Efficacy of nutrient uptake and nutrient status of tea through organic and inorganic fertilizers under agro-ecosystem in North-West Himalayas

A trial on tea (Camellia sinensis (L.) O. kuntze)was conductedduring 2006–2009 to studytheeffects of some selected biomass compost viz. tea skiffing litter and Albizzia litter on nutrient uptake and nutrient status of tea. The results showed that tea skiff litter exhibited higher values of organic carbon (1.10 to 1.18%) compared to Albizzia litter (0.96 to 1.18%). Albizzia incorporation resulted in higher values of available NPK build up inthe soilduring I^st and II^nd year while during III^rd year tea skiff compost resulted in slight improvement in NPK build up and hence, uptake. The effects on Ca, Mg and S were found to be significant in case of Albizzia compared to tea skiff during I^st and II^nd year. During final year of experiment, contrary to 1^st and 2^nd year, the tea skiffing litter recorded higher build up as compared to Albizzia litter.