Effect of different phosphorus sources on yield and quality of tea (Camellia sinensis) in a hill acid soil

Abstract

A field experiment was conducted during 1983-88 to evaluate the effect of 2 sources of phosphorus on yield and quality of130-year-old China hybrid tea [Camellia sinensis (L.) O. Kuntze]. Single super-phosphate and mussoorie rockphosphate Were thesources of P. Four levels of P (26.2, 52.4, 78.6 and 104.8 kg/ha) increased the yield of tea by 16.8. 10.2, 9.8 and 3.1%respectively. However, P sources showed nonsignificant effect. Graded doses of P through single superphosphate and mussoorierockphosphate significantly increased the status of available P (3.6, 5.3, 6.8 and 9.2 kg/ha) and Ca (0.34, 0.43, 0.50 and0.62 meq/100 g) in the soil. The P application also improved the quality of tea.