Abstract:
Variations in requirements for tea production in Kenya and factors controlling
growth and production of secondary metabolites responsible for the quality parameters are
indicative of the need for non-uniform recommendations. Nitrogen is the main nutrient for
which tea shows easily demonstrable yield and quality responses. Fertilizer applications at
rates between 100 and 250 kg N/ha/year of NPKS 25: 5: 5: 5 are currently recommended in
tea production. Although yield and black tea quality variations with nitrogen rates had been
observed in the past, the studies were at single geographical locations. Where comparisons
were done at different locations, the genotypes were different making it impossible to isolate
environmental and genotypic effects. The response of single genotype to varying rates of
nitrogen in the major tea growing areas has not been reported. Consequently, it is not …