Tea (Camellia sinensis)
Composition of tea nursery mixture is as follows:
| Ammonium phosphate (20:20) | 60 parts |
| Potassium sulphate (or) Muriate of potash |
24 parts 20 parts |
| Magnesium sulphate | 16 parts |
Stock solution: Dissolve 30 g of the mixture in 10 litres of water. This can be sprayed over 2 m2 (450 plants) at weekly interval.
Rates of fertilizer application for young tea in soils with pH below 4.5 are given below:
| Age | N:K2O:MgO kg/ha/annum | No. of splits |
|---|---|---|
| 1st year | 180:270:30 | 5 |
| 2nd year | 240:360:40 | 6 |
| 3rd year | 300:450:50 | 6 |
| 4th year & above | 300:300:50 | 6 |
Apply phosphorous at 90 kg/ha every year in one application.
Rates of application for soils with pH between 4.5 and 5.5 are as follows
| Age | N:K2O:MgO kg/ha/annum | No. of splits |
|---|---|---|
| 1st year | 180:270 | 5 |
| 2nd year | 240:360 | 6 |
| 3rd year | 300:450 | 6 |
| 4th year & above | 300:300 | 6 |
Rates of application for soils with pH above 5.5 are as follows (use water soluble P):
| Age | N:K2O:MgO kg/ha/annum | No. of splits |
|---|---|---|
| 1st year | 180: 60:180 | 5 |
| 2nd year | 240:80:240 | 6 |
| 3rd year onwards up to 1st pruning | 300:100:300 | 6 |
Method of application
- Apply the recommended quantity of mixtures along the drip circle of plants.
- In the semi-circular furrow taken above the plant on the slope, using a Kokra-eyebrow method, apply the fertilizers when there is adequate soil moisture and when the fields are free from weeds.
- Punch holes of 15-22 cm depth in the soil on either side of the plants and place the rock phosphate.
