Effect of Organic Fertilizer on the Growth of Tea ((Camellia sinensis L.)

This study was conducted at National Tea and High value crops Research Institute, Shinkiari, Mansehra during 2014- 2015. The objective of the experiment was to evaluate the response of different doses of organic fertilizers to the growth of newly planted tea ( Camellia sinensis L., variety, Turkish). Different doses of Hyosung applied as kg/acre were T 0 = Control, T 1 = (400), T 2 = (500), T 3 = (600), T 4 = (700) and T 5 = (800). The data recorded during growth season during 2014 and 2015. Highest plant height (50 & 52 cm), Number of leaves per plant (39.67, 17.75) and Number of branches/plant (7.67, 6.29) were recorded in T 4 respectively followed by T 5 while maximum leaf area was recorded in T 4 (48 cm 2 ) during 2014 and T 3 ( 47.87cm 2 ) during 2015 respectively. Soil samples were collected at 0-20 cm and 21-40 cm depth and analyzed for physico-chemical characteristics. It is revealed that soil was sandy loam in texture with soil pH 6.25 and 2.90% organic matter and was supportive for the good growth of tea crop. A gradual increase in the organic matter content was observed with the increase of fertilizer dose. Soil pH was slightly decreased by the application of organic fertilizer which is a good sign to increase the growth of tea crop.