Pest, disease and weed incidence and crop yield as influenced by organic culture in tea [Camellia sinensis (L.) O. Kuntze]

A field investigation was conducted in the Experimental Garden for Plantation Crops, Department of Tea Husbandry & Technology, Assam Agricultural University, Jorhat, Assam to study the incidence of pests, diseases and weeds in organic tea cultivation and yield of tea. Organic culture in tea was found to influence the ecology of the cultivated area. Incidence of tea mosquito bug (Helopeltis theivora) and red spider mite (Oligonyclus coffeae) was relatively higher in the organically treated plots. Disease symptoms were not observed in these plots. Significantly higher predator population, weed intensity and weed biomass were also recorded in organic tea cultivation. Plants under organic treatments produced comparable yield as that of inorganic treatment.