Yield and quality response of tea plant to fertilizers

Abstract

To improve quality and yield of Iranian tea, this experiment was projected and effects of nitrogen (N), potassium (K), magnesium (Mg) and micronutrients (Zn and Cu) fertilizers was studied on yield and quality of tea. The trial conducted by using factorial split-plot design, with three factors in three replications in RCBD. Nitrogen and potassium fertilizers were both distributed in two levels in a factorial form in main plots and Mg and micronutrients were distributed in subplots with four levels. This experiment included ten times plucking. The total yield of each plot obtained from the sum of ten harvests. The percentage of tannin, water extracts and caffeine percentage was measured for qualitative assessment. Therefore, amount of tea leave nutrients (included N, P, K, Mg, Zn and Cu) were measured. Micronutrient applications, especially treatment of magnesium sulphate + zinc sulphate indicated significant effect (p<0.01) on the yield. Urea application had significant effect (P<0.05) on tannin and water extract percentage. Interaction of nitrogen, potassium and micronutrient effect was significant on caffeine percentage (p<0.01). Nitrogen fertilizer showed significant effect on the percentage of tannin and water extract (p<5%). Micronutrient applications indicated significant effect on percentage of P, Zn and Cu. Combination of N+K + micronutrients was significant on the caffeine percentage (p<0.01). Key words: Tea, fertilizers, micronutrients, yield.