Effects of nitrogenous fertilizer rates, plucking intervals and location of production on the micronutrient levels of clonal black tea.

Abstract

Micronutrients are important to both animal and plant life. In plants, the levels can vary widely due to biotic and abiotic factors. Tea is widely grown and its beverages are claimed to be the most widely consumed fluids after water. Some factors causing changes in tea growth and yields, and hence nutrients assimilation include location of production, fertilizer application and harvesting policies. Influence of location of production, nitrogenous fertilizer rates, and plucking intervals on clone TRFK 6/8 black tea micronutrients were investigated. The micronutrients levels significantly (P≤ 0.05) varied with location of production. Although Mn and Se levels were not influenced by nitrogenous fertilizer rates, Fe and Zn (P≤ 0.05) increased while Cu (P≤ 0.05) decreased with an increase in nitrogen fertilizer rates. Plucking intervals had no influence on clonal black teas micronutrients …