Effect of Soil Micronutrient Status on the Fermentation Characteristicsand Organoleptic Quality of Nigerian Tea
2009
The status of micronutrients (Cu2+, Zn2+, Fe2+ and Mn2+) in soils and
foliage of three commercial tea clones 68, 143, and 35 collected from
the Ardo-Gore tea estates of the Mambilla Plateau in Gongola State of
Nigeria was evaluated. Leaf samples were also batch-processed and
examined for fermentation characteristics including average
fermentation time and organoleptic cup quality, and analytical quality
indices, namely total phenol and tannin. Results showed that while Cu
and Mn contents are adequate, Fe and Zn are marginal. A high negative
correlation was obtained for soil Fe and leaf Cu (r = 0.98) and Zn (r =
1.00) probably due to substitution ability of these essential nutrients
which could have limiting consequences on the fermentation process.
Leaf Cu showed a significantly positive relationship with total phenol
and tannin contents of the samples (r = 0.77 and 0.73, respectively)
while the relationship between leaf Zn and total phenol (r = 0.64) was
statistically insignificant. Sensory evaluation of the samples from the
three clones showed that close 35 had the least fermenting ability and
poorest cup quality. This trend was in agreement with the levels of
leaf Cu, Zn, total phenol and tannin of the samples, indicating high
variability in clonal requirements of micronutrients for physiological
and processing functions.
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