Effects of different types of compost on yield and yield related parameters of young tea [Camellia sinensis (L.) O. Kuntze]

A field experiment was carried out to observe the suitability of alternate sources of organic manure for application in the planting pit during tea plantation. Generally, it is advised to use 2 kg well decomposed cowdung with 30 g TSP and 15 g MOP in the pit. In this experiment, we used three different types of compost as treatment viz. Vermicompost (T₁), Farm yard compost (T₂), Water hyacinth compost (T₃) and Decomposed cowdung as the Control (T₄) along with recommended chemical fertilizers. Growth, development and yield related different parameters were observed and recorded during the first five years after planting. Base diameter, number of branches and fresh weight per plant were not significantly different for treatments at decentering stage but in the successive years these were varied significantly with treatments. At the end of 5^th year after planting, highest number of branches found in T₄ (21) and found statistically similar with T₁ (18) and T₃ (18) whereas the lowest was found in T₂ (16). Similarly, base diameter was maximum in T₄ (33.0 mm) which was statistically similar with T₃ (32.9 mm) and T₁ (32.5 mm) but different with T₂ (28.9 mm). However, yield of tea was not significantly different for treatments.