Effect of Foliar Applied Nano NPK on Growth, Quality and Yield of Tea (Camellia sinensis (L) O. Kuntze) under Assam Condition

Abstract

In order to assess the efficacy of Nano NPK (Liquid) on growth and yield attributing character, quality and yield of tea and to replace the traditional NPK mixture commonly applied in tea, field experiment was conducted at Tocklai Tea Research Institute, Jorhat, Assam. The area was planted with TV-23 at a spacing of 120cm x 70cm. The experiment was laid out in a randomized block design with 3 replications and 6 treatments. The treatments comprised four doses of Nano NPK (800, 1600, 2400 and 3200ml/ha), NPK mixture (2:1:2) @ 2% and one untreated control. Urea, DAP and MOP were used in NPK mixture. Different doses of Nano NPK and NPK mixture mixed with water separately as per treatment and were sprayed on the foliages of tea bushes with a spray volume of 400 L/ha. The nutrient solutions sprayed at monthly interval from June to November.  Results of the study revealed that significant variations were observed in yearly mean values of no. of plucking points/m2 and fine shoot percentage. The highest values (123.67 No./m2 and 48.67%) of both the parameters were recorded under Nano NPK @ 2400ml/ha.  This treatment also recorded the highest made tea yield (1497 kg/ha) and net return (₹ 48361.40/ha) which was closely followed by NPK mixture @ 2:1:2 (1483 kg/ha and ₹47657.20/ha) over rest of the treatments though the treatment effect was not found to be statistically significant. Therefore, Nano NPK @ 2400ml/ha can be applied in tea as an alternative to NPK mixture @ 2:1:2 without reduction in yield.