Journal of Tea Science Research. 2015, Vol. 5, No. 7, 1-6
5
disease management (IDM technology) in tea.
Integrated Nutrient Management (INM) and
its application:
Complete elimination of inorganic fertilizer is not
possible in tea plantations. Integrated nutrient
management, in which diverse sources of nutrients are
harmoniously mixed, can meet the nutrient requirements
to a large extent. In tea, the concept of manuring is
based on replacement theory i.e., what is removed
from soil by the plant during its growth is given back
to soil, thus maintaining the level of these nutrients in
the soil. The sources of organic matter in tea fields are
tea pruning, shade tree litters, loppings and weeds.
Due to the over use of chemical fertilizer the health of
tea soils are affected in terms of soil enzymes. To
prevent this, it is essential to reduce the use of
chemical fertilizers. Due to the high fertilizer requirement,
chemical fertilizer cannot be totally eliminated from
the tea husbandry. Adoption of sound cultural
practices will be helpful in maintaining or enriching
the organic matter status of the soil. It will help in
reducing the excess dependence on inorganic
fertilizers and in the efficient utilization of applied
fertilizers. Integrated nutrient management with
biofertilizers will help to reduce the usage of chemical
fertilizers without adversely affecting the production.
The work in this direction assumes significance for
improving the soil health and to sustain higher
productivity of tea.
The results of the seedling nursery experiment
indicated that application of biofertilizer with 50%
reduction in inorganic fertilizers registered desired
growth parameters. This can be adopted in nursery
conditions instead of using 100% of IOF, which is
practiced all three years. Results also indicated that
integration of biofertilizer along with IOF can reduce
the cost where 100% IOF application is expected.
According to the soil biota, incorporation of
bioinoculants enhanced the soil microflora thereby
the soil health has been improved. Application of
bioinoculants alone may found on par with growth
characteristics of nursery grown control plants, but
considering soil health, bioinoculants alone keep the
soils “FERTILE” in terms of soil microflora. New
plantation INM trial showed higher biomass
productivity in 50% and 75% IOF combination with
bioinoculants treatment next to 100% IOF. But this
trial must be continued for confirming the efficiency
of those treatments.
The nutrients required by crop plants are generally
supplied through chemical fertilizers. However,
continual use of agrochemicals may adversely affect
soil productivity. Excessive use of inorganic also
results in environmental and ground water pollution.
Use of Biofertilizers becomes essential at this juncture
to maintain soil productivity and to supply nutrients to
the plants in an eco-friendly manner. Integrated
Nutrient Management involves the use of organic
manures, bio fertilizers with a view to reduce the
quantity of inorganic sources of nutrients without
affecting productivity. Bio fertilizers such as
Azospirillum
brasilense
(Nitrogen fixer), Phosphate and potash
solubilizing bacteria (
Pseudomonas putida &
Burkholderia cepacia
) and VAM (Vesicular Arbuscular
Mycorrhizae – mineral mobilizer) are extensively used
to make available more quantity of nutrients to the
plants so as to increase the productivity with reduction
in the use of inorganic fertilizers. In this connection,
UPASI TRF has conducted a series of trials and based
on the results, it was found out that, by incorporating
Biofertilizers the quantity of chemical fertilizers can
be reduced by 50%. The efficient strains have been
commecialized and available in the market under the
brand name Biodyn –N (
Azospirillum
) and Biodyne–P
(Phosphate solublizing bacteria) for commercialization to
benefits of tea industry. The residue of manufactured tea
and coffee was reclaimed to check their compatibility
with Plant Growth Promoting Rhizobacteria and their
shelf life was studied. The bioinoculants was compatible
with the tested carrier materials like tea and coffee
waste. On the shelf life observation, viability of PGPR
was supported by tea waste and followed by coffee
waste even after 120 days of incubation.
More research are underway for the new molecules
and alternate recommendations are required for
effective management of blister blight diseases using
safer chemicals. Approaches are needed with field
objectives to meet the increasing demand for an
effective disease management in tea.
