Long-term impact of nitrogen and potassium fertilizers on yield, soil nutrients and biochemical parameters of tea

A field experiment was conducted with tea cultivar UPASI-9 over a period of 9 years to evaluate the long-term effects of nitrogen (N) and potassium (K) fertilizers on yield, biochemical parameters, soil and leaf nutrient status. The yield increase was as high as 66% over the control for N application of 450 kg ha(-1) year(-1). Polyphenol and amino acid contents increased with increase in K application rate. Positive and significant correlation was found between nitrate reductase activity and the amino acid content of the tea shoots. While ammoniacal nitrogen in the soil was not affected by the application of fertilizer, ammonium acetate extractable K increased. The failure! to apply fertilizer resulted in depletion of the organic matter status of the soil. Although increased rate of nitrogen application increased the overall yield of made tea (kg ha(-1) year(-1)), the specific yield (kg kg(-1) N) declined. The soil tended to become acidic from frequent application of high doses of nitrogenous fertilizer. The leaf NK status was significantly influenced by the various treatments. (C) 2004 Society of Chemical Industry.