Abstract
As the most important cultural practices for tea production, single effects of nitrogen (N) and potassium (K) fertilization on yield are well documented but their dynamics are poorly understood. It was necessary therefore to assess the dynamics of nitrogen and potassium in tea cultivation environment as influenced by fertilizer application rates. This objective led to a comprehensive field investigation in strongly acidic soils tea plots at Tea Research Foundation of Kenya, Kangaita substation in Kerugoya using clone TRFK 11-4 ina 3 × 3, N × K factorial RCB design. Treatments were nitrogen (0, 100 and 200 Kg N·ha-1·yr.-1) as urea and potassium (0, 40 and 80 Kg K2O·ha-1·yr.-1) as Muriate of potash (MoP) replicated thrice. Tea yield, plant biomass and plant nutrient concentrations were measured for calculation of plant nutrient uptake. Nutrients accumulated in the plants and removed from harvest were considered as nutrient loss, while fertilizer was considered as nutrient inputs gain to soil. In the interaction, there was no much difference between N-K treatments and crop N removal except mature and maintenance leaves, but there was a positive linear relationship between N applied and the yield of made tea and negative linear relationship between K applied and yield of made tea. The results from the study also showed that fertilizer inputs generally surpassed the crop nutrient demands (nutrient loss from harvest).
Highlights
Tea (Camellia sinensis), is one of the most important perennial crops in the highlands of Kenya
It was necessary to assess the dynamics of nitrogen and potassium in tea cultivation environment as influenced by fertilizer application rates
The soils in the study site are reasonably uniform, have characteristic red clay humic loam, and are strongly acidic. These soilsare classified as acrisols.The field was planted with tea clone TRFK 11-4 at a spacing of 1.22 m by 0.61 m (4 ft. by 2 ft.) rectangular
Summary
Tea (Camellia sinensis), is one of the most important perennial crops in the highlands of Kenya. It is a significant cash crop used for domestic consumption and export. Nitrogen is a critical nutrient for tea production, but it is difficult to optimize nitrogen (N) fertilizer applications because of the dynamic nature of plant-available N over the growing season. Nitrogen is used in the production of protoplasm, proteins and chlorophyll and is the primary building block for all plant parts. Nitrogen applications should be carefully managed, in tea, to optimize marketable yield while minimizing environmental effects. Optimal N rates of tea vary depending on clones and location and range from 75 to 150 Kg N/ha·yr.−1
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