Enriched Vermicompost for Application in Tea Soils of North Eastern India

Abstract

There is an increasing emphasis on reducing the input of chemical fertilizers in tea production and use of more organic inputs which can help to maintain soil health as well as sustain yields in the long run. A field experiment was initiated in 2008 at the experimental tea farm of Tocklai Tea Research Institute (TTRI), Jorhat, Assam, to study the suitability of alternate sources of organic manures for use in the planting pit at the time of planting of two tea clones TV1 and S.3A/3 in 105 × 60 cm spacings. Three manures viz., conventional cattle manure, P-enriched vermicompost and nomal vermicompost were used @ 250 g per pit by mixing with excavated soil from planting pit. Results indicated significantly higher growth stem girth in young tea in the P-enriched vermicompost treatments over normal vermicompost @ 250 g per pit and conventional cattle manure @ 4 kg per pit. Use of P-enriched vermicompost as planting pit mixture also resulted in saving of fertilizer cost considerably.