Effect of organic and inorganic fertilizers on growth, yield and nutrient use efficiency of clonal tea (Camellia sinensis)

Abstract

Abstract. Mokaya BN, Chemining’wa GN, Ambuko JL, Nyankanga RO. 2018. Effect of organic and inorganic fertilizers on growth yield and nutrient use efficiency of clonal tea (Camellia sinensis). Cell Biol Dev 2: 15-26. This research observed how to boost tea yields in small-scale tea producers using inorganic NPK fertilizers yearly while the cost of fertilizers has been rising, resulting in a decrease in net returns. The influence of different rates of organic and inorganic fertilizers on the soil chemical characteristics, growth, yield, and nutrient usage efficiency of clonal tea was investigated in an experiment. In the 2014/2015 production year, experiments were put up in Kianjokoma, Embu County. Organic Rutuba® and inorganic NPK fertilizers were employed (26.5.5). No-fertilizer control, 625 kg NPK/ha, 937.5 kg NPK/ha, 1875 kg NPK/ha, 625 kg Rutuba/ha + 625 kg NPK/ha, 625 kg Rutuba/ha, 937.5 kg Rutuba/ha, and 1875 kg Rutuba/ha were the treatments. These treatments were repeated three times in a randomized full-block design. Green leaf yield, black made tea yield, leaf length, and leaf breadth were among the crop statistics obtained. The soil data collected at the trial included the pH, exchangeable acidity, organic carbon, micronutrients, and macronutrients. Plant utilization efficiency for nitrogen, phosphate, and potassium were also measured. The cost and net revenue of each fertilizer treatment were calculated as well. The data were subjected to analysis of variance, and the least significant difference test was used to separate the groups at p 0.05. Adding organic Rutuba to the soil raised the pH and the amounts of Mn, Cu, Fe, Zn, Ca, and Mg. Compared to the no-fertilizer control and farmers' practice, the application of 625 kg Rutuba/ha + 625 kg NPK/ha resulted in enhanced leaf length, breadth, fresh green leaf yield, and made tea yield. According to the findings, the application of Rutuba fertilizer considerably improved agronomic efficiency, apparent nutrient recovery, and partial factor productivity of N, P, and K compared to inorganic NPK fertilizer. The study also found that applying NPK 26.5.5 at rates more than 625 kg/ha did not affect growth, yield, nutrient usage efficiency, or net returns. However, because organic Rutuba has a low macronutrient level, the study indicated that it should not be used alone in tea manufacturing. More research is needed to discover the best NPK and Rutuba fertilizer mix, as well as the influence of organic Rutuba fertilizer on tea quality.