging to the family Piperaceae, is an economically and culturally significant crop widely cultivated in India and other South and Southeast Asian countries. Anthracnose caused by Colletotrichum capsici is a major disease of betelvine (Piper betle L.), causing significant losses under humid, bareja conditions. The present study was conducted during 2022–23 in betelvine-growing areas of Madhya Pradesh to assess disease severity, seasonal progression and varietal response to anthracnose. Ten randomly chosen plants and leaves in each field were assessed using a 0–5 disease grading scale, and the per cent disease index (PDI) was computed using established methods. Monthly observations in bareja circumstances were used to track the progression of seasonal diseases. Furthermore, without the use of fungicides, betelvine cultivars were assessed for resistance in natural epiphytotic settings. PDI scores were used to categorise cultivars and collect disease severity data.  A roving survey revealed that disease severity ranged from 0.00 to 18.90 per cent PDI, with the highest incidence recorded in Rithi village of Katni district, while the disease was absent in Mandla district. Periodic observations showed that disease severity increased from July and reached a maximum during September (32.00% PDI), followed by a gradual decline and complete disappearance from January to April. Screening of betelvine cultivars under natural epiphytotic conditions revealed differential reactions, with cultivar SGM-1 exhibiting a resistant response and Mahoba Bangia, Gandhi Pan and Utkal Sudam showing moderately resistant reactions. The study emphasises the role of seasonal factors and host resistance in the management of anthracnose of betelvine.