| Betelvine is an evergreen climber with heart-shaped leaves. It is known as “Paan” in Hindi. There are archaeological evidences that the betel leaves (Paan) have been chewed from very ancient times. In Indian traditional medicinal system betelvine has been used for its remedial properties. It is mainly cultivated in Madhya Pradesh, Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, Assam, Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu and West Bengal. Cultivation under controlled condition is practiced in areas where relative humidity is often low and temperature remains high (above 40°C) in summer and low (below 10°C) in winter. Cultivation under controlled conditions (Panwari) is practiced in Bhanpura. Panwari is a hut like structure which provides shade and humid condition to the crop. Shade and humid condition is also favourable for fungal growth also. In Bhanpura we found two major types of diseases 1) caused by insects and Mites and 2) by microorganism (Bacteria and fungi). Common diseases of betelvine are Foot rot, Stem rot, Leaf rot, Yellow leaf disease, Leaf spot, Wilting,
Sooty Mold, Red spider mites and White fly. We identified six pathogenic soil fungi, which are responsible for major fungal diseases of betel vines. Aspergillus sp. was reported in all soil samples of all seasons. Comparatively more fungi were found in rainy season than in winter and summer.
Keywords: Betelvine, Foot rot, Fungi, Leaf rot, Panwari, Paan, Stem rot.
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