Effect of Nano Urea on Leaf Nutrients and Some Quality Parameters of Tea (Camellia sinensis (L) O. Kuntze)

Abstract

Some important parameters of tea on mature plants of TV 23 clone were studied after application of Nano-urea as foliar spray at Experimental Garden for Plantation Crops, Assam Agricultural University, Jorhat during the period 2021-2022. The usage of "Nano Urea" (Liquid), a novel product created and patented by Indian Farmers Fertilizer Cooperative Limited (IFFCO), is projected to replace the use of urea granules, one of the most widely used fertilizers in the world. Leaf nutrients i.e., nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium and quality parameters i.e., Caffeine, polyphenol were observed after application of nano urea. Leaf nitrogen, leaf phosphorus and leaf potassium were found to be increased with the application of higher dose of Nano Urea. Leaf nitrogen was observed maximum (4.57%) in the plot where 0.4% Nano-urea applied in three sprays. Total phosphorus content of leaf was found to be the highest in treatment T7(0.423%) the lowest was observed in treatment T0 (0.370%). Total potassium content of leaf was the highest in treatment T7 (2.517%) and lowest K2O content was observed in treatment T0 (2.013%) which was a control. In quality parameters, it was found that application of Nano Urea showed significant impact on the total caffeine content of tea leaf. The highest value of caffeine was found in treatment T7 (3.233%) and lowest was found in treatment T0 (3.10%) (control).