Browsing by Author "Vijayangani, M.P.N.N."

Now showing 1 - 2 of 2
  • Thumbnail Image
    Item
    Effect of Organic and Conventional Management of Tea [Camellia Sinensis (L.)0. Kuntze] Cultivation on Soil Productivity and Crop Response of Tea on the Fifth Pruning Cycle
    (Uva Wellassa University of Sri Lanka, 2018) Vijayangani, M.P.N.N.; Mohotti, K.M.; Jayasingha, H.A.S.L.; Herath, H.M.S.K.
    In organic tea cultivation, poor productivity is a major problem despite its all other benefits. This study attempted to assess long term impacts of field grown tea at the fifth pruning cycle under organic and conventional management in the long term TRIORCON trial established at Tea Research Institute, Talawakelle. Organic management treatments included tea waste, neem oil cake and compost and the conventional system was under TRI recommendations on agro inputs. Selected crop and soil indicators were studied. In parallel, beans grown on relevant soils under glass house conditions were used as indicator plants to elucidate short term effects.Data analysis was undertaken using SAS statistical package by analysis of covariance. Results revealed that chemical parameters of organically treated soils differed significantly (P < 0.05) from those of the conventionally treated soil. Soil pH was within the suitable range in the four treatments. Soil organic carbon contents in organic (Compost) and conventional systems were 3.69 and 2.60%, respectively. Total N content (%) was 0.40 and 0.26 under organic (Compost) and conventional systems, respectively. Soil exchangeable K shown in organically treated soil (Tea waste) was 116.25 ppm. The highest soil available P was determined in the conventionally treated soil, 53.75 ppm. The highest biological richness was exhibited as 66.42 CFU mg-1 in the organically treated soils (Tea waste) whereas the lowest richness (30.25 CFU mg-') was observed in the conventionally treated soil. The overall yield drop in this organically treated cultivation system was 25% lesser than that of the conventionally treated tea. Shoot length and shoot: root ratio of beans was not significantly (P > 0.05) different. Proper crop and soil fertility management with organic systems is expected to maintain the organic system to be healthy and also to ensure premium price for the product while demonstrating environment and social benefits.
  • No Thumbnail Available
    Item
    Impact of Organic And Conventional Management of Tea [Camellia Sinensis (L.) 0. Kuntz] Cultivation on Soil Productivity And Post Prune Response at Fifth Pruning Cycle
    (Uva Wellassa University of Sri Lanka, 2017) Vijayangani, M.P.N.N.
    In organic tea cultivation, poor productivity is expected despite all other benefits. This study attempted to assess long term impacts of field grown tea at the fifth pruning cycle under organic and conventional management in the TRIORCON trial at Tea Research Institute, Talawakele. Weekly yields over past two pruning cycles, selected crop and soil indicators were studied. In parallel, beans (Phaseolus vulgaris) grown on soils under glass house conditions were used as indicator plants to elucidate short term effects of organic and conventional treatments. Data analysis was undertaken for using analysis of covariance using SAS Statistical package. The results exhibited that chemical parameters of organic soils were statistically significant (P<0.05) compared to the conventional. Soil pH was within the range, 4.50 to 5.50. Soil organic carbon in organic and conventional systems showed 3.69 and 2.60 %, respectively. Total N (%) was 0.40 and 0.26 under organic and conventional systems, respectively. Soil exchangeable K and P levels recorded 130.25 and 53.75 ppm in conventional treatments and the lowest values recorded for exchangeable K from organic as 41.00 ppm and P from the organic as 3.25 ppm. Except Mn, other chemical parameters were statistically significant (P<0.05). As at the 4th pruning cycle, the overall yield drop experienced in organic tea was 16.8% as compared to the conventional. The lowered tea yields could be compensated with the price premium gained in organic tea. The growth response of field grown tea and shoot length and shoot: root ratio of beans were also positive under organic management although not statistically significant (P>0.05). Overall results showed the importance of proper crop and soil fertility management in organic systems to ensure a healthy system and to maintain as a sustainable crop without stress conditions in organically maintained tea while demonstrating environment and social benefits. Key words: Organic agriculture, conventional, soil chemical properties, crop parameters, yield of tea